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Post 17 Apr 2012, 15:15 • #1 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/21/06
Posts: 3080
Location: Orygun
What graphite rod do you fish that has the 'soul' of glass?

I just fished my 8' 6wt Fenwick HMG over the weekend for the first time in 9 months or so ... I think it qualifies ... has that feel that I really like ... nice slow (for graphite) action ... almost enchanting. Will it ever replace my usage of predominantly glass rods? uh, no. but when I'm carrying two rods on either the river on out on a lake, I'm guessing that the HMG will be with me on a few of those trips ... Not to mention the fact that it is light as a feather.

honorable mention: Redington CT ... just an all-around smooth rod (for graphite).


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Post 17 Apr 2012, 15:27 • #2 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 03/16/08
Posts: 3540
Location: Upstate-NY
I just bought one! (I hope it will qualify ... )

Not in-hand yet, but it's a 1st-generation Orvis Graphite 'Limestone Special' 8'6" 2/1 #6. (early HMG 8'6" #6 was the other rod on my short-list, BTW)

I've owned the seven/eleven, far and fine, and henry's fork models in this same series before and liked them, but had 'glass rods of the same length/line config that I just liked better. But I'm not in love with any of the 8'6" #6 fiberglass that I've tried to date, so I've turned to vintage graphite with a 'glass soul.

And also I'm a sucker for these Orvis rods. Everything about them is just aces, IMO. Best looking and functioning down-locking aluminum hardware ever made, IMO.


Last edited by corlay on 17 Apr 2012, 19:28, edited 1 time in total.

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Post 17 Apr 2012, 16:04 • #3 
Master Guide
Joined: 12/31/09
Posts: 397
Location: US-WA
For me it's a 9ft Winston DL 5wt. Fills that 9ft 5wt spot that would be hard to do with glass


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Post 17 Apr 2012, 17:01 • #4 
Master Guide
Joined: 12/27/08
Posts: 936
Location: Columbia, Mo. USA
old Orvis clearwater series model 795 5 wt. is a sweet rod


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Post 17 Apr 2012, 17:02 • #5 
Sport
Joined: 03/26/12
Posts: 48
Location: southeast Pa
For me its the Scott G2 9ft 5wt. it is the only graphite rod i use anymore these days.


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Post 17 Apr 2012, 17:42 • #6 
Inactive
Joined: 01/28/11
Posts: 306
Location: Black Hills of South Dakota
All the lighter wt (3-4-5) Powell Signature Series rods. Nice mod action - made on blanks rolled with standard graphite they are wonderful rods with a definite nod to glass in them.


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Post 17 Apr 2012, 18:37 • #7 
Master Guide
Joined: 09/03/10
Posts: 866
Location: harriman, tn
Unsanded Orvis Far-n-Fine. I don't know about a "glass" soul, but It reminds me more of a certain 7'9" AJ Thramer boo rod I had the pleasure to play with (not sure of the taper but the rod was named for a certain Oregon river). It has been said that the early Orvis Graphites were designed to emmulate the action of their bamboo rods ... just a whole lot lighter.

Mikey


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Post 17 Apr 2012, 18:54 • #8 
Master Guide
Joined: 04/01/11
Posts: 466
Location: US-UT
Orvis Henry's Fork Superfine. 8.5 foot 5 weight. Smooth as butter.


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Post 17 Apr 2012, 20:25 • #9 
New Member
Joined: 12/18/11
Posts: 19
Location: US-TN
Corlay, Once you have used a "Limestone Special" you won't go back. I've owned two and would like another for a back-up. To me it is about fishing soft hackles and dry flies which it does a great job. If you ever tire of it just let me know. Barry.


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Post 17 Apr 2012, 20:43 • #10 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/19/08
Posts: 2462
Location: Seattle, WA
I have a 6' 6" Shakespeare FY1310A that's has a composite construction (does that count?) and it's a dandy in my book.


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Post 17 Apr 2012, 21:46 • #11 
Master Guide
Joined: 09/26/10
Posts: 547
Location: Montana
My vote would be for the Paul Brown designed Fenwick World Class in the 9 foot 2,3, and 4 weight models from the mid to late 80's. They are probably some of the softest graphite rods ever made. I have seen few rods in any material as soft. They are perfect for the Henry's Fork -)


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Post 18 Apr 2012, 00:08 • #12 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/26/09
Posts: 1106
Location: Richmond, TX
My votes goes to, one, the Fenwick HMG series. I have an 8' - 6 wt. and a 9' - 8 wt. (which is a "T" series and definitely fits this topic). If I can ever find an 8' - 6 wt. "T" series (again, I missed out on one), I would get it and sell the other.

My second vote goes to the Scott G series, including the ARC and Heliply. I have a G 9' - 6 wt. and an 8' 8" - 8 wt. Heliply. I keep a look out for a 4 piece 9' or 8' 8" - 6 wt. at the right price (vs. the 2 piece I have), and would also like to get an ARC 8 wt. at some point.

(I am in the process of selling off my 4 wt. graphite rods, including a Fenwick HMG, as I can do everything I want in that line weight with glass.)

Andrew.


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Post 18 Apr 2012, 00:39 • #13 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/22/09
Posts: 1494
Location: Sweden
Dito on the unsanded Orvis Far&Fine. By far the nicest graphite rod in my line-up.


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Post 18 Apr 2012, 02:21 • #14 
Sport
Joined: 09/16/10
Posts: 80
Location: US-OR
Quote:
honorable mention: Redington CT ... just an all-around smooth rod (for graphite).

