Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2012 1:36:48 GMT -6
Well my addiction has just taken me to the next level. I'm now up to 14 rods, 4 of which are new for 2012. Yes...I have a problem. Typically I bring 3 rods with me in the float tube and they all get used. Here's my latest lineup: 10' 4wt St.Croix High Stick Drifter 9' 5wt St.Croix Legend Elite 9' 5wt St.Croix Bank Robber 11' 6wt Hardy Marksman Drifter The St.Croix's are all still on order and should be in within a few weeks. The Hardy just came in yesterday and all I can say is...WOW! The build quality is exceptional! When I first picked up the box from the post office I thought I got screwed! It was WAY too light to be holding an 11' 6wt! However when I pulled it out my jaw dropped. Everything about it reeks high end. I wouldn't normally splurge on such an item but it came up on eBay and was too good to pass up. I got it for a steal and it fills my 6wt stillwater slot perfectly! It came in a carbon fibre rod tube with removable neoprene cover. It also has a removable fighting butt which can be swapped out for a shorter butt that came with it. I also picked up three Airflo, 6wt lines for it. Slow Inter, Fast Inter, Di5, and an Airflo Cassette reel to hold them. I'm set for the parklands! Here's some teaser shots.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2012 9:41:05 GMT -6
And here I thought GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) was reserved for guitarists. ;D
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2012 14:45:57 GMT -6
Not quite so lucky! Sage One 6100 on order Redington Rise 5/6 Reel and spare spool (Made by Sage) Spare Spool for my Islander 3.4LX
|
|
|
Post by brucerap on Feb 17, 2012 17:11:30 GMT -6
I await the upcoming yard sales....
Nice sticks, guys.
|
|
|
Post by lockport1850 on Feb 17, 2012 21:11:22 GMT -6
Didgeridoo,
How do you see the 11 footer helping out compared to a 9 foot?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2012 21:51:45 GMT -6
John, that Sage One will be killer for fishing the stillwaters! Definitely a killer stick! Thanks Bruce, I think I might have to offload a couple. Can only use one at a time anyways. lol lockport1850 For fishing rivers: added reach and easier roll casting. For lake fishing: extra leverage to make up for sitting in a float tube. Also you can punch your line into the wind better with a longer rod, and you can cast indicator and tandem fly rigs easier.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2012 23:03:13 GMT -6
Oh baby! St. Croix order arrived today! I am seriously impressed with the quality on these sticks! They're crazy light! The Legend Elite weighs only 2.8oz! I can't wait to toss these sticks at some fish! The reel seats on the High Stick and Bank Robber are skeletalized and look wicked! Nick
|
|
|
Post by Dale Martens on Feb 18, 2012 2:22:55 GMT -6
Hey Nick...
Good looking rods!
How do the Bank Robber and Legend Elite differ?
Ever looked at the Yellowstone Angler Shoot-outs - 5 weight and 8 weight?
Legend Elites are always right up there and everybody in on the testing seems to like'em.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2012 7:08:28 GMT -6
Dale, the Bank Robber is designed for streamer fishing specifically. It's flex and taper are designed for turning over flies and bombing casts with a weight forward line. Fluffchucker!
The legend elite is a much lighter blank, almost a full oz lighter. I'll be using it more for dry flies, matched up with a double taper line for more of a finesse approach.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2012 9:40:21 GMT -6
Lovin' the finish on those new St. Croix's Nick!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2012 18:13:28 GMT -6
Ya they did a great job on them!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2012 19:25:57 GMT -6
Nick, that Hardy rod looks awesome! Santa left me a Grey's 8wt Carnivore this year and I can't wait to break 'er in. If I ever win the lottery I'm buying a hardy demon reel.
Do you have any 10 foot 8wts in your arsenal? If you do, how do like the way they cast?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2012 21:27:30 GMT -6
That Greys is a nice rod too!
I have a 10' 7wt Echo Ion that I really like. It's not too heavy, punches flies into the wind with ease, and is sub-$200. It also has enough backbone to deal with the larger trout in the parklands.
