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 glassorcane |
Modern Maker Driggs ?? |
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Posts: 227 12/09/2007 22:03 |
The Driggs River Special usually pops up somewhere in the posts on "What's your favorite rod between 7 - 7.5 ft?", or "What rod for
Pocketwater?", etc. Who has owned/cast/fished a modern maker's version of the Driggs River Special? What are your impressions on line weight (as
previous postings describe some lighter and some heavier versions), and which maker would you recommend based on your ownership/casting/fishing experiences?
Thanks - Rick |
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jtmr |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 97 12/09/2007 22:29 |
FWIW, I believe Jeff Wagner's 7'3" 4/5wt Patriot is based on a Driggs taper. This rod is a blast to cast and fish.
Jim |
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quashnet |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 1615 12/09/2007 22:32 Moderatus Muscae |
I am fortunate in owning an early Driggs (later rods tended to have heavier tips), and it could easily be anyone's favorite. The most similar rod to it
that I have cast is the Summers 735. Though it was years ago, I remember making casts with the Model 735 that were a bit more deliberate than with the Driggs:
the line uncoiling, the leader turning over, the fly settling with precision and delicacy. Perhaps a five weight line for short casts in pocket water, or a
four-weight for longer casts in quiet pools. The Summers Model 75 might be worth a look too.
Quashnet's Paul H. Young Rod Database has photos and descriptions of 290 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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Dread Pirate Robert |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 40 12/09/2007 23:15 |
I had a Driggs River Special done by Mike Brooks. But my favorite fishing rod is a 7'6" rod made by Mike Brooks with a Driggs River butt section and
tips stretched four inches.
You can't go wrong with a Driggs. |
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paxlev |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 608 12/10/2007 10:40 |
"Denver" Dave Collyer has been building his Driggs variant for years, and his work, including finish, are among the best. Ric
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creakycane |
John Pickard | #5 | ||
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Posts: 1288 12/10/2007 10:49 |
Other than Summers, for any Young-style rod. Ask him to dark flame it.
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seattlesetters |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 125 12/10/2007 14:04 |
Bob Lancaster makes a very nice version of the Driggs. He calls it the "Savage River" and it handles a DT-4 beautifully for pocket water and
rapid-fire casts, and a WF-5 for longer casts and bigger flies. It is a pure joy to cast and fish.
I love mine as both a small-stream rod and for pinpoint work on larger streams. |
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glassorcane |
Thanks | #7 | ||
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Posts: 228 12/10/2007 19:00 |
I had forgotten about some of these builders that you all have mentioned. - Thanks for your recommendations!
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Trout120 |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 675 12/10/2007 21:59 |
Tim Zietak. Superb.
T120 |
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quadrate |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 18 12/10/2007 22:34 |
Rick,
Tim Zietak
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cwood |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 416 12/11/2007 09:57 |
I like Wagner's version. His taper seems to cast better at short ranges than the others I have handled (which has not been many). A little too much rod
for some of the smallest streams I fish, but my favorite all around rod for medium to large streams and any warm water fishing (i.e., bass, sunfish) It is a
5dt to me.
CWood |
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alpom |
#11 | |||
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Posts: 251 12/12/2007 11:29 |
John Pickard 725
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bocash3 |
#12 | |||
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Posts: 199 12/16/2007 22:43 |
Beasley Driggs and Summers 735.
I have owned two of the former, still have one, and have cast the latter but do not own one. Several 735's popped up on Ebay recently but went beyond my comfort level in pricing. For now, I can take a Beasley Driggs and never have a need for any other rod in that length/line configuration.
##################
Making friends with the long rod since 1957 <*))))><{ Protect the resource www.TableRockAngler.com |
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NorthBranch |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 8 12/26/2007 15:23 |
I have cast one of Dave Collyer's Driggs and thought it just cast beautifully. I have him making me a PHY midge taper right now, but may switch to the
Driggs. He showed me a Driggs snakewood mortised that he had almost completed and would have to say it was one of the nicest rods I have ever seen.
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gclark |
John Pickard model 725 | #14 | ||
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Posts: 79 12/27/2007 18:12 |
I agree w/Creakycane, John Pickard builds an excellent version of the Driggs.
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JDENO |
#15 | |||
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Posts: 6 12/28/2007 17:20 |
Maybe a little out of place here and not in the same league as the rods mentioned... however. I picked up a Driggs River taper blank from one of the EBay
sellers last spring. After reading about the rod here I thought it would be something different since after 20+ years of FF I could not roll cast for beans.
This rod coupled with a Rio Selective Trout DT4 compensates for my lack of skill. I have a closet full of mostly graphite rods and this is the only stream
rod I used last year. It is just a fun rod. I was not looking for authenticity - just a fun rod.
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Flyman615 |
Zietak Driggs | #16 | ||
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Posts: 2457 01/07/2008 21:02 |
T120 and all:
I just acquired a Driggs taper rod on a blank by Tim Zietak. Sure feels nice in the hand and I really like the Young-type flaming. I can't wait to get it on the water! Thanks for all the input via this thread. Regards, Flyman
Last Edited By: Flyman615 01/07/2008 21:04.
Edited 1 time.
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 bulldog1935 |
#17 | |||
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Posts: 4800 01/07/2008 21:24 Bulldog1935 |
just throwing this up for an aside.
Glass rod-maker Mark McFarland has copied the Driggs taper in a glass blank. |
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glassorcane |
McFarland Driggs | #18 | ||
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Posts: 236 01/07/2008 21:31 |
I saw that over on the glass board, but I am surprised that it was described as slow action. Rick
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bulldog1935 |
#19 | |||
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Posts: 4802 01/07/2008 21:40 Bulldog1935 |
for most people thinking 5-wts, and considering the load curve a 7'2" rod would need, plus a semi-parabolic mid, it's going to seem slow to most
folks not familiar with cane. Took me awhile to get used to my first semi-parabolic rod - I wanted to put a 4-wt. on it.
The tip is what's fast. |
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