Fly Rods – Which Ones?

I currently am using a 7 1/2 foot Three weight Cabelas Three Forks outfit I bought for fishing the small Blue Ribbon wild trout creeks we have in Missouri. Also works for Bluegill. a 4 weight 8 1/2 foot Sage Pulse, One of my favorites, an NRX LP by Loomis this is a sweet rod in 5 weight 9 foot this rod just feels good to cast.I will have a hard time deciding whether I fish the Sage or the Loomis this summer. Lastly, I have a Douglas DHF in a 6 weight 9 foot that I have used for streamers, large buggers, and nymphing.I bought this rod more as a rod for Smallmouth Bass and streamers for Trout but have just started really trying streamer fishing. Other than my two older rods (25 years old) and my even older Fiberglass rod that’s it. What’s in your rod tube.

I’m waiting for Kenny to post a list of the rods he owns.

Bill

By the way, someone else on a forum talked I expected you to own a fly shops inventory of rods. Anyone else cares to list their rods?

Bill

Where do I start? In the beginning I was ten years old, a big surprise to my mother. Anyway, I started fly fishing at age ten. My Dad had been an avid fly fisherman for years. He had two Tonka Queen split bamboo fly rods in his arsenal, his then one for everyone else. These rods were manufactured by Horrocks Ibbotson, Utica N.Y. These rods where made and purchased pre WWII. The war caused an embargo to be placed on products from Japan, no bamboo. Bamboo rods were cheap pre war $7-$8. I thought I would inherit these rods. However, 4 younger brothers made kindling of them. I mention these rods just as a little history and back ground.
Bamboo Rods First:
Shakespeare split bamboo Triumph 8’6″ describe as a Trout Weight Rod. This rod needs restoration and then hung on the wall. It has beautiful bamboo.
My next rod is a, R.H. Wood by Constable of Bromley, England a 6″9′ 4wt. A beauty for small streams. I do fish this rod.
Then an Orvis Delux 7′ 6wt. SN 38552. I sent this info to Orvis to get the history on the rod. Orvis told me who built the rod and the time period. The rod was shipped to a fly shop In Argentina, traveled the world and was bought by me at a garage sell in the 70’s. I remember the lady that sold it to me, she was ranting and raving about her husband that she was divorcing. She wanted $100, we settled at $50. I ran like a thieving dog.
Modern day stuff
My TFO 9’0″ 5wt. ProII. I bought this upon graduation from my 2012 FATC class. It is a good functional and versatile rod. Medium Fast Action Rod, I enjoy fishing it.
Winston Nexus 8’6″ 4wt. Fast Action Rod. Fast action rods and I don’t get along so well. I would like to part ways with it. The Nexus is no longer being manufactured by Winston. Collectors item.
Next my newest addition. A Moonshine “Epiphany” 10’6″ 3wt. nymphing rod. I have not fished it yet. Pretty rod with matt black finish. I am really excited about getting on the water with this rod. It was a birthday present from wife. Yes, she knows the price. You will not steal it from her when I am gone.
There are a few more fly rods in the rafters of my basement, but what is above is basically all that is worth mentioning.
P.S. I have no stickers on any of my cars.

Ten years old at the start, hardly a surprise to you Mother. You have had some interesting rods. I have some stickers but I am afraid to put them on our KIA. They might make it top heavy.

Bill

fly fishing about 12 when my uncle Frank got me started. Still have the Shakespear “Golden Rod”. About an 8′ 6 wt glass beast.

1) Go to rod is a 9′ 5 wt Radian. I take this when I am unsure of conditions ( wind etc.)

2) Winstin BIIIx 9′ 6 wt for big rivers n big fish. Great rod for out West on the Missouri or the big Chromers on the Shoshone.

3) Sage 8’6″ 4wt. One. Great rod for the Missouri fishing we do. Drys or multi-fly nymph rigs, it does it all.

4) Bamboo- 7’3″ 4 wt Sweetgrass Pent. Three piece rod that I am learning how to slow down to cast. Just the rod for a small creek like Westover Farms.

OMG Bob, your Bamboo Sweetgrass rod is gorgeous…it is definitely a sweet rod! I want one when I grow-up!? We need to hit Montauk again, so I can drool over that Sweetgrass Bamboo rod!!??

Mike,
Next time we head to Montauk, ur more than welcome to give it a try. There is a learnimg curve when converting to boo.

Bob

I too love the feel of bamboo. I have made /8 so far and my favorites are both Payne tapers, a 7’1″ 3wt and a 7’9″ 5wt. The 3wt is great for NC wild trout and the 5wt is great for Missouri streams. If I get on bigger water, then I get out the 8′ Ennes taper. It is a cannon and can handle heavier flies with ease. I still occasionally fish my Winston Boron BIIt 4wt. It is a sweet rod for dries. I also still fish the first rod I bought after Kenny’s class, my 9′ 5wt G. Loomis Xperience. Other than that, no favorites. :<)

Mr. Dave “Bamboo” Beerbower, thank you for the education on the different tapers on Bamboo rods. You definitely have some sweet looking Bamboo rods!!
So, Mr. Bamboo when are you going to start instructing a class on Bamboo Rod building for the FATC fellowship??? Also, you make a pretty sweet rod tube. Maybe, a class for that too??

Most people have no idea how much work there is in making a bamboo rod from scratch. Unless you are really interested in going from culm to rod, let me suggest buying a rod blank and then finishing the rod from there. I am still working with Connor on his second rod, but can do some other things if you are serious.