Fiberglass Fly Rods

[chris kowaleski]

Can you guys share with me some knowledge on fiberglass fly rods please? Pros, cons, etc? 

[Papa Turner]

I have to agree with all the comments. As far as bamboo goes, it's best for calm days & dry flies. I got my first bamboo from my grandpa in the early 60's. It bounced around in my dad's shed @ the lake for 30 yrs & was used by countless cousins to catch everything from bluegill to bass and got pretty beat up in the process.

About 15 yrs ago I rescue it and had in restored. I have caught 20"+ brown trout out of the Saco River near Conway, NH. (It's getting close to prime fly fishing up their so if you're heading up their to fish, let me know & I'll tell you my favorite spot.) Now I only use it once or twice a year to catch bluegill. But you never know last year I tangled with a 18" bass & old bamboo won. Yes most of the time I use the fiberglass. But fishing w/my bamboo rod takes me back to a simpler time.

[chris kowaleski]

Thanks for all the responses and information you guys! I'm probably gonna end up getting a fiberglass eagle claw rod to try out. The extra durability of the fiberglass is a plus, because i'm pretty clumsy and unintentionally beat the rod up. And it's only like 40 bucks. I'm sure I'll end up liking it though. I wouldn't mind finding some vintage fiberglass or saving up for a custom at some point, I love the vintage and custom stuff. They are functional works of art.

[Johnny]

I bought a graphite fly rod a few years back to learn on, know'n what I know now FG mite have been a better choice, since I found an old FG rod ata yard sale & brought it home, its a 7/8 wt so I guess I'll cut my teeth on bass or carp,either sound fun tho.

 

As far as the graphite rod...I sat on couch on day & got a sharp stab, jumped up & stuck in the seat cushion was apiece of fish'n pole, dug around between the seat crack & pulled out 2 more peices, asked my wife whats this & she said "its the (grand) baby's,the one he plays with", I told her not this one, the little turd had found mine stashed in teh corner & pulled it apart & claimed the upper end for himself, what can I say he's only 3.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Little turd is right

[Ray Ditzenberger]

I have found glass to be more durable than graphite. If one gets a small knick in the blank it will break and probably at the most unopportune time. Glass is generally slower but I believe that it is a great place to learn and I passed my old cherished Heddon 5wt to my granddaughter for just those reasons. I also put a Pflueger Medalist on it because I am sure a newb will abuse thier tackle. I fish graphite today because of availability and light weight being an old fat weak Flyfisherman. Most new glass rods are not cheap and graphite can be much cheaper. Old 5wt glass rods are almost 'rare'. Graphites are available in 2wts that are in the $100 range and are quite good and will cast a tight loop. For a begginner the new Eagle Claw ultralights are great and they are cheap. I would recommend one of the short light weight models as a good place to start. $30 line, $30 rod, and $30 reel and you are in business for $90. Go light rather than heavy and enjoy the experiance. If you find that FF is your game then get a heavier outfit for big flies. I will add that early in the graphite era I paid some big bucks for a 5' UL spinning rod and I would not trade it for all of the glass spinning rods in the world. It has the backbone to set a hook in a bass and the sensitivity to distuingish between the bait hitting a rock and a light fish tap. It will cast a 1/32oz bait as well as a 1/4oz. Graphite spinning and bait casting rods are far superior IMHO.

[Ray Ditzenberger]

Well BugMan I am no expert either but I have developed my opinions over the last 40+years as I am sure that you have. I do like some of the old short and light glass rods but they are very hard to come by and were even hard to come by back in the day. When it comes to the heavier rods I still, by far, prefer the newer graphites. They will throw a tighter loop and are lighter in weight and smaller in diameter thereby more areodynamic and require much less effort than thier heavier glass rods. I find my 9' 9wt graphite less tireing than my old 7wt 8' glass. Much easier on this old fat man. I do like the tempo of the old glass. I have not had the chance to try one of the new glass rods but there is little if any price advantage to the new glass.

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

K

[Paul Adams]

Some of us old geezers started fishing when the only thing made out of graphite was pencil leads.  We mostly used fiberglass rods, and mostly caught a bunch of fish.  To be honest, alot the fiberglass rods made back in the day were clunkers, however there were some outstanding rods made as well.  If you are interested, there is a forum dedicated to fiberglass rods that contains a wealth of info - http://fiberglassflyrodders.com/forum/

If you'd like to try out a fiberglass rod, in my opinion one of the best deals going is a Eagle Claw Featherlight.  I think someone previously had also mentioned this rod.  You can easily find one delivered to your doorstep for under $25.  Team it up with a medalist reel, and you are all set to go.

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

HOW RIGHT YOU ARE ON ALL ACCOUNTS PAUL. BEING A GEEZER MYSLEF I know were you are coming from .......

[Ray Ditzenberger]

Hey Paul.....I am one of those old geezers that had the choice of glass or boo. Thought at $400, for an Orvis impregnated model I saw very little choice. You are correct about the new Eagle Claw's. Cheap and they have the feel of the vintage stuff from what I have been able to discern. I would like to actually cast one. My first rod was an 8' Shakespear 8wt. and it just sits in the closet since I have gone to the lighter 5wt and less rods. If anyone has one of the new Eagle Claw 6'6" rods they would like to trade I would be happy to accommadate. It is a shame that any rod just sits in a corner unused.

[shooter]

i have several of those rods in 6.6 and 7 ft. man talk about tuff rods the yellow featherlite eagles are some tuff. i fish trees and brush  my rods take a beating,i am always repairing my graphite rods,i thank i i had to fix a tip on one of my eagle claws once in the last five years,sure i replace some eyes but the rods hold up .

 i use 10 and 11 wt dt  floating line on these rods as they are a little stiff and it takes the heavy line to load them up when roll casting.

 but yes sir that is one mean rod,tuff as nails.

[shooter]

i must confess i too am a GEEZER and proud of it.