Hardy makes unbelievable products! Everything is top quality craftsmanship and their reels are unreal! The Demon is the most expensive cassette reel I've ever seen. Lol. I have an Airflo cassette that came with 4 clear polycarbonate spools and the reel was under $100. It's no Hardy but allows me to swap lines very quickly.
Nick
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2012 22:24:47 GMT -6
I also have an echo ion but its only 9ft. Great rods, and they look cool too.
I was curious how 10ft rods in bigger weights (8 and up) cast, especially if your chuckin' big flies. I have a 10ft 6wt and its my favorite rod. The extra foot seems to help bomb out casts, and I find it easier to open up loops if you are casting multi-fly rigs with indicators. I can't really explain it but the longer rod just has a feel that I prefer. I wonder if those characteristics and feel would be the same in larger rods? Or is it just too much rod to cast, and you're arm will fall off after 10 minutes of casting?
I have the Greys GX700 and GX500 reels and love them. They look nice, are easy to change out, and have excellent drag systems.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2012 12:08:35 GMT -6
Ya I have a 9'6 8wt and a 10'6 9wt that I both like. They do get to you after 12+ hours of fluff chucking at the beginning of the season but your arm will get stronger. lol. Start working out now to prepare for pike fishing!
I just find I can get that line and fly out of the water easier than with the standard 9ft. I run a 9wt intermediate line and with one quick roll cast before starting my false cast, I can get it to where I need it and bomb out a cast with little to no effort.
Cassette reels are fantastic for stillwater fishing. I do have higher end, non-cassette reels for my 4 and 5wt rods though since I'm typically running floating DT line and just add poly leaders for river fishing.
Nick
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2012 12:12:59 GMT -6
Geez, I just pulled out all my rods...count is up to 12! I gave a Sage 8wt to my friend in Tbay! The list doesn't include a couple broken rods I have sitting as well. lol. I have a problem...
St.Croix Legend Ultra 10'6" 9wt Sage FLI 9' 9wt St.Croix Legend Ultra 9'6" 8wt St.Croix Legend Ultra 9'6" 7wt ECHO Ion 10' 7wt Hardy Marksman Drifter 11' 6wt Guideline ACT4 9' 6wt Fish Logic FLO+ 9' 6wt (giving to my grasshoppa though!) Sage FLI 9' 5wt St.Croix Legend Elite 9' 5wt St.Croix Bank Robber 9' 5wt St.Croix High Stick Drifter 10' 4wt
|
|
|
Post by brucerap on Feb 26, 2012 15:29:37 GMT -6
One of those broken rods an 8 wt. Nick? I need to get one this year I think. BTW - I don't see the problem you're referring to.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2012 20:12:52 GMT -6
If Nick can't help you out I might be able to. I have far too many 8wt rods and need to sell a few to thin things out a bit. I have a few different brand rods and different lengths.
|
|
|
Post by Dale Martens on Feb 29, 2012 20:08:13 GMT -6
I'm siding with brucerap on that one... I see no evidence whatsover of a problem...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2012 4:34:11 GMT -6
That Greys is a nice rod too! I have a 10' 7wt Echo Ion that I really like. It's not too heavy, punches flies into the wind with ease, and is sub-$200. It also has enough backbone to deal with the larger trout in the parklands. I'll back this Rod as well. I have it lined with a WF8 Rio Versitip, which for smaller V.I. streams performs single hand (shorter 30-50')spey casts phenomenally well for smaller island streams, as well as a compact-scandi spey line that I use in distance situations with poly-tips, as well as skating dry flies for summer run steelhead. I've taken the rod to hell and back it seems and have taken fish to net from Parkland Trout, to Bass, to steelhead, to all pacific salmon species including 30+lb Chinook Salmon without feeling like I was undergunned (ok, maybe a few of the chinooks...) on it and have no regrets. It's still one of my favorite sticks in my quivers despite the wear and tear it has received and I would recommend it to anyone, especially at that price!
|
|