Chinese Imports

Re: Chinese Imports

feeds@yuku.com (Old Baleine) — Thu, 14 May 2009 22:02:33 GMT

I bought a two piece a few months back. On the fourth or fifth cast I felt something give as I started the forward stroke, and even though I eased off, I couldn't stop the follow-through forward. I watched as the tip shot down the line into the river. At first I thought it had come loose at the ferrule, then I saw the loose threads hanging off of the distal end of the butt, and realized it broke off below the female ferrule. The break was as clean as a saw cut. Four or five casts. With...

Re: Chinese Imports

feeds@yuku.com (scott bearden) — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:06:00 GMT

Finished rods have been solicited to some rodmakers for between $60 and $80 so consider the markup when you buy one from any of the US sources. You are talking a roughly 1000% markup from US distributors. I think Zhus is catching on though because he is marketing them directly on the devil's marketplace for around $150, undercutting US distributors significantly.

I do my best to purchase the best I can afford or do without. My first car was a 1995 Kia Sephia, the first year...

Re: Chinese Imports

feeds@yuku.com (greg hall) — Wed, 13 May 2009 10:59:30 GMT

It seems to me that the Chinese made rods are filling pretty much the same niche in the market place as H-I and Montague once did. If they had originaly been marketed here in an honest way I think they would have been accepted more easily even though their initial quality was pretty poor. I think the real problem has been the shady marketing of them by the stateside distributors. To claim that a mass produced blank that is landed in the U.S. for around $100.00 or less is equal in quality to...

Re: Chinese Imports

feeds@yuku.com (wb4tjh) — Mon, 11 May 2009 22:49:11 GMT

I think I'll stick with the experienced American rod makers with proven track records for my primary rods. But I might pick up a Chinese blank, ferrule it and build it up myself out of curiosity. At least that way, I wouldn't have much invested in it. Most of the problems I have heard about with the Chinese rods have been breakages at the ferrules.

Re: Chinese Imports

feeds@yuku.com (fango) — Mon, 11 May 2009 03:37:48 GMT

pvansch1 wrote:
I've handled both series rods from Highland Mills.
The "American Series" rods are on parr of that of any high end rod being produced by todays. makers.
The Imported rods quality has improved drastically.

I agrees with pvanschl, imported rods' quality has improved.
It depends on the buyer actually, they can ask for a good quality rod for a reasonable price or
...

Re: Chinese Imports

feeds@yuku.com (pvansch1) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 08:37:07 GMT

I've handled both series rods from Highland Mills.
The "American Series" rods are on parr of that of any high end rod being produced by todays. makers.
The Imported rods quality has improved drastically.

Re: Chinese Imports

feeds@yuku.com (oysterbamboo) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:38:36 GMT

flyflingerandy1 wrote:
Now, how about the Highland Mills American series, which are, by the way, made in America, presumably in the same fashion that SB, H-I, etc made their rods back in the early 20th century. Does that rod fall under the stigma of the Chinese product, or because it is built here (with, more than likely, the same components), is it held to a higher standard?

Because Highland Mill's (TeaStick)...

Re: Chinese Imports

feeds@yuku.com (DarkstarCrashes) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:20:34 GMT

Zhu's bamboo rods cost the same as a TFO Professional, a pretty common beginner rod. I can't see the problem in someone starting off with a bamboo rod as opposed to a graphite one. Eventually, they will want to step up, we all know how the boo bug works. I think more people getting introduced to bamboo would be good for all the makers that would get their future business. Would you rather see people stepping up to a nice American-made boo rod or a high-end graphite, like an Orvis...

Re: Chinese Imports

feeds@yuku.com (bulldog1935) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:22:28 GMT

I could be wrong, but I believe there is only one Chinese bamboo fly rod manufacturer/exporter, with different distributors here in the US.

Re: Chinese Imports

feeds@yuku.com (Tom Smithwick) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:14:48 GMT

I stopped by a Cabela's store yesterday and checked out a couple of the Chinese made rods. Basically, they are fairly priced for what they are. The cane work reminded me of some of the old production rods. The fine outer fibers are all gone, and if you look closely at the nodes, you will find some evidence of rough edges, but nothing really objectionable, or likely to fail. The glue seams were tight, and the flats were straight and true, which means they must have hit reasonably...

