I haven't built any flyrods, but this article caught my eye. In a financial magazine, no less!
[www.smartmoney.com]

It's interesting to write such an article on the opinions of one guy. I tend to like slower action softer rods because they fit my casting style better but to each his own.

There was one comment made that always gets a chuckle out of me.

As a man who grew up in the woods working for local farmers bucking hay, driving fence post, cutting and splitting wood, building barns, etc, etc. I got to say that if fishing for a day with a 3.6 oz rod "wears you out" your quite the pansy. I fish with one of my early rods almost every trip. It weighs 3.9 oz (back when I made my hardware out of stainless instead of titanium and aluminum) and it doesn't lay me out after a long day of fishing...... and I'm old and fat now.

I have read that and heard that in so many places it has really become a pet peeve of mine. I have grown the opinion that it is just one of those things guys say that they have heard elsewhere so they sound like the know what they are talking about.

I understand wanting a rod light due to the sensitivity issue. That is understandable. I see that as a legitimate argument for a light rod. However, I don't see being wore out by a 3 1/2 oz rod as legitimate. Throwing 80lb bales of alfalfa on the back of a hay wagon or swinging a 16lb post maul all day will wear you out.

my 2 cents,

Ray

Ray Cover
My Projects Blog
[raycover.blogspot.com]

Be sure to read the comment at the end of the article. What about Scott rods? I've never built or fished one but I know guys who rave about them. Later, E...

Winstons and Scotts are two of my favorite blanks. I had a little Scott G3 6'3" 3pc 3wt that was the cats meow for me. I have kicked myself many times for selling that rod.

I personally agree with the commenter's statements about the Scott rods and stiff sticks. I see a lot of guys on the water who fling line with a long stiff rod rather than cast line with timing and a loaded rod.


Ray

And to think that I am about to rebuild an 8' 6" bamboo rod. I sure hope that I don't get a heart attack from trying to cast that beast for a day.

Legitimate comparison tests are done "blind." The tester is prevented from knowing the brand or price of the product he or she is testing. The reason for making comparisons "blind" are easily appreciated. The credibility of any comparison test of fly rods would be greatly improved if the "Minnie Pearl Effect" were eliminated by disguising the rods.

Legitimate comparison tests are done "blind." The tester is prevented from knowing the brand or price of the product he or she is testing. The reason for making comparisons "blind" are easily appreciated. The credibility of any comparison test of fly rods would be greatly improved if the "Minnie Pearl Effect" were eliminated by disguising the rods.

Good point Phil,

I like Winston and Scott Rods but I have also built rods on certain PacBay and Hook and Hackle blanks that I really like. I suspect the PB and HH blanks were made in the same place because as far as I can tell they are exactly the same except for color. I recently bought one of the same blanks from Custom Tackle (it was a Batson brand). Now I have that rod in Green, Maroon, and blue :-).

Anyway, point is there are blanks I like out there that cost $300 and blanks I like out there that cost $30. The only way to really know is to give each one a fair shake by using it for a while. Casting each rod a few times out a canoe on one trip aint gonna do it.

When you let your personal bias and brand loyalties creep in there to boot The outcome of a comparison can get really muddy.

Ray

AMEN Ray! You said what I have been thinking!

Jerry P. do you think the information in the Smart Money article could have helped me with my previous fly rod problems? Personally I think they should have stayed with dealing with the financial issues of the day. You are the only person who has any clue as to why I feel this way!

Gon Fishn

The article should have been called, "Fly fishing for dummies, by dummies, with an expert...who is a dummy".