Cheap, but OK or even excellent, bluegill flyrods

[John Laudenslager]

I got a 9', 3 wt Cabelas Traveler rod for $100 retail that is nice enough for my trout nymphing that I don't want better. But for bluegill bugging and nymphing, casting under bushes a lot, now I want a 6.5' to 7 something', 4-5 wt, as cheap or cheaper.

There is a neat 2 wt shootout in flyfishohio. Sorry, I don't seem to be able to link to it here. Anyway, the rods tested were lighter and pricier than I have in mind. So, I'd love to see a cheap-but-OK-or-excellent-bluegill-flyrod shootout, something like it, done by big bluegillers.

I know some of you have those ridiculously cheap Eagle Claw Featherlights. OK, for $20 or so I could try one, but should I? Or do some of you think there is a rod so much more fun and efficient for $50 or $100 that, if the money is in my/our pocket, you would recommend I/we consider it?

Next best to a shootout might be individual opinions of you members who know what a Featherlight works like compared to other rods under $100.

What do you think?

[Greg McWilliams]

The little Eagle claw rod is really nice, casts well and is great rod for a fight with a B.G..I usually use an8' 2 wt. Temple forks , or 8' 6" 3 wt. from cabels travel rod. I like the light rods for a good fight. Something about those beutiful vibrations that B. G. bring to the Fly Rod. One other thing you can't have to many fly rods.