My vote goes for the Sage Light Line rods, particularly the LL389 and LL490. The Sage LL's were made from an earlier lower modulus generation of graphite and I've often said that they have a "glass soul." They're smooth, balanced, really great feeling, and IMHO very glass-like. And I agree about the Redington CT. Sage and Redington share the same heritage. Some have said that that the Redington CT is the current ressurected version of the Sage LL.

-Jack


Last edited by jayfisher on 26 Apr 2012, 03:59, edited 1 time in total.

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Post 18 Apr 2012, 05:57 • #15 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/06/07
Posts: 1437
Location: US-VT
There have always been graphite rods with full-flexing tapers. Initially, the reason why graphite took over the market back when it did was due to these familiar easy loading tapers, but with the additional functionality of lighter and longer rods, ie, Harry Wilson's 9ft 4wt Scott G.


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Post 18 Apr 2012, 05:58 • #16 
Master Guide
Joined: 01/10/09
Posts: 499
Location: US-PA
I have an old IM6 I built about maybe 15-20 years ago, a 9' 4wt, hardly a fast rod, it has a nice moderate action and just might see some action on penns this weekend.
ok, I'm outta hear before retro-grouch shows up!


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Post 18 Apr 2012, 06:01 • #17 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/22/09
Posts: 1494
Location: Sweden
If I were to make a list of glasslike graphite rods, it would be mostly shorter rods. I can't get that fiberglass feeling with a 9', 4wt-rod, no matter how fullflexing it is. One of the special features with bamboo and glass is the short length.

This has nothing to do with material, I know, but we are discussing the "soul" of glass, right?

:)


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Post 18 Apr 2012, 06:40 • #18 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/06/07
Posts: 1437
Location: US-VT
In addition to the easy loading taper, the "soul" of glass is its mass, which for me is not necessarily a positive attribute. If I only had the choice between a full flexing relatively heavy, thick walled Orvis Golden Eagle 4/5wt or a light, full flexing T&T Paradigm 8ft 4wt, I'd pick the carbon for its full flex pattern and lightness in the hand.


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Post 18 Apr 2012, 06:44 • #19 
Guide
Joined: 06/25/05
Posts: 239
Location: Albany, NY
I haven't bought a graphite rod in years, but if I did it would definitely be the McFarland Vintage 8'8" 4 wt., the nicest casting graphite rod that I've ever cast. My favorite of the few I still own is the 7'9" 3 wt. Winston LT. I agree with River Hag about the old Orvis Henrys Fork - my first good rod and the one I regret letting go of most.


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Post 18 Apr 2012, 07:32 • #20 
Master Guide
Joined: 04/08/09
Posts: 676
Location: Vermont
clarkman23 wrote:
honorable mention: Redington CT ... just an all-around smooth rod (for graphite).

I just bought another one, the 9ft 4wt. I really like these rods, and at $150 I can basically get a three for the price of one deal. No need to spend $450 on a graphite rod, I've found what it is that I like. I wish they'd give it better cork though ...

BTW, the Redington Drift reel is pretty sweet too. I've tried new Hardy's and a Tibor Light, and still prefer the Drift. And again, at $100 it's hard to beat.


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Post 18 Apr 2012, 07:37 • #21 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/05/06
Posts: 2086
Location: US-PA
The entire Winston DL4 series but especially the 7'6" & 8'0" 3wts. They are some of the most glass-like graphite rods I ever cast, minus the weight.

While no where near as slow as the DL-4 3wts, the Winston WT 8'6" 3wt is one sweet rod as is the 8'0" 4wt Tom Morgan Favorite.

corlay wrote:
I just bought one! (I hope it will qualify ... )

Not in-hand yet, but it's a 1st-generation Orvis Graphite 'Limestone Special' 8'6" 2/1 #6.

I fished the daylights out of mine back in the day. I got so sentimental I bought it back from the friend I sold it to 20+ years ago and still fish it on occasion.


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Post 18 Apr 2012, 07:49 • #22 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 03/16/08
Posts: 3540
Location: Upstate-NY
tabornatives wrote:
In addition to the easy loading taper, the "soul" of glass is its mass, which for me is not necessarily a positive attribute.

I agree that mass plays and important part in the "soul".

For rods 7'6" and less, I've never understood why folks get caught up in physical rod weight? I've cast a 1oz graphite rod before and *hated* it! The line I was casting weighed more then the rod did. What a weird sensation that was to me.


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Post 18 Apr 2012, 08:05 • #23 
Piscator
Joined: 08/10/05
Posts: 19077
Location: downtown Bulverde, Texas
Fisher


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Post 18 Apr 2012, 08:13 • #24 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/21/06
Posts: 3080
Location: Orygun
burkholder wrote:
BTW, the Redington Drift reel is pretty sweet too. I've tried new Hardy's and a Tibor Light, and still prefer the Drift. And again, at $100 it's hard to beat.

I agree completely. These days, I use one on my Steffen ... just a really nicely built little reel. I just wish they also made it in 8wt size.


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Post 18 Apr 2012, 08:36 • #25 
Sport
Joined: 03/31/12
Posts: 26
Location: US-VA
I have an older Orvis superfine, a series or two before the trout bum version came out. It's a 4wt, 7'11", full flex 4.5, and I love it. In fact, looking back now, that is what has led me to fiberglass. I couldn't find another rod to match it's action other than fiberglass. I actually fished it saturday for native brookies, and other than the length, it did really well. But for tight streams, it's just easier with a shorter rod. Even the new superfines seem a lot stiffer, and just don't have that feel to them.


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