Re: Chinese Imports

feeds@yuku.com (FWdB) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:44:33 GMT

DrLogik wrote:
The question is...who do you want to support? China or USA makers?

My hard earned dollars are going towards US rod makers...without question.

That's not the question here, this has been stated and discussed in many previous topics though. Some could be found with an archive search, others were deleted for obvious reasons. It's a valid personal reason to buy only American,...

Re: Chinese Imports

feeds@yuku.com (flyflingerandy1) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:33:02 GMT

Now, how about the Highland Mills American series, which are, by the way, made in America, presumably in the same fashion that SB, H-I, etc made their rods back in the early 20th century. Does that rod fall under the stigma of the Chinese product, or because it is built here (with, more than likely, the same components), is it held to a higher standard?

Re: Chinese Imports

feeds@yuku.com (DrLogik) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:16:23 GMT

The old adage,"You get what you pay for pay for" applies to bamboo rods also. I love to fish and love to feel the feel of a classic or "modern" classic rod. The Chinese knock-offs don't compare....at all! The difference is much more pronounced than the graphite/plastic counter-parts from, say Winston or Sage and Temple Fork. Premium rods made here in the USA are better. Yes, they cost more, but in the long-run....which, really, would you rather fish? Remember,...

Re: Chinese Imports

feeds@yuku.com (searun) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:55:40 GMT

LEO wrote:
I can not speak for all of the Chinese manufacturers, but the one from which I purchased a reel is decidedly NOT a customer centric merchant. The axle shaft of the reel came loose several weeks after I received it... that is to say, almost two months after the eBay auction closed. The merchants response was the Chinese equivalent of No habla ingles! For the most part, there is no warranty specified, implied...

Re: Chinese Imports

feeds@yuku.com (Blitzen) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:55:50 GMT

Hi Greg,

Since fly rods probably shouldn't break during a backcast, were you able to contact the seller/maker and get the Chinese-made rod fixed or replaced?

Re: Chinese Imports

feeds@yuku.com (searun) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:26:25 GMT

A few years back I decided I wanted to purchase a "new" bamboo rod. After looking around some I decided the only way for me to afford a new one was to purchase one of the Chinese made imports. It had inexpensive components and the cosmetics weren't great but it was a pleasurable 5wt. to cast. I enjoyed the rod for 2 outings and caught some fish on it. On the 3rd. outing I heard a terrible crack on my last backcast with it. It had broken clean off at the ferrule. Upon inspection...

Re: Chinese Imports

feeds@yuku.com (fango) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 04:07:41 GMT

well said....

My 1st bamboo from Zhu's

The quality of this cane is not as bad as people perceived it to be...

Re: Chinese Imports

feeds@yuku.com (Bakerloo) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:16:02 GMT

There are only so many used serviceable low-mid priced rods out there. They aren't making old rods anymore. If the Zhu rods are getting more people fishing cane rods, then I believe that's a good thing. Most people will want to upgrade to a new rod made by a good contemporary maker. The imported rods will serve the same purpose as any other entry level rod. How many people will buy a TFO rod and then later upgrade to a high $$ Winston or Sage. I'm guessing that many will. I think...

Re: Chinese Imports

feeds@yuku.com (cwood) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:44:20 GMT

"........I say give the Zhu's folks another year or two to get better and then have this discussion."

This is already a perennial discussion, monthly may be more accurate.

I don't really have a strong opinion about their rods one way or another, I just cast a couple and didn't like them, and they weren't exactly eye candy either. I don't think they are in the same league with the contemporary makers we all know of, but who knows, that...

Re: Chinese Imports

feeds@yuku.com (flyflingerandy1) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:21:46 GMT

cwood wrote:
"Where do the majority of these rods fall in the spectrum of quality and craftsmanship?"

I would say pretty low.

CWood

Perhaps the real question should be, "How many of these rods have survived the test of time, and are still being fished in original condition?"

cwood, you compared a used graphite rod to a new cane rod. That is...

Chinese Imports

feeds@yuku.com (aquabonito) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 20:12:18 GMT

Has anyone an opinion of the Highland Mills, Teastick, et.al. rods? I have an 8' Teastick. Seems to be pretty good fished with a 6 wt. Is there something wrong with these rods, or is it just prejudice? I have no axe to grind.. just want some IMHO's. I intend it as a gift to my nephew as a learning piece.