Well not really. I did set a new record. I broke three Graphite fly rods in 10 months. Not bragging but I did. My budget is gone. Vacation is in a week (Green River, UT). So I ordered the cheapest fiberglass rod I could find until this vacation blows over and I can think things through a bit. I'm new to this forum and I'm awestruck that all this info is available to me. I'm also not familiar with descriptive terms and brands related to old glass and have only been fly fishing for a year.

I thought glass was dead. Doesn't look like it.

So I have two questions and I hope you'll be able to guide along:
1) The rod I bought is an Eagle Claw 7/8 crafted glass. What should I expect from it as far as casting is concerned. should I use 7, 8 or other wt line.
2) What would be a good classic and affordable fiberglas battle-axe for future use with streamers for under $100. I realize there is orient-made stuff in this category but I have strong feelings to buy American and preferably old and respected.

My target species is simple. Panfish and Pickerel. Occasionally I allow a bass onto the line but would prefer not to.

Best Regards!
Baron

Judging by the price of EC rods they are most likely manufactured overseas but I do not know that for sure and I love bass... Have you looked at the For Sale items on this board? Lunker75 has some nice sticks for sale in your price range and welcome!

I have that rod in a 3wt . It's okay but kind of clumsy feeling . Mine likes a 4wt line so yours probably will do well with an 8wt . As far as casting , I let the rod tell me what it likes . As for an older rod I cant tell you as I dont like them but I have built several glass rods and my favorite so far is the Blue Halo . I dont know where it's made and dont care , its mid priced and nice . Good luck on the Green and your search .

One of the major problems I've seen when trying to compare vintage fiberglass to graphite rods is the terminology written on them. Case in point I saw an old Phillipson with 4.5oz on it and my graphite has 6wt written on it. The old phillipson Is surely more accommodating and but what weight is it, not what does it weigh. It seems that allot of old fiberglass are missing the wt rating. It would seem, in some ways, that they aren't really comparable as their actions are quite different. So how does one know if an unrated vintage rod will toss a heavy #4 streamer or only be useful for smaller panfish and trout. Modