Just starting in bamboo. Using 7'0" and 7'6" 4 weights where I have in past used 8'6-9'0 4 weights in graphite. What advantages
and where would you use a copy of a PHY Midge 6'3" 4 weight as I have been reading the forum and a lot of people are happy with this rod. Thinking
about getting one made by either Beasley or Pickard. Any other makers that you would suggest if the rod is something I could use?
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fishing PHY Midge or other short rods
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 ymc226 |
fishing PHY Midge or other short rods |
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Posts: 1 09/10/2008 11:36 |
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quashnet |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 2151 09/10/2008 12:17 Moderatus Muscae |
At the risk of boring those who have heard this (I am copying some things I've written before), I like the PHY Midge (and many other PHY models) because of
the interplay of strength and delicacy in the rods, these qualities being delivered as you need them. The Midge is springy and strong. When a fish smacks the
fly, the flexible tip protects a fine tippet by bending quickly when a big fish makes a sudden dash. I experienced these qualities three days ago when a fat
brown trout slammed a drifting nymph. The tippet was 6X and might have popped, but the rod tip flexed nicely. Once the tippet was protected, the rest of the
Midge took up the strain and put pressure on the fish. No matter how big a fish you hook on the Midge, you always feel that you have a good chance of landing
it because the rod adjusts its qualities of strength and delicacy as needed.
Maybe this is why Arnold Gingrich used this rod model for all his fishing, including Atlantic salmon (you can read about it in Gingrich's book The Well-Tempered Angler (1965), in the chapter devoted to Paul H. Young and the Midge rod). But while I admire Gingrich, I personally think he went too far in pushing the Midge beyond its design limits. It is a great rod for fishing small streams with dries, nymphs, and even small streamers, where not a lot of mending line is required. Small fish are a joy on this rod and when you hook a big one, you do have the advantage of not feeling outclassed. It is just plain fun to fish, but many lightweight 7'0" or 7'6" rods are a blast too. You just have to decide what kind of fun you're looking for on any given day. I have an original Midge, and have had the pleasure of casting a Pickard Midge. Both rods cast a DT4 line well. Comparing the beautifully-made Pickard to my Midge by Paul Young, I would say that the Pickard had a little less of the strength and springiness in the butt, and more of the delicacy and refinement toward the tip. The subtle difference would come down to a minor question of personal taste, and not a question of whether one rod is "better" than the other. I have not cast a Midge by Beasley or other makers, but there is no reason why others could not do a great job with this taper.
Quashnet's Paul H. Young Rod Database has photos and descriptions of over
330 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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creakycane |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 1821 09/10/2008 12:28 |
If I were in the market, I'd ask John Pickard to build a flamed/ mottled Midge with his best crisp 4 taper he has (the one tending toward a 5) and get it
with dual bands. I believe this is as close to a PHY Midge as you will get, and John is very familar with the best of the PHY tapers and will steer you in the
right direction. Ditto all that quashnet said. I would say that I do not feel the Midge is a small stream rod, but rather a medium trout rod in a small
package..... Cosmetically, like the 5wt Pickard Perfectionist below (medium mottle with gold wraps or darkly mottled with dark wraps - equally nice).
Last Edited By: creakycane 09/10/2008 12:35.
Edited 1 time.
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Flyfishbill |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 1004 09/10/2008 12:44 |
I own and fish a Summers 6'4" Midge and love it. I also own three Pickard rods - 7'3" 5 wt; 7'6" 4 wt; and a 7'9" 5wt.
All three are beautiful and are casting machines. John is raising his prices, by $100.00, on October 1st. I'd give him a call.
Bill
FFBill
Go Bucks! |
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Gnome |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 1702 09/10/2008 13:34 King of the Gnomes |
another similar taper to consider would be the Dickerson 6611 just 3" longer and it is right up there with the Midge in the gnomes scroll
Jeff |
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uniphasian |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 1857 09/10/2008 13:54 Moderator |
Is that 6611 the rod you made me cast that the FF show earlier this year? The one we were casting to the back wall beyond the casting pool? That little thing was a monster.
- Uni
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quashnet |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 2153 09/10/2008 13:56 Moderatus Muscae |
The top photo shows the Pickard Midge that I had an opportunity to cast a couple of years ago. The lower photo compares the appearance of this Midge to an
original Paul Young Driggs, circa 1953-55.
Quashnet's Paul H. Young Rod Database has photos and descriptions of over
330 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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RPL |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 63 09/10/2008 20:09 |
On these shorter, lighter rods, what type of stripping guide did the builder use? In the interest of saving weight and maximizing flexibility, would a simple
snake guide be best? Or do you think a regular stripping guide is better? Or is the difference minimal?
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quashnet |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 2154 09/10/2008 20:38 Moderatus Muscae |
Paul H. Young reportedly used a snake guide in the place of a stripping guide on his earliest Midges. Later, he used a simple, all-metal stripping guide.
Quashnet's Paul H. Young Rod Database has photos and descriptions of over
330 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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Gnome |
reply to uniphasian | #9 | ||
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Posts: 1703 09/10/2008 21:57 King of the Gnomes |
uni,
It was that one or was it the 7' Hawes/Kosmic taper ? another great one with out a doubt. Both where doing it in your hands if I remember correctly. and I do Fish big waters with both tapers. and have a hoot doing it!!!!! Jeff |
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rsagebrush |
Midge | #10 | ||
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Posts: 514 09/13/2008 08:56 |
Ron Kusse's rendition of the Midge is a great short rod and just perfect with a 4wt. |
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Berry Point |
PHY Midge | #11 | ||
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Posts: 366 09/13/2008 09:40 |
AJ Thramer's rendition is also superb, and a real bargain at the price.
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rsagebrush |
Leonar/Payne | #12 | ||
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Posts: 517 09/14/2008 16:43 |
Horseshoe-
Which end is which?? |
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pmag |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 324 09/14/2008 19:21 |
I have a Cunningham PHY Midge taper I used for the first time this week on the N. Branch of the AuSable. I fell in love. I tried it in the back yard with
several lines. So far I like a WF 5 Sharkskin. The biggest fish was a scrappy 16" brown. I am as enthused as Gingrich.
Last Edited By: pmag 09/14/2008 19:29.
Edited 1 time.
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- Members Corner
- Forum Announcements
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Quick Reply
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