Fiberglass

[Esetter]

I picked up a 3wt CGR from Cabela's after reading that fiberglass is making a comeback. Fished it last week and had a blast landing several 8-11 inch rainbows on a small stream. Promptly went out and got an inexpensive click reel because I don't trust my Islander on a slip ring real seat, and I'm already looking forward to taking it out again.
Best thing, I'm under $250 for rod, reel and line and don't have to worry about busting up my fragile, expensive graphite and cane rods bushwacking or around clumsy dogs. Already looking at another in 5/6.
Anybody else try out the new 'glass and enjoy it?

 

[EB Newfarm]

I have a Livingston 5 weight that I enjoy fishing and a 3 weight I built from a Proof kit. I like them both although my first choice is usually bamboo. You are right though, they are tough and when you don't want to worry about wrecking super high end stuff, they are fun to fish. I often use them for night fishing or when I am in a canoe on a tight stream.
I have done all my fishing on click and pawl reels during the last year and have had fun learning to palm the reels.
I plan to build up a 6 weight once I decide on the blank.
"Glass is not dead!"

 

[EB Newfarm]

Here is a pic of the lantern.

 

[Esetter]

View attachment 1151236
Here is a pic of the lantern.

Nice, that lantern is a beauty. I'm gearing up to take one out for Coho and Chum when the runs start this year, swinging streamers old school.

 

[EB Newfarm]

I have a blank and materials for a glass 6-weight incoming. I will build it over the winter months while I wait for spring.
Good luck with the Chum and Coho!

 

[Esetter]

I have a blank and materials for a glass 6-weight incoming. I will build it over the winter months while I wait for spring.
Good luck with the Chum and Coho!

Thank you sir!

 

[old_school]

Heads up... Gary Loomis, ie Northfork Composites has glass blanks on sale if you like to roll your own. Click on Fly and scroll down to the bottom for the glass.

 

[Tirvine]

Interesting how it has circled around. The Orvis Superfines all seem to be glass now.

 

[Buster]

A friend built me a 3 wt with a Blue Halo blank a few years ago. Love that rod. So much fun fighting a fish on.

 

[Tricky]

Fiberglass is all I fish with (unless I’m in the salt). My go to’s are a couple of Phillipson Epoxite rods and a few masters series. They are how I like to cast, so that’s what I fish with.

Recently was just on a guided trip and the guide kinda made a face when I asked if I could fish with my own stuff. He begrudgingly said sure, but rigged up one of those new Orvis super fast rods. I’m happy to be fishing any time, but casting with carbon fiber on a small stream is soul-less. Can’t feel the rod, have to watch the rod tip cause I can’t feel the rod get loaded. Fiberglass for me. (It’s what is best for me, if you like something else, that is spectacular!)

 

[Esetter]

Heads up... Gary Loomis, ie Northfork Composites has glass blanks on sale if you like to roll your own. Click on Fly and scroll down to the bottom for the glass.

I'll definitely look that up. My favourite rod of all time is an old (made in Canada) GL2; 9 ft 5 wt. That thing casts like a dream; just when they were figuring out carbon fiber. I think those blanks might be sweet.

 

[Esox]

Promptly went out and got an inexpensive click reel because I don't trust my Islander on a slip ring real seat, and I'm already looking forward to taking it out again.

Cut a couple pieces from a bicycle inner tube and stretch them over the rings. They'll keep them in place, add grip and are warmer for those colder days.

I've not swung a glass rod but I am partial to Loomis IM6. My 16'4 three piece 5wt spey rod has caught a lot of big Chinook and Steelhead.

 

[shoelessjoe]

I picked up a 3wt CGR from Cabela's after reading that fiberglass is making a comeback...Anybody else try out the new 'glass and enjoy it?

View attachment 1151236

Fine looking rig, EB ... & that Bouglé was made for such rods!

I’ve been fishing glass (& bamboo) since the early-‘90s ... started off with a Scott 7’ #3 & then added a Hardy 6-1/2’ #3, an RL Winston 8’ #4 & most recently, one of Yasuyuki Kubuto’s 7’ #3 rods (below).


Back when Tom Morgan owned the RL Winston rod company, he was questioned as to why Twin Bridges wasn’t coming out with as many new rod models, as was the Sage rod company. His reply was simple: “Hey, if a fly rod was a good fly rod thirty-years ago, then it’s still going to be a good rod today”!
Be it bamboo, fiberglass, graphite, etc., Morgan’s logic is as relevant today as it was decades ago.

 

[EB Newfarm]

^^^Wow, that is nice, bamboo reel seat, yellow glass! Tell me about that reel!

 

[shoelessjoe]

...Tell me about that reel!

EB, that’s a South Creek Ltd. reel designed by bamboo rod maker, Mike Clark ... they came in two sizes (3/4 & 5/6) & 4 of those sets featured yellow, fossilized amber crank handles.
Following, is a link to the reels:

Hand Made Custom Bamboo Fly Fishing Rods and Reels By Michael D Clark - South Creek Ltd.

Hand Made Custom Bamboo Fly Fishing Rods and Reels By Michael D Clark in Lyons, Colorado

www.southcreekltd.com

 

[Tricky]

Fine looking rig, EB ... & that Bouglé was made for such rods!

I’ve been fishing glass (& bamboo) since the early-‘90s ... started off with a Scott 7’ #3 & then added a Hardy 6-1/2’ #3, an RL Winston 8’ #4 & most recently, one of Yasuyuki Kubuto’s 7’ #3 rods (below).

Back when Tom Morgan owned the RL Winston rod company, he was questioned as to why Twin Bridges wasn’t coming out with as many new rod models, as was the Sage rod company. His reply was simple: “Hey, if a fly rod was a good fly rod thirty-years ago, then it’s still going to be a good rod today”!
Be it bamboo, fiberglass, graphite, etc., Morgan’s logic is as relevant today as it was decades ago.

Not only is that a beautiful rod/reel combo, that is some great photography!!

 

[shoelessjoe]

Not only is that a beautiful rod/reel combo, that is some great photography!!

Thank you, sir

 

[Buster]

Had to go back a ways to find photos of my 7 foot 6 inch 3 wt Blue Halo.

 

[Buster]

 

[Buster]