On Behalf Of Chuck Alexander Subject: [VFB] Buying a Flyrod Online
Folks:This is sorta hypothetical but here goes..One of these days I'd like to get myself (or maybe my wife or kids will get it for me) a good , quality fly rod (and reel).. [ Chuck, (A disclaimer !!! I seldom trout fish. Once or twice a year in North Carolina. So my comments are related to warmwater fishing. Trout fisherman may have an entirely different take on this subject) I would not hesitate to purchase a fly rod online. I am assuming you are talking about a five weight rod. I would suggest that you go with one of the many "names". Most of today's fly rods are at least IM6 quality, and are all fast enough to handle the bugs that you would throw for sunfish and most of your bass bugs as well. For instance, a quick check of eBay this morning shows the following five weights: http://tinyurl.com/2dmpcg I would not hesitate to purchase any one of those rods with the exception of the Berkeley. I simply not familiar with their rods. You can certainly purchase one of several rods from a Cabela's. I am not sure who makes their blanks, but I am quite sure whoever it is, also supplies Sage or St. Croix, etc with the same blanks. The only difference is that the big-names will charge another $200 for virtually the same blank. Personally, I keep tabs on the fly rods on Sierra trading Post. I have purchased the Powell rod listed below http://tinyurl.com/2o82ou I have a 4 wt, and I use it for 99% of my freshwater or warm water fishing. Whether I'm fishing for bass, bream or cyclids. This is the rod I am throwing. If I am after Peacocks or carp I use my Temple Fork 5 wt. Temple Fork has literally revolutionized the industry. I am very fortunate in that I am on their program and get their rods at cost. However, even if I was not, they would be my FIRST CHOICE for virtually any rod that I would purchase. I consider myself a pretty decent caster. (can accurately cast a saltwater flies to 75+ in our always present Florida onshore or off shore winds). I absolutely cannot tell the difference between my TFO's and my other rods that cost 3 times the money. They do not go on sale that often that I am aware of but they only cost $99.00. http://www.templeforkflyrods.com/rods/signature.html Although you didn't inquire about lines, for all of my freshwater needs, I am now using the cheapest Orvis fly lines for all my freshwater needs. They are ideal. They are frontloaded and make casting a breeze http://tinyurl.com/2waby2 They are relatively inexpensive, but I would wait until they go on sale. They can be purchased for $12.95. I suggest that you contact Orvis and sign up for their newsletter. The last time they went on sale. I purchased two of every size from 3-7 wt. I suspect that I will never have to purchase a warm water line again in my lifetime. As for freshwater and warm water reels. I buy the absolute cheapest thing I can find. I cannot remember the last time, I fought a warm water or freshwater fish on the reel. All they do is hold line between casts. JG
