The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

I hate shopping for rods. For one thing, it's supposed to be an enjoyable experience. I have watched some guys walk into the fly shop and pick up the new Sage XYZ rod in 4,5,6,7,8 all at one time, but that's not me because frankly I can't drop 10K on a new line of rods. When I buy a rod, it is usually an event for me because I have a family and 2 kids.

So here's my point. How do you "shop" for rods? You can read about them until you're blue in the face. I have fished several other rods while on the river with friends, and that seems to be the best, but I only fish with a few people and they only own 3-5 rods each. You get the picture.

Can you really tell how a rod is going to turn over an indicator, weight, and a 3-D with a gold stone dropper while you're standing in the fly shop parking lot? I would say certainly not.

Everyone always says that a fly rod is a personal choice, but is that really true?

The Fly Shop in Redding is going to start selling a rod that they claim is "specifically designed for indicator fishing" that we do primarily in this area. Scott is making this new rod and the Fly Shop is puting their name on it. The cost is apparently about the same as other high end rods $600+. I might consider "rolling the dice" on one of these new rods if the cost weren't so high, but unless it is a "known" name, it would be hard to resell if I ended up not liking it once I spend a month or two with it. The Chico fly shop makes rods under their own name, somewhat related to Powell I guess. I know people that have their rods, but here again I'd just be rolling the dice as to whether I'd actually like the rod after a month or two of fishing.

I suppose I'm just ranting, but I'd like to know how others "shop" for rods.

Tight lines.

Have you looked at building your own rod. Sounds to be that a rod specifically designed for turning over an indicator, etc, would be right up the alley for a Switch Rod in 6 wt.

I knew I had read about rods for bobber fishing with a fly reel somewhere. Ouch, the price is steep!

http://www...display&target=SG111

oldtrout wrote:
[quote]I knew I had read about rods for bobber fishing with a fly reel somewhere. Ouch, the price is steep!

I have one Sage rod. It's a Z Axis Spey Rod I got from Bjorn at an excellent price. It is also the rod I used on the Deschutes. But, were I in the market for a top quality rod, even a custom rod I didn't build myself I'd go here:

http://www...rods.com/rodbuilder.html

Just peruse his site for some education: http://www.meiserflyrods.com

He and Anderson are probably the two top rod builders in the West today.

He and Anderson are probably the two top rod builders in the West today.

I should have also mentioned Kerry Burkheimer in there too.

Sir Charles,

Remember Dave Drennan(sp)? He use to fish with Kerry and was able to get a Burky for me several years ago. I feel bad about it cuz I've only fished w/ it a half dozen times. We should do some casting practice together on some river when the steelhead arrive. I know that you are a thousand times better at it than I.

I know that you are a thousand times better at it than I

Don't I wish...I just to the point where I can avoid tying knots around my head when I cast...that's about it.

Charlie S wrote:
I know that you are a thousand times better at it than I

Don't I wish...I just to the point where I can avoid tying knots around my head when I cast...that's about it.

That sure sounds about a thousand times better to me!

JSRedding,

I am not exactly clear about what the rod in question will be used for. Dry, nymph,czech nymphing, multiple flies, midging or streamers?

I have different rods for each purpose and have been collecting them for 34 years...in fact, my tag - kinda' explains it all...That's my daughter Ally in my avatar threatening to blow me up if I go into the Winston Rod CO in Twin Bridges...

I have not had the experience of purchasing a rod that I have not used or continue to use. Some of them are no longer manufactured. I play around with different lines and line weights to get the most out of a rod - for my use and pleasure.
This would probably cause the designer to have a heart attack...but it works for me.

Check out this link. Here it is possible to find quality without burning a hole through 'yer wallet...

http://www...enstuff.com/GearList.htm

I have ALWAYS been partial to the old Scott G series, 2 piece rods...



PT/TB

I think your question has many parts but I will start with shopping and testing. These days news about new fly rods travels fast. I go to fly shops and shows and cast rods to get an idea how they cast. It’s hard to judge a rod this because the quality and condition of the demo lines can alter you perception of the rod. Rods fish different than they cast in a parking lot. I think Sage will win the parking lot contest where Scott performs well on the water. I think some of the new rods are nice but I don't feel they are worth the $$$ or that much better than what I have purchased over the years. We have a problem with how the prices have jumped over the past few years for rods and lines.

Over the last 5 years I have only purchased 2 rods at full price. One was in 2005 for my first Alaska trip and the other was this year for a Spey rod for my 13yr old son. I used to wait for rods lines to close out and buy them when they are 30-50% off. What’s the rush to get the new stuff hot off the press? Any rod out there will get the job done it's just a matter of how much effort you need to make it work and how much pleasure you get out of it.

With the current pricing schemes on rods 30% off will not even get me interested. I have been using e-bay to buy older models in mint condition for 1/4th the price of a current model. I have always liked the Sage Sp and recently have been picking them up on e-bay. I was in the market for a 8 wt and was able to get one for ~$200.

I think what you need to do is think back to the time when you when you had a rod that made your heart sing. For PT it was the Scott G-series and for me it's the Sage SP. Then go search e-bay and classifieds for deals on great classic rods. Old Bamboo rods never go out of style and the same should be true for graphite. Times are tough right now and that’s why we can't justify throwing down the big bucks for a rod. Unfortunately some are letting go of their treasures to make ends meet. At some point the rod manufacturers have to get the message that they have gone to far.

Sage once sent me a survey asking how much less a rod should cost with out the lifetime warranty. I was disappointed since the highest choice I could pick was like 11-12% which I felt was way out of the ballpark (too low). I have no plans to purchase new rods at the current pricing when I can get 4 to 1 by other means.

Good Luck,

Jet

I thought guides get pro discounting on rods? Even at 50% off you it's still not an easy decision!

I forgot to mention that 2 of my son's favorite rods are the one's we built at a NCFFB rod bash. One we built together at Pappy's place when he was 9. I built the other in Redding with Pappy's, Charlies, Franks and LeeS help. We had some great times at rod bashes and mini bashes. After our trip to AK Joey said he wanted a 8wt and I asked what he had in mind and he said he wanted to build one of his own.

Jet

Jet,

Guides have to be in the manufacturer's program to get a discount. I am not sure if The Fly Shop has a guides program, since they have their own guides.

As for choosing a rod, I usually go by the feel when casting in the "parking lot." There is not much else you can go on if you are not out fishing with a lot of people to be able to try their rods out. So far I have not spent over $400 on a rod. I just cannot justify it with the limited time I have for fishing. I have several that are collecting dust, like all my 8-weights. I haven't used one in several years...

Just my $0.02.

Dustin