deserves a lot of credit for the growing interest in Fiberglass Rods, too!
Yesterday, when I was young, I started out fishing Fenwick Fiberglass Rods. I remember paying $35.00 for a new Fenwick back then and thought I was on top of the fly fishing world at the time. Well, as we probably all know, Graphite production came along and most all of the normal fly fishing crowd went to Graphite rods for easier casting and more power for distance etc. etc. Though some remained with the Fiberglass or Bamboo scene, Graphite rods became the in thing. So, I went Graphite Fly Rods. Fast forward a significant number of years, through Sage, G. Loomis, Orvis, etc. days. Now cometh, the resurgence of the Fiberglass Fly Rods. Like a lot of things in life, it seems things can come 360 degrees ever so often.
Currently, I own Graphite Fly Rods and Fiberglass Fly Rods. However, due to my fixed income and senior citizen lifestyle, I have to focus on budget minded fly fishing tackle! With that in mine, my current Fiberglass Fly Rod selection consists of an Eagle Claw Featherlight $35.00, and, a yard sale purchase of an old Berkley that cost me $5.00.
While I enjoy fishing these two rods, I have began to look at some of the new Fiberglass Fly Rods that are hitting the market at what I consider to be a budget minded price level. Let me skim over some of them in this post.
Green Caddis Outfitters
Ruby River Fiberglass Fly Rods
$120.00
The early reviews on these rods have been positive and I look forward to further investigating these rods.
Echo Fiberglass Fly Rods
$200.00
Again, very good early reviews on these rods. Already available in some local fly shops. These are superb rods for the budget minded fly angler!
Now comes the soon to be released new Cabela's CGR Series Fiberglass Rods.
$129.00
These rods are being updated and released in the Fall of this year. The original CGR Series rods were received very favorably by many of my blogging friends. Cabela's stopped production on the original series, but, listened to the demands of the fly fishing crowd and will be putting these on the market soon.
So, budget minded fly fishing tackle folks, rather you fish with an inexpensive Eagle Claw Featherlight model, a yard sale find, or one of the new wave of budget minded fly rods, you certainly deserve to see if Fiberglass is for you. Yup, "Glass Is Not Dead".
I got Involved with fiberglass in about 2006 with my old Wright & Mcgill 3A. While researching more information, I discovered fiberglassflyrodders.com where I "met" Cameron and the gang there. Soon, St. Croix, Orvis and Sage graphite were gone and add TL Johnson, Kettle Creek Riffle and Fenwick to name a few. I would also mention that ebay is a good place to find great fiberglass rods for a fraction of the going price.
ReplyDeleteHi, Howard. I know you are a first class glass fanatic.....................
DeleteI may be headed in that direction, but, still have not discarded my graphite rods. I am always looking locally for a yard sale or estate sale or perhaps the pawn shop for fiberglass rods to get on the cheap. Oh, just today wandered over to apply to join the Fiberglass Flyrodders Forum. Keep an eye out for a Fenwick for me at a reasonable offer.
Hi Mel,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the fiberglass update. I still have my first rod, a glass Fenwick which I was never too crazy about, but in recent years I've found another little Fenwick that's a dandy, plus a few others that I enjoy using. Yeah the glass thing is alive, for sure. I would also recommend (as Howard mentioned) the Kettle Creek Riffle, a beautiful rod in many variations that is geared toward the "budget-minded."
What goes around, comes around. I, on the other hand, even think about another fly rod after "3", I will be sleeping in the Clipper (or possibly even my shop) on a permanent basis.
ReplyDeleteMel
ReplyDeleteSorry to say I don't own any fiberglass fly rods. I did have one about 30 years ago which got broken and I never replace it. Graphite is my go to fly rods these days because of the lightness and of course a good price with the Redington rods I own. I have email you about the flies you mail me--thanks for getting those to me. I hope to get on the water with those soon. Thanks for sharing
Bill, completely understand that. I would not own any either if I hadn't gotten them in a budget minded manner. That is why I am always looking for something that is affordable for fly fishing. As you know, no longer have the means to spend big time to knock it out of the ball park. I have enjoyed many years fishing with Graphite rods and certainly agree with you on the quality of Redington Rods for the money spent. Sorry, for late response, but did reply to your email just moments ago.
DeleteI've handled the CGR rods at Cabelas. Pretty good. Still looking for a proper glass 5 wgt. Man, it's good to finally get my hands on one instead of reading about them.
ReplyDeleteJosh, sounds like you are enjoying your new glass rod. Off to a good start anyway. Is yours a 5wt?
DeleteI am very interested in checking out the "new" Cabela's CGR. They have a store just down the road about a 1/2 hour drive so plan on looking at them up close and personal this Fall.
Well I still own my first glass fly rod, a Cortland FR 2000 7ft 5wt. Purchased it when I started fly fishing early 70's. I take it out several times during the year just for old times sake. Since graphite made the scene that's all I buy and fish.
ReplyDeleteGood post Mel
Thanks for the comment, Alan. I certainly have not made a decision to go "all in" on glass rods. You might say I am a curious cat! With that said, I am still not going to spend any more money on a fly rod than what I would spend, rather it is Fiberglass or Graphite. Sounds like I need to balance the scale a little and do a post with the same theme on the Graphite picture. Thanks for the thought on a new post!
DeleteMy local shop can't keep the Echo Glass in, seem everyone wants one. And as you mentioned a great price. It's the next rod on my bucket list for sure.
ReplyDeleteBryan, Tim Rajeff at Echo, has tons of knowledge when it comes to how a rod should perform. The new Echo Glass appear to be really special. Maybe soon!
DeleteOne of the first fly rods I ever had was a yellow Eagle Claw fiberglass rod. All my other rods have been graphite, but once in a while I will get the Eagle Claw out to play with it. It always surprises me just how well a (very) inexpensive fly rod like that can cast! I might have to pull it out of the rack and fish it again soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm a glass fan. I started on a no name glass rod well over 20 years ago. It was held together with electric tape and barely cast a line. But its what I had and it got me into the sport. I added my first new glass rod this past winter with a Eagle Claw 7ft 5/6wt. It has become my favorite rod. For small prairie stream trout and pond pan fishing its the real deal.
ReplyDeleteHi, John! Yup, seems like those who are glass fans are expanding by the day. Must be something too it! If you read the above comment response to
DeleteJoseph, about fishing with the Eagle Claw Featherlight, you can see why it is a favorite of many, many anglers. Happy Hook Up, my friend.
what is the benefit of fiberglass? being new to fly fishing I have never fished with a fiberglass rod.
ReplyDeleteI fish glass most of the time now. The CGR's are my go to rods. I will invest in an Echo in the future. Thanks for the heads up on the budget glass options out there.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ryan, for your visit and comment. The Cabela's CGR's were very popular when the original series came out. I hear the new ones are just as nice. Sounds like you are one who is sold on them. Thanks again for sharing.
DeleteNice post! I've been intrigued with the Echo glass rod...I've been pondering whether I should pick one up. I remember casting (perhaps fishing) the Cabela's rod when Cameron had a couple of demos, and I thought they were nice.
ReplyDeleteMike, I chose these (3) rods in my conversation based on being budget minded. I think all three are just that and would be a fine glass choice for anyone one wanting to give Glass rods a real good effort. If you can go Echo, I don't think you would be disappointed at all.
DeleteNice post, Mel. I really like the looks of that Ruby River Outfit!
ReplyDeleteMe, too! That is why they were included in this post. According to the folks I have communicated with on this rod series, the 3 wt is superb.
DeleteWhen I started fly fishing, the Fenwick Ferrulite rods were one of the most popular glass rods. I would borrow my mentor's whenever we were not fishing a the same time, and couldn't wait to get one. The following year, I had my own.
ReplyDeleteThe year my brother came back from Nam, he borrowed my Fenwick to take a float on the Green river. He left the rod propped against a tree and drove up the road, by the time they turned around and went back, it was gone. I went back to my old bamboo rod for a while.
I few years later, I was given a Berkley Cherrywood by the sales rep. The store I worked in was doing casting clinics as part of a fishing weekend promotion. I was one of the instructors. I really liked that Cherrywood rod. Can't remember why I got rid of it. I started building my own rods and soon moved up to graphite.
I keep looking for both these old rods at yard sales, they are two rods I would like to have back.
I'm all about budgeting the fishing gear. I have acquired a bit too much over the years... haha. But, I have honestly enjoyed the Ross rod that I have now and it only cost me 1/3 of what my more expensive Sage rod cost me a few years ago. I haven't even picked up my Sage for the last 7 mos since I got the Ross. So, there you go... Good review for those who are in the market. I better stand pat for awhile! Lol.
ReplyDeleteEmily, I think as we get older we get a little wiser to all the marketing that takes place in our life, fly fishing, for example. We realize we enjoy the time fly fishing, and we age, we realize that we should take nothing for granted. I have talked with you before about your Ross rod and know that you love it. I will be doing a post on budget minded fly rods that are Graphite and will include the Ross rod in that post. Thanks for sharing your review............................
DeleteFunny you put this up now, I've been looking at building a fiberglass rod. I'm interested in the Angler's Roost blanks, I think they'd make a nice small stream or panfish rod. Thanks Mel
ReplyDelete