Author Topic: Name brand fly rods (Read 26834 times)

BigG · « **on:** February 17, 2011, 11:44:39 AM »

So i just came back from a trip to Mias woodmead

Looking at some of the high end fly rods..... I think it was a Hardy fly rod i saw there for 10grrrrraaannddddd

What the

...... and it was only 9ft.... do the mathemagics, and that is over a grand per foot

Some of the Greys I saw were also in the region of 6-8k if i remember correctly

Any avid fly fisherman here that enjoy flyfishing that much ??

I can get 3 custom Gremlins surf rods for that price

Rory · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2011, 11:56:58 AM »

Ha ha ha!! I warned you! The flyfishing tackle prices border on the criminal! Have a look at Stealth, TFO and Explorer. Even better, ask E.T./Koos to order you a blank and let him build you a rod!

jaenswart · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2011, 11:58:19 AM »

no need for going that expensive. most of my rods are under a grand

BigG · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2011, 12:05:34 PM »

I have a Explorer 5-6wt, and a Explorer Titan 4-6wt reel

I thought i would sell my entry level combo and go for intermediate... Then i realised intermediate rods start from 4k up

I think i must catch some fish on fly before i start looking at investing money in that facet

I saw the stealth magnums, they only had them in 10wt and 12wt, which i think would have been great for saltwater, they were marked down from R1800 to R995, comes int he nice steel screw top tubing.... Is this a good rod for the surf ?

Hooch · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2011, 12:10:35 PM »

Go and have a look at what a Sage rod will set you back! You won't belive it.
Like rory said, stealth is good value for money. And its under a grand.

BigG · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2011, 12:20:37 PM »

thanks for the feedback

BigG · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2011, 12:22:17 PM »

What about a decent reel to compliment the stealth rod ?

Rory · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2011, 12:36:24 PM »

Those magnums have got serious backbone, have a look at the stealth and explorer saltwater reels or perhaps a shilton. Very good reels those shiltons!

Hooch · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2011, 12:40:51 PM »

Or even the shimano ultegra range of fly reels. I have one for freshwater fishing but me thinks its a overkill.
Even the Orvis range of fly reels is stunning.

Werries · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2011, 12:53:11 PM »

I think I should rather say nothing...my wife sometimes reads this

BigG · « **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2011, 12:53:38 PM »

My wallet is lying next to me, this is a dangerous conversation to be having with you guys right now

Hooch · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2011, 01:05:28 PM »

I was fortunate enought to buy all my flyfishing gear in the UK about 12years ago.
Paid almost nothing for it coase I got paid in pounds. Now today, if I look back at the replacement value of my gear its insane.
Lost a top quality GLoomis rod and reel fishing from my float tube. Needless to say, insurance couldn't replace it at the value of the rod.
5k good buy. Yes, top quality is the best, but not to replace it.

tkei · « **Reply #12 on:** February 17, 2011, 01:25:04 PM »

I was discussing insurance of my fishing tackle with my broker yesterday, and i am taking my chances and not specifying anything. My 3 fly rods are all Brand names, but not the sage or T&T brands, but the replacement costs are enough to make me cry. Luckily all mine were also bought with UK PONT so the hurt wasnt as bad, same with the reels.
in sa the explorer and stealth are not bad for the money. I dont know if they still do Kingfisher gold class, but I liked these a lot as well for the price.

E.T. · « **Reply #13 on:** February 17, 2011, 01:58:53 PM »

I will start by saying that I always bought el-cheapos. Well I stopped, cause I keep on replacing them. Now I got to a stage where I save, buy a decent blank and build my own rods.

I have the following labels:

Scott - Fresh and Salt
Hardy - Freshwater ( this rod was fished 3 times, got it for R800)
St. Croix - Freshwater (hardly fished, was cheaper than stealing it.)
Xploder - Freshwater
Sage - Salt

There are various good quality blanks available for about R500-R1500 and this includes older Scott, Composite Development and Sage blanks. Well then its components and a rod tube and my guess is that it will still be cheaper than getting a factory rod from a store.

My Advice: Buy the most expensive gear that you can afford.

E.T. · « **Reply #14 on:** February 17, 2011, 02:01:00 PM »

The price of some rods are really way overpriced. Getting a good rod will set you back a few Rand, but buying a reel to match that rod will not dent your pocket, it will leave a hole in it for money to seep through permanently. :sadd

schloshd1 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 17, 2011, 05:26:56 PM »

Personally I fish various Stealths, an Xploder, a Predator and a Scott. All the cheaper brands do the the job very well, although I have snapped sections of almost all of them (mostly from user error

) but they have been quick and easy to replace and I am happy with them.
Having said that, the Scott is in a league of it's own compared to the others as far as build quality, feel and performance are concerned and I will slowly be upgrading a few of my other rods if and when I have the cash to spare.

Cam Mundy · « **Reply #16 on:** February 17, 2011, 05:43:53 PM »

I've always wondered what the difference is between a R10 000 fly rod and a R1500 one say? A 80 pound marlin rod isn't nearly as much as that and a fancy pants 400gram acid wrapped jigging stick will be less as well and this is equipment used for the outer limits of sports fishing not 4 inch trout in a mountain stream.

E.T. · « **Reply #17 on:** February 17, 2011, 06:11:12 PM »

Quote from: Cam Mundy on February 17, 2011, 05:43:53 PM

I've always wondered what the difference is between a R10 000 fly rod and a R1500 one say? A 80 pound marlin rod isn't nearly as much as that and a fancy pants 400gram acid wrapped jigging stick will be less as well and this is equipment used for the outer limits of sports fishing not 4 inch trout in a mountain stream.

Cam I must agree with you here. Fly Fishing Stuff is bloody expensive when you start looking at brands.

But getting certain Brands within a relative price range is like buying a Cruiser. a Nissan 1400 will also get you there, but will it be able to tow a 24 feet Nova Sportfisher through Mozambique?

The right tool for the job always costs more, but it sure as hell makes it a lot easier getting the job done.

E.T. · « **Reply #18 on:** February 17, 2011, 06:15:14 PM »

Cam

Not all Top Brands are good. I can take a well know "top brand" at about R6500 and have you cast with it and then I can hand you a entry level rod at about R700 and I promise you that this last rod will out fish and out perform the "Brand".

Now these two rods are both for Smallstream Fishing. The R700 rod throws little tight loops like you can't believe and if I have to tell you what rod this is, you are going to laugh and shake your head for you won't believe it, till you see it!

Cam Mundy · « **Reply #19 on:** February 17, 2011, 06:18:52 PM »

I agree with everything you're saying E.T and you built some dam fine rods yourself, what I'm wondering is does a really expensive fly rod give you a better cast action further more accurate casting ? I have flogged the water a few times in my own right always with cheap rods but I pretty sure I would find it just as frustrating untangling my line from every bit of grass, tree fence and mammal within 50 ft of me with a 10K rod as with a R500 one.