Interested in Fly Fishing - Orvis Class & Questions

October 31, 2017, 10:41 AM

Just to let you know what the top end bamboo rods go for:

High End Bamboo Rods.....Holy Chit!!!!!

No, I don't have one, the only ones I could maybe afford are the Orvis on the second page. My top fly rod is a Sage. If I won the lottery tomorrow or married a insanely wealthy widow, I would get a bamboo rod from here:

Tufts and Batson

They are located in Maplewood MO (suburb in St. Louis County).

Here is a video of them making a bamboo rod:

Tufts and Batson Making a Fly Rod

October 31, 2017, 02:06 PM

slabsides45

Yeah... no. I can't afford that, and even if I could, I'm unsure it would be something that would be on my priority list.

Still reading up, and waiting for the SIL to get his "Wild Water" startup kit tonight. Then we'll see how it casts vs the entry level Orvis stuff.

I've seen an Echo Base that is getting good reviews, and seems to come from good bloodlines. Anyone familiar with them? Also still liking the Bean Streamlite.

________________________________________________

"You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving."
-Dr. Adrian Rogers

October 31, 2017, 03:53 PM

jhe888

Bamboo is totally different than graphite. They are softer and much slower in feel, and they can't cast as much weight as equivalent graphite rods. Lovers of bamboo go on about how "intimate" they feel and how much feel they have. I don't really know much about bamboo, having only used a borrowed one once. I think they are probably harder to use, especially if you are used to the feel of graphite.

October 31, 2017, 04:53 PM

I still use my Curt Gowdy Parametric rod the most. Just look on ebay for refurbished graphite rods that have broken tips.

October 31, 2017, 08:32 PM

gw3971

quote:
Originally posted by 41:
I wouldn't spend more than $100 on your first fly rod. Check out Ebay for used rods that are in good condition. The graphite rods may be light weight but they break easily.

I still use my Curt Gowdy Parametric rod the most. Rods are like a new car. Once you make the first cast, the value drops in most cases. Here is a search for 5 weight rods:

https://www.ebay.com/b/Fly-Fis...9%2527&rt=nc&_sop=15

Here is a nice Temple Forks starting at $79. You can find some great deals from about now to spring since the demand goes down.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Templ...e:g:XcYAAOSwvR5Z6VNm

This! no point spending a lot on a rod when you are going to spend plenty of time hung up in the bushes. Until you can pick up a rod and feel the difference between medium and fast action there is little point in owning them.

October 31, 2017, 10:34 PM

YellowJacket

If you want a slow rod, check out the Redington Butterstick, a smooth glass rod at a great price point.

October 31, 2017, 11:20 PM

goose5

If you are going to get into this learn to tie your own flies. I've never had a class. Just get out there and learn for yourself what works and what doesn't. I've snapped off 100's of flies, and lost them on the back cast. Everyone is different. I remember as a kid I'd go out to the sidewalk and vision the street as the river and practice. Keep your line short to begin with and soon you'll get the hang of it and let out more line. Its not that hard.

November 02, 2017, 11:22 AM

slabsides45

This forum is the best! I'm sitting around at work perusing all the things that I can get sucked into buying (resistance is futile...) and get an email from a sigforumite (lookin' at you, Chip) and he took time to send me the trout stocking schedule for Tennessee!

BTW, my SIL got in his Wild Water "Deluxe" rod and pole, and to our inexperienced minds it is a great buy for the money. Definitely has more flex than the Orvis Clearwater rod did, but that seemed to help us load the rod and get almost easier casting. Does that make any sense? Anyhow, I ended up ordering an LL Bean rod b/c of the warranty and positive reviews, and plan to compare the two and decide if it goes back and I order my own (less expensive) set from Wild Water.

November 02, 2017, 06:47 PM

gw3971

You will love trout fishing. It's a passion all its own. One of the nice things about trout is they tend to live in beautiful places. Make sure brown trout is on your must catch list. They are beautiful and worthy adversaries.

November 03, 2017, 07:29 AM

YellowJacket

quote:
Originally posted by slabsides45:
This forum is the best! I'm sitting around at work perusing all the things that I can get sucked into buying (resistance is futile...) and get an email from a sigforumite (lookin' at you, Chip) and he took time to send me the trout stocking schedule for Tennessee!

BTW, my SIL got in his Wild Water "Deluxe" rod and pole, and to our inexperienced minds it is a great buy for the money. Definitely has more flex than the Orvis Clearwater rod did, but that seemed to help us load the rod and get almost easier casting. Does that make any sense? Anyhow, I ended up ordering an LL Bean rod b/c of the warranty and positive reviews, and plan to compare the two and decide if it goes back and I order my own (less expensive) set from Wild Water.

Slower rods (more flex) are usually easier to learn on because they are more forgiving. But they are less accurate and you cannot get as much line speed.

If you play golf, its a bit like cavity backs vs blades.