Re: [VFB] Fly Rods, Reels, and Combos

[Garry V. Wiles]

Jerry,

        I must've missed that one.  I've never built a rod to date, but I have a blank bought from the infamous D.Lewis that will one day my missus' first rod.  It's nice red 2 pc 4wt that will do good on local trout streams or the bluegill pond.  I don't have the free space to put threat to graphite as of yet.  Rick built me a 9' 2pc 3wt that is really fast.  Really fast.  I've put 5wt DT line on it and it'll toss 1/2 of that line w/o thinking or straining.  Rick razzed me about taking it to Erie and breaking it in for me on steelies -- I didn't let him, though I've done it just to say that I have.  I also had a net partner that day too.  And if I understand Mr. Lewis, it's still looked at fondly and maybe taken out once a year for a good smile.


-->Garry



At 10:37 PM 1/13/2006, you wrote:

Garry:
Were you in the FF@ Rod swap?  I know we used Rainshadow blanks in that one.  I lucked out and drew Dave Lewis as my swap partner and he got stuck with the rod I built.
 
Jerry C
"All things considered, I'd rather be in Philadelphia."
 
n a message dated 1/13/2006 22:21:17 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

Chuck,

         I have to agree with the already stated Temple Fork

Outfitters fly rods.  I have 3 fly rods.  The most expensive one is

the 3 wt Rainshadow blank by FF@ Lister Rick Kuntz.  I have a sweet

G.Loomis GL2 5wt that I paid $135 for and my TFO 7wt 4pc I got for

something like $110ish b/c the fly shop I got it at was going out of

business.  Had I had more available cash at the time, I'd've loaded

up on more rods at the time.  I've cast my friends lower grade

rods.  They cast fine, but aren't as 'fast' as what I use.  They

still catch fish and handle steelhead as well.

     

At 07:33 PM 1/13/2006, you wrote:

>Folks: My Rod and Reel combo is a Wal Mart elcheapo that My Kids

>gave Me for Fathers day 2004. I want to upgrade ASAP... But talk

>about confusion as to WHAT to buy... I see reels from $39.95 to

>$700.00. Rods from $59.95 to $900.00, and Combo's from

>$79.95-$10000.00. Then, I see cork drags, Teflon drags, stainless

>steel drags, and composite graphite drags... My reel don't really

>even have a drag system. You flip a button and it either had a

>silent NO drag, or a clicking very slight drag. Do these disc drag

>systems on the better reels I'm talking about have a drag system

>work like a regular bait type reel??? From basically zero drag all

>the way to line breaking drag??? And the rods come in 2-3-4-5and

>I've even seen 6 piece. Is a lot of pieces just for convenience when

>traveling???I know the thickness, or thinness in my case will

>dictate the type system I purchase. But how does one know what is

>good, what is bad??? etc etc.. Is it like the saying "You get what

>you pay for" pretty much, or are there any less expensive combos

>that ARE very good??? I'd probably want to buy a "combo" as they

>tend to be cheaper than buying separately...Thanks in advance for

>any help, Chuck

>