PHY's Para 14

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David Dornblaser	PHY's Para 14		Lead	[-]
Posts: 305 06/16/2009 19:03	Tags : None My preference in rods has been evolving and, surprise, surprise! I am beginning to appreciate the tapers that those who have been fishing the same waters that I do but for many more years prefer. In particular, PHY tapers. I search this board for threads/posts about the Para 14 but it seems that while there is a lot of comments about PHY's Driggs, Perfectionist tapers, the conversation, for the most part, skips over the Para 14 and resumes with Para 15. I was wondering what folks thought of the Para 14 and if there is as much taper variation with that rod as there is with the Perfectionist? Is it a true 5 wt? I have cast the Para 15, and liked it, but not the Para 14. I am thinking early season leeches, double nymphs, hoppers; with the ability to fish close in as well with a single size 18 fly? - David www.UpperMidwestFlyFishing.com - fly fishing in the Upper Midwest. Spring Creeks to Smallies to Steelhead. Last Edited By: David Dornblaser 06/16/2009 19:06. Edited 1 time.
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quashnet		#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2613 06/16/2009 19:48 Moderatus Muscae	I have found references to a total of four "Para 14" rods built by PHY, and listed these in the PHY database. One rod was 7'3", one was 7'6", and two were 8'0" in length. It seems almost certain that few Para 14s were made (which explains the lack of user comments) and that the rod remained experimental and never became a truly standardized model. The only person who I ever knew to have cast one said there was a "hitch" in the cast, and speculated that PHY never fully worked out the Para 14 to his satisfaction. This would be in contrast to the 8'0", 14 ferrule Special Dry Fly rod, which PHY considered a success, as did owners such as artist Walt Weber and /photographer Luis Marden. Some of the Martha Marie rods are semi-parabolic five-weights, so possibly this is where to look for the capabilities you are seeking. My own Martha Marie enjoyably handles the full range that you list in your final sentence. Quashnet's Paul H. Young Rod Database has photos and descriptions of over 460 PHY Co. rods, plus catalogs, accessories, etc. Thank you to all who continue to send me PHY rod photos and info.
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David Dornblaser		#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 306 06/16/2009 20:03	That's interesting. What caught my attention is that Chris Carlin offers a modified Para 14 and Sweet Waters rods offers a Para 14 taper modified by George Mauer, both of which are 7'9" 5 wts. What really caught my attention is that Dennis H, troutwings, listed the Para 14 as one of his favorite PHY tapers along with the Perfectionist. I appreciate your comment about the MM, but this is more of a learning exercise than a quest to fill a gap in the quiver. Although, in the years to come, it would be nice to own PHY tapers in Driggs through Para 15. - David www.UpperMidwestFlyFishing.com - fly fishing in the Upper Midwest. Spring Creeks to Smallies to Steelhead. Last Edited By: David Dornblaser 06/24/2009 11:31. Edited 2 times.
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David Dornblaser		#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 307 06/16/2009 20:22	Interestingly, I just checked Summers and Pickard's site, Summers does not offer a 7'9" 5 wt but Pickard does. - David www.UpperMidwestFlyFishing.com - fly fishing in the Upper Midwest. Spring Creeks to Smallies to Steelhead.
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BlackHillsBill		#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2846 06/16/2009 22:23	David, A few years ago I picked up a Bob Lancaster Parabolic 14 7'9" 5 wt he was selling on ebay. I got it at a very good price BIN, but haven't seen it offered since, not even through Len Codella, who carries his rods. I was completely pleased with the rod (still am) and started a little thread on it. I recall A. J. Thramer's saying it was his own favorite Young taper, and at the time he was offering that taper as well. Mine handles a DT5 very well. But I have great affection for Cortland Clear Creek WF lines, and I think this rod is matched perfectly with a WF5. I like it for all my spring-creek fishing, big water or small. R.W. Lancaster's Parabolic 14 is beautifully finished, as pretty to look at as to cast. Sometimes it's overlooked that Dick Spurr included Lancaster, for very good reasons, in his Classic Bamboo Rodmakers Past and Present (1992), as one who "fell in love with the early Paul Young fly rods and became fascinated with how [they] were constructed." Sometimes one finds just the rod he'd hoped for. This was my time. I have an e-mail address, a mailing address, and a phone number for Robert Lancaster--all a few years old I'm afraid--but will be happy to send them to your mailbox here if you're interested. BHB Try "Lancaster Parabolic 14" on the search here, and you'll come up with some of that discussion I mentioned. Last Edited By: BlackHillsBill 06/16/2009 22:31. Edited 1 time.
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Flyman615	Para 14's	#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 3273 06/16/2009 22:41	And I have a hollow version made by Chris Carlin which I also use with a DT-5, although in a pinch I've found a WF-5 works almost as well. To me, it's very nearly the perfect all-around trout rod. No kidding. Last year at the First Annual Black Hills Cane Conclave, held in Spearfish City Park alongside BHB's fifth wheel and attended by three of The Faithful, I found much to my delight that my Carlin is a virtual twin to BHB's Lancaster right down to the cosmetics. The actions appeared to be almost identical as well. But after all, imitation is indeed the sincerest form of flattery...even with cane rods. Best regards, Flyman " Individuality is the salt of common life. You may have to live in a crowd, but do not have to live like it or subsist on its food." Last Edited By: Flyman615 06/16/2009 22:47. Edited 1 time.
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JohnI		#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 83 06/17/2009 04:26	I have Chris Carlin's modified Para 14 and love it. I would say it is probably my favorite rod. I am usually on the Kankakee about every Sunday if you want to try it out. John
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bearbutt	Para 14s	#7	[url]	[-]
Posts: 273 06/17/2009 08:13	I have an 8' PHY Ace with a 14 ferrule from the early 1950s--and it's an awesome taper, pretty much my go-to rod. It's a true 5 weight--more delicate than a para 15, and yet you can push it hard when you need to. I had for a while a Pickard 795. Like most of John's rods, it was beautifully made, but the rod and I never quite got along, and I sold it. I didn't mic out the rods to compare the tapers, but somehow the 3" seems to make a difference. It could have been the cane too--the Ace has very even flaming. I don't know if anyone is making an 8' 14fer based on the ones Quash has in his database, but it might be worth an experiment--. I'd actually love the idea of a hollowbuilt 8' PHY with a 14 ferrule--Joel, are you out there????? bb
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glassorcane		#8	[url]	[-]
Posts: 275 06/17/2009 23:17	I have a Pickard 795. I find it an easy, fluid caster, requiring less effort than my other rods. Its really something with a fish on. Rick
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cwood		#9	[url]	[-]
Posts: 614 06/18/2009 08:21	I owned a Pickard 795 for a short bit and I never really liked the taper. I cast a Thramer P14 once and remember thinking it was an awesome rod, thus my pursuit of the Pickard rod when I saw one for sale. Something was very different...... the Pickard was less parabolic and just didn't feel right for me and my casting stroke. I then had the opportunity to cast a John Gallas 7'9" 5 wt. parabolic rod, and WOW! That was the nicest casting parabolic rod I've ever handled, possibly one of the nicest casting rods I've ever handled period. If you are interested in that configuration I highly recommend chatting with Mr. Gallas about his rod. CWood
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SecondHandWolf	PHY's Para 14	#10	[url]	[-]
Posts: 134 06/18/2009 10:05	There's an interesting thread on www.rodbuilding.com in which Chris Carlin discusses his modifications of the Para 14 taper published by George Maurer: http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/index.php?showtopic=13796 . And there's a another thread on the same forum: http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/index.php?showtopic=17113 regarding the Para 14. Secondhandwolf
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rsagebrush		#11	[url]	[-]
Posts: 569 06/18/2009 10:06	I have the Gallas 7'9" 2pce parabolic and it is indeed a very nice taper. Fishes small dries to medium sized buggers quite well - a very good all around rod.
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SecondHandWolf	PHY's Para 14	#12	[url]	[-]
Posts: 135 06/18/2009 10:08	CWood . . . say more about your casting experience of Gallas' 7'9" 5wt parabolic . . . . Please. Secondhandwolf
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cwood	Gallas	#13	[url]	[-]
Posts: 615 06/18/2009 11:10	My experience was limited to one day of fishing the rod on a Southeastern tailwater and another day just lawn casting. I met a fella fishing cane on one of my local rivers, which doesn't happen that often, and we ended up swapping a couple rods, chatting cane, and fishing together for the day. He and several of his fishing buddies fish Gallas rods. At the time I had only heard of Gallas in passing since he isn't a name that gets brought up that often, but since then I realize he has a loyal following of cane fishermen up and down the east coast and has been making rods full time since the mid 80s.. His rod had finer tips than a PHY P15 I've cast, but easily flexed deep in the rod for that para kick. It was a true 5 wt. in my hands, and I usually over line a rod, at least for close range fishing. It cast really well up close, which isn't typical of true para rods from what I've seen, but once you got about 15 ft. of line out it was sublime. Once some line was out much of the action was from a slight hinge just north of the stripping guide down to the handle. It was a terrific dry fly rod while fishing BWO in size 22 with 12-15 ft. leaders and 6-7x tippet. I also fished it with a streamer at the recommendation of the owner to show how well it did with weighted flies. I was hesitant since it wasn't mine and it was quite light in the hand, but it could launch out bead head WBs with no problem. It was definitely an eye opening experience as to what can be done with para tapers. Gallas designs his own tapers and is very knowledgeable, especially of traditional Catskill makers and tapers. I believe it was Banjo that mentioned how great this taper was and that it reminded him of a Payne Para. I'm no taper scientist so sorry for the laymen terms. I realize it's all quite subjective. I hope that helps. CWood Last Edited By: cwood 06/18/2009 14:14. Edited 4 times.
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57Clemson	para14	#14	[url]	[-]
Posts: 24 06/23/2009 22:49	A friend and I made para14 blanks on our MHM's using the taper in Hexrod with a 14 ferrule. We found them extremely tip heavy with a generally heavy feel. My friend added lead to the reelseat to attempt to balance the rod. He gave his away and I didn't complete mine. Fishing this rod all day would wear me out. Perhaps if we had hollow built the blanks our results would have been more pleasing a heavy ree
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crcaddis		#15	[url]	[-]
Posts: 321 06/24/2009 13:00	I made one a couple years ago, and I like it with a WF5.....Its comfortable at 25-50' overhead, a good roll caster out to 35-40' or so, but it's not great in close. If I use a very aggressive double haul, I can hit 75'-80' pretty consistently........Not bad for a bamboo 5wt. Cheers.
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