Livingston 764
Livingston 865
Kenny 835

done

My wife owns a horse, therefore really encourages me to purchase any fly fishing gear I want. I’d have to work pretty hard to exceed the horse budget!

My collection has “progressed” from “factory”, to a custom rod builder, to knowing who designs and (in some cases) is making the tapers; it’s just cool for me to know (and support) the people doing the design and work.

I’m happy to ramble-on about why each of the rods listed is special, just ask!

3wt.
Graywolf Troutsmiths Carbon 8’

4wt
Epic 476
Livingston Western Glass 8’9”
Livingston YS Fast. 9’
Graywolf Troutsmiths Carbon 8’6”

5wt
Livingston Western Glass 8’6”
Echo 3 10’
Graywolf Troutsmiths Carbon 8’6”

6wt
Livingston YS Fast 9’
Echo 3 9’
Epic 876

7wt
Blue Halo Gen II 8’6” (two of these)

8wt
Blue Halo Zen 8’6”
Reddington Vapen 9’.
I can find good in almost everything, this rod is no exception, the red golf grip handle is great. But it’s no joy to cast.

2 weights
Scott F652/3

3 weights
Hardy “The Stream”

4 weights
Scott F754/3
Hardy Palakona “The Gladstone” (7ft cane)
Hardy Marvel (7 1/2ft cane)

5 weights
Hardy Trout Fisher
Scientific Anglers System 5
Livingston Western Glass 895-4
L.L.Bean pack rod made by Timberline (Bill Franke) on a Lamiglas blank
Sage Z-Axis (carbon)
Sage RPL (early 90’s carbon)
Sage DS (early 90’s carbon)

6 weights
Hardy Fibalite Perfection (9’)
Sage Z-Axis (carbon)

Most used in 2020 (in order)
Scott 754/3 (small streams and headwaters)
Livingston Western Glass (bigger water, dry droppers)
Sage Z-Axis 6wt (my go-to for hurling big multi-fly nymph rigs)
Bean pack rod by Bill Franke

Hmmmm... seems like I could cut things down a bit, huh...

I can understand the strong 5 - just thought by your MD location you'd have a lot of big Smallmouth and trout water relatively close by, and have need for a big 6 and even 7 wts. for that kind of fishing. Use to be the only rod I had was an eight foot 5-6 weight graphite and used it for everything. Enlightenment gets expensive.

MD waters have gone downhill in the past 15 years or so.... smallies in the 8-12” range.... not as many bluegills... trout average 7-12” ( though I’ve snagged a few 14-16 inchers) but that’s about it.... due to taking care of 91 year old mom, wife and a pair of Labs I don’t get to travel too far... but I’m sure grateful for what I do have!

Im embarrassed to say how many fiberglass fly poles i have now. But with 5-6 wt rods being my favorite i have about 20 of Fenwick and Phillipsons in those line weights (includes multiples of several models).

Gene,
Now you just need an FF79, FF84 and FF85-3 (6wt version) Maybe an FF70, FF75 while your at it.

The FF856-5 is also a neat rod. Those 6wt Fenwick's were amazing rods.

Well now I’m at least semi retired and ended up not living at the beach I decided with what time I have left I’m just gonna fish the fishing I treasure most... trout and bluegills with an odd smallie thrown in so my Holy Trinity changed somewhat...
Kabuto 773 (really a 4)
Livingston 764
Barclay 79 4/5

My go to rod for the last two seasons has been a Scott FS 724. Really like that one. Just sold a FS 663 to finance a Kabuto 663. Such a good price on the Kab I couldn’t pass. Figured I can always find another FS 663 down the road. It’s real point and shoot rod with a Rio Gold 3wt.

Received two more rods on the same day a week ago. Try explaining that one to your wife. Anyway one is a Scott F703, regretted selling the last one so found another. The other rod that day was a Kabuto 704 fresh from Kab himself. If it casts half as good as it looks I’ll be very happy.

Once I’m done paying for those I’ll be looking to add a Scott F764 and another Kabuto. Don’t know which one yet but leaning towards the 79345.

Over the last 2 1/2 years, I have only added about 3 rods to my list: a 7' 2/3 weight Fisher glass, a CTS 7'6" 3 weight, and most notably a Tom Morgan 8' 4 piece 5 weight built by Graywolf. I have also moved some rods out: an 8' 2 pc. 4 weight Diamondglass, a Browning Silaflex 7'6' 4 pc. 6 weight, and for some reason I don't yet understand, an 8' 4/5 weight Steffen.

Larry

I’m such a sucker for this thread.

Rods that are currently ready to fish:

Single hand
Steffen 8’ 3/4
Silaflex 322970 (7’ 5wt)
Epic 686
Paddock 836
Harnell 645
Steffen 8’6” 7/8
Epic 890C (graphite)
Fenwick FL102-8 (8’6” 8wt - going to rebuild this one tho)
Steffen 8’ 8/9

Two hand
Echo Glass switch 10’6” 3wt
James Green Trophy Trout 10’ 5/6wt
Bob Meiser 11’7” 5/6 Highlander S (graphite)
Seele/McFarland 10’7” 8wt
CTS Quartz DH 11’6” #6 (more like a 7/8)
Epic DH11 (11’6” 8/9)
Fenwick FF1200-3 (12ft, rated as a single hand 11wt)
Echo Glass Spey 12’7” 7wt
Epic DH13 13’ 8wt (graphite)

Rods or blanks I need to build or finish:

James Green 7’9” 2wt
McFarland 7’6” #3 (on its way)
Fenwick FL92-6 (7’6” 6wt)
Sage BSFL686 (8’6” 6wt)
North Fork Composites 9ft 6wt (graphite)
SI System 10 (9’1” 10wt)

I think that’s everything.

Down to three,
Phillipson MF 60C
Steffen 4/5
Steffen 5/6

All these rods still see some time on the water.



Additions that have made the rotation.

6'6" 3wt Ijuin Yomogi
7'6" 5/6wt Cummings River Rat
9' 5/6wt Cortland Leon Chandler