Hey guys...I am curious. What is your (or your customers) preference in Flyrod design; 2 piece, 3 piece or 4 piece?


Andy Dear
Lamar Manf.

Nearly all that didn't travel, wanted 2-piece models. Those who traveled all wanted 4-piece models (3-piece 9' rods wouldn't fit inside suitcases).

I have nothing against 4-piece rods but generally prefer 2-piece models for my own use just to cut down on the time spent assembling the rod.

............

I myself like 2 piece, also find them to be popular.
I also tend to go for shorter 7-8 footers only cause of less flies in trees

I am beginning to prefer 4pc rods as I do allot of travelling for work. Besides, new technology has greatly diminished the difference in feel of the multi-piece rods as compared to their 2 pc brethren. I'm not saying that I don't prefer the feel of a 1 or 2 pc, but overall the 4pc rods are becoming my go to rods. Tom, I like to cut down on the assembly time by treating my 4pc rods as 2pc by leaving the top 2 sections and bottom 2 sections assembled.

Also, I find it much easier to wrap and finish the smaller sections as my homemade rod wrapper is awkward to use on longer rods.

Lou

It is a mix from my experience. I personally like the 4 or 5 piece rods because they do travel well, but one of the guys I build for will only use 2 piece rods for fly or spinning rods. I tend to travel, and the smaller length blanks seem to store easier for me at home as well. Plus it seems the extra ferrules aren't as big an impact to the action as they once were. All else being equal, I would take the 4 piece blank.

Three piece rods actually cast the best for me, all told, as the ferrule placement doesn't interfere with the natural curve of the blank as much.

That said, I'll take a 4 piece most times as I like being able to either pack it down small or leave it partially assembled (2 pieces per) when I throw it in the car, like Lou said.


Scott Kinney
The Longest Cast Fly Rods
[www.thelongestcast.com]

Andy
Four piece by far.
If a customer asks for a two or three piece rod, I point out the traveling advantages of a four piece rod & try to talk them into a four piece rod.
I don't stock any two piece blanks.
Hope this helps.
Gil

Four piece. I really liked 3 piece blanks a few years ago, but increased traveling has sold me on the shorter sections. You can still get a guide on every ferrule of a 4 piece, which goes a long way towards making it look like a two piece. I particularly like Dan Craft's ultra thin ferrule designs.

Andy , although not one of your options, I have lately had a few requests for 5 piece fly rods as they will fit diagonally in most carry-on luggage. Ladd

Andy

I used to insist on 2 piece - easier to assemble and not as many pieces to wrap and finish. I also didn't have a lot of confidence that the female ferrules would hold up. The appearance of the 2 piece finished rod was better since there were fewer wraps on the 2 peice. If you had to wrap all of the guides (especially if you were using double foot snakes) plus the female ferrules on the 4 piece, all of the wraps detracted from the visual appeal by appearing too "busy" - the same kind of effect you can get from unattractive "loud" wallpaper.

However, I've become a fan of the 4 piece over the last couple of years. I think it's because the 4 piece blanks themselves are better (or at least I've accepted that they're not likely to break under normal conditions) and also I've switched to single foot guides. The fewer wraps required have eliminated the "busy" appearance I didn't like. Coupled with the ease of storage and transport I think the 4 piece is the way to go.

Sam Stoner

Andy
I like three and two piece rods myself because they are more pure, true to blank dynamics, etc.
But rarely do I get and order for anything other than a 4-piece.
The young guys that I sell to mostly always anticipate plane travel.


Josh Markvan
www.markvanheirloom.com

without doubt a four piece because of the convinience. Much easier to bring around or travel with. They fit easily in my suitcase. Two piece rods takes much space when travelling around.

without doubt a four piece because of the convinience. Much easier to bring around or travel with. They fit easily in my suitcase. Two piece rods takes much space when travelling around.

2 piece for me, since most of my rods are of the shorter variations.

Hi Andy! I'm a big fan of 2pc-ers even though I'm convinced multi-piece rods have come a long way and are very, very close in action now. That being said, after building hundreds of fly rods of numerous taper designs, etc., why are my three favorites all 2pc? Maybe it's coincidence...maybe. I was REALLY surprised when we started G&L FlyCraft to discover how many fly fishermen wanted 2pc rods as well. Perhaps they just need "educated", except upon further investigation our customers usually already have half a dozen or more high-end rods, most of which are multi-piece! We have sold more 2pc rods than multi-piece, which is particularly interesting as they represent a fairly small percentage of our lineup. That being said, those who travel generally want 4pc or occasionally 5pc.

So...you just curious or are you up to something?! ;)

All the best,

4 piece (or more) all the way. I have a full compliment of 2 piece, but I am "replacing" them as the occasion arises. 4 piece just travels so much better, and not just airline travel, but in the car as well. I haven't built a 2 piece for a client in ages.

Tim

With the exception of people wanting a rod specifically for travelling, I find that most customers don't really care. I like 3 pieces or more because they are so much easier (and cheaper) to ship and carry.

Andy-
I prefer the 4PC or more rods when traveling. I like the feel of a 2PC, but they are impossible (for me) to pack and travel with. My steelhead rods for float and fly ranging from 10.5-13' are 2 piecers. The only exception is a Raven 3PC 13.5' rod that was purchased built by the factory. I like the storage on this long rod for steelhead as a 3 pc.'er. If I had a choice, I'd probably purchase all the rods in my arsenal and for my customer's as 3PC or larger.

As said by more than one poster before me, if the rod is really small (like my 2/3Wt that is 6.5') than 2pc isnt so bad.

Domenic Federico
Infinity Rod Creations
Wickliffe, Ohio

Andy; The majority of fly rods in my neck of the woods have been 2pc rods. Only a very few 4pc models have been built for a few fellows who do a lot of fly in tripping. Unfortunately I do not have a lot of business in the fly rod area, for it is not too common in my area of Ontario Canada.

I like the feel of three piece rods. Two piece rods are just too long in the case and seem to me less smooth than a three piece rod. For traveling I like a five piece since my traveling usually involves backpacking. I also have a seven piece 9' 5wt Elkhorn which is very nice for backing up to lakes.

Tony