Has anyone tried a hexagraph rod out of Texas? What can you tell me about them?

Solid graphite that mimics the look of bamboo. Heavier and less responsive than tubular graphite, of course, but has the look of bamboo with the durability of solid construction. They have found a niche and seem to be doing well. They've been around for a good many years now so they must be selling some rods.


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Dale,
I have built 2 rods out of hexagraph, both of them several years ago before common cents. I like them a lot. One is a 9'6" 7/8 wt and the other is a 5' 5 wt. You have to like the soft action of bamboo in order to appreciate them as this is the action they were originally designed to imitate. I have found them to be extremely durable. The 9'6" rod has acounted for a 20 lb carp on a fly and handled it a whole lot better than I would have guessed.
If you like the soft action of bamboo and the ease of upkeep with graphite then you will not be disapointed.

Sam Fox
Foxrods

I think you mean slow recovery - action is either fast, medium or slow and refers to where the rod initially flexes. Bamboo, by nature of its higher stiffness to weight ratio, doesn't respond or recover as fast a tubular shaft of graphite will. Even a solid graphite rod, such as the hexagraph, isn't going to have the same quick response and recovery that a tubular construction of the same material would, either.

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Thanks! You answered my question before I could ask it! I wasn't sure what a soft action was supposed to me. I have one of the higher line weight hexagraphs and several upper end bamboo fly rods and none of them could be considered soft. They're quite powerful! But no they don't react in the same way that a round tubular rod will. They're a little heavier for the same power. The hexagraphs were born in the UK and then bought by the company in TX. Good rods with a traditional look and feel but very tough. If you're looking for something different then this might be what you're after!

So, then, my understanding is that a guy who has fished the older model, slower fiberglass rods in the heavier line weights could probably be comfortable or "feel okay" with the Hexagraph.
Is this correct?
I know where they are at here in Houston, and I have been somewhat curious about them. Gary

Quite possibly - they won't react nor recover as quickly as most tubular graphite rods and in fact, may feel a lot more like the glass rods you mention.

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I've casted a couple Hexagraphs the Guide Special and the Elk Meadow. The Guide Special was heavier than many tubular graphite rods I've fished and a medium fast action, cane like, but lighter in weight. The Elk Meadow was in the same league as a Sage SLT (about 2 oz) I've fished weight wise, but again with a more cane like feel. They fished well, doing what you expect of them, especially once the line hits the water.

i've fished one that i built on a blank when they first came out-7'6" 3/4 wt-and have caught trout to 8 lbs on it-feel is somewhat similar to cane rods i've cast-loads well under a wide range of distances-durable as heck and fights large fish well-mine is a great small stream rod.They were also the rods used in the flyfishing sequences in "A river Runs Through It"-whatever that 's worth.

I built one for a customer years ago and test cast it .It was a 9ft. 7wt. and if my budget ever allows I'll buy a 7ft.3wt. and a 9ft.5wt. blank and build me the Best two rods I'll Ever own!!! In moderate action. Ralph

If at first you don't succeed, go fishing, then try, try again.

I remember casting one once...and just dreaming that someday I might be able to afford one.

That was before I started building. I know my xmas present to myself this year will be something along the lines of a 7'0" 2/3 weight hexagraph...
Sweetest rods I've ever cast...

Sam's point about a bamboo-like feel (my bamboo purist friends remind me that there is nothing that exactly replaces the feel of bamboo :) ) and Tom's explanation is key imo. I have a fishing buddy that had a 8' 3wt built up. It did have a number of advantages that came with the design and named by the company. The problem was that my buddy just could not comfortably adjust his stroke mechanics for a long day on the water. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the rod, it did everything it was advertised to do, and it was absolutely beautiful to boot. It was just a mismatch between rod design and angler.