Hello everyone,
I am relatively new to the forum. I have looked around for a while and decided I would post a couple of questions. I know you get alot of request from
newbies about what rod, etc, but I am interested in getting a 8.5' 5 or 6wt fly rod. I know alot of people fish and recommend 8' models, but I fish
several tail waters in Arkansas and Oklahoma, as well as some smallmouth creeks up in the ozark mountains. Right now I mainly fish one of 2 rods. An old
fenwick fiberglass 6wt for bass, and an old Winston IM6 for trout and smallmouth.
I was pretty much in the 8' camp until I got to cast a really nice 8'6" 5wt 2pc Winston built by Glenn Brackett. I thought it was an exceptional
rod that felt like it could throw a wide range of flies as well as control line realy well. It just felt right. I know that Glenn is no longer with Winston,
and I am not sure about the current craftsmen there, but I would like some other possible suggestions on makers with a 8'6" 5wt or 6wt in there
lineup.
I am currently leaning towards sweetgrass, sense I feel they could come very close to the Winston. I have also read that Clark makes a good 8'6" rod.
Are there any other makers you guys can think of, or rod models I could look at?
Thanks for all of the help.
Mike Fielder
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8.5' 5wt or 6wt
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 magicmike.thebasspond |
8.5' 5wt or 6wt |
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Posts: 1 08/28/2007 17:44 |
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bobbeegee |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 1042 08/28/2007 18:13 |
If you're not limited to new makers, I would suggest a Granger 8642. A wonderful 8 1/2 for a 5 or 6.
Not a very big investment for your first bamboo rod. Bob |
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greg hall |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 32 08/28/2007 19:37 |
Mike,
Two tapers and makers come to mind. The first is an 8' 6" Western Trout by AJ Thramer. This is a hollowbuilt 6wt. 3 piece rod and the taper is specificly designed for larger streams. AJ thinks this is one of his best taper designs. The second rod is a Dickerson 8615. This is an 8' 6" 2 piece rod for a 5 wt. line. I was fortunate to cast fishnbanjo's original of this rod and it just plain knocked my socks off with it's smooth power and finesse. You can check but I would bet that Wm. Abrams (aka Streamer) has this taper. Streamer makes some of the absolute best Dickerson clones and his finish work is impeccable. I hope this helps you a bit. Greg |
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 flyfishermann1955 |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 68 08/28/2007 22:04 |
Mike, Welcome to the board. I have an 8.5' Heddon #14 with a 1 and 3/4 ferrule. I've used it for fishing nymphs on the Lower Illinois and Lower Mt
Fork with a DT-5 and WF-6. It's a nice trout rod, but you would probably want a heavier rod for bass. Are you a member of the 89er Chapter of TU of the
Prairie Fly Fishermen? There are several guys in those groups who have bamboo rod collections and would most likely be happy to discuss options with you and,
more importantly, let you cast a few more rods.
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canerodscom |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 1412 08/28/2007 22:54 Bamboo preacher |
Hi Mike,
Sounds like we fish the same waters. I'd be happy to have you try out some of my rods if we're in north Arkansas at the same time. Or stop by my booth at the FFF Conclave in October and try anything I have available. Harry
Harry Boyd
maker@canerods.com http://www.canerods.com |
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jaybird |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 880 08/28/2007 23:21 |
Try to get your hands on a two-piece E.C. Powell "B" taper rod of that length and line weight to try.
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canenut |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 475 08/29/2007 09:32 |
I second the Granger 8642 motion.
The trout takes the fly, the line tightens and it's like I was blind, but now I
see.
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tedgolden |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 2236 08/29/2007 10:16 Moderator |
When using a rod of that length on the Arkansas tailwaters I usually reached for an Orvis Limestone Special. That said, if a Clark or Sweetwater rod were in
the budget, I would quickly move in that direction. I'm not sure why, but that isn't surprising.
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pvansch1 |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 2732 08/29/2007 10:29 Moderator |
Anything in the Phillipson family of 8.5' rods would do the trick.
Paragon Pacemaker Will fall into the more afforadable rods. Pete |
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Ken M 44 |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 1846 08/29/2007 16:14 Immoderatus Britannicus |
My current favourite 8'6" 5wt ... and it is a 3/2
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magicmike.thebasspond |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 2 08/29/2007 20:50 |
Wow!! Lots of good information. Hey Flyfishermann1955, you should deffinitly try out bass fishing. It has actually become my favorite form of fishing in
the late spring, summer, and early fall. I mainly fish the upper Illinois and several of its tribs for smallmouth bass. Many off the smallmouth bass creeks
in this area are actually spring fed and supply the bass with cool water all year. This makes them very active, and alot of fun to fish. Then in late fall,
winter, and early spring I trout fish. I have tried a heddon rod before, not sure what model but it was a nice rod. I have been borrowing a south bend rod
until I get one purchased, and I still rotate the graphite, and glass rod in for some action, but something about the bamboo rod has really captured my
interest.
Hey Harry, I should be at the conclave this year, and I hope to come by and take a look at your work. I have herd some great stuff about your rods. As a matter of fact I overheard someone braging on a 7wt rod they bought from you. It sure looked like a nice rod. I really appreicate all of the information and help. I am going to try as many rods as I can before I purchase one. At this price I want to make sure I am getting the right rod for me.
Thanks, Mike |
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Horton Creek |
#11 | |||
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Posts: 467 08/29/2007 21:25 |
If someone you know has a Phillipson Dry Fly Special try to cast it. A very good 6 wt in the $600-$700 range which you could fish while you are waiting that
1-2 years for your custom ordered rod and then sell at what you paid for it. There are many great new makers that I am sure you would be pleased with their
work. I personally have an 8'3" 5/6 wt on order from Glenn at Sweetgrass that I plan to use for smallmouth and large or western condition waters.
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Corcut |
#12 | |||
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Posts: 89 08/30/2007 05:21 |
Horton Creek-
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magicmike.thebasspond |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 3 09/01/2007 09:31 |
Thanks for all of the good information, but I have a couple of more questions now that I have talked to several fishing buddies who fish with bamboo. The
first question is about Penta and Quad rods. I understand that Quad rods are 4 sided and the Penta models are 5 sided and hex rods are 6 sided. What
differences do each one design have, and which one would be a good all around design for fishing? I believe the Winston was a Hex but I could be wrong. I
have done some searches and found that most people consider quad and penta rods somewhat faster in action than the hex design, but it sounds like those
opinions are just relative. Thanks for all of the help.
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troutbumwannab |
#14 | |||
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Posts: 87 09/02/2007 02:13 |
I have a 7' 9" Gierach Sig from South Creek and it's hands down the nicest rod in my collection. I have 2 more on order, the second of which I
should be getting sometime in September (Gierach / Best Special Taper) in a 8 1/2 foot 6 wt config. Will let you know how it casts, but I can already tell you
how it' will look - beautiful! While I like my Howells, Wes Jordan, Edwards, Maurer, and Spittler (all in the 8 foot range - 5 wt.) I wanted a slightly
longer and beefier rod and my first thought was South Creek. The only down side is the wait - past 4 years, but to me (and many others) it's worth it!
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magicmike.thebasspond |
#15 | |||
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Posts: 4 09/03/2007 23:02 |
Horton Creek,
Check you inbox. Thanks, Mike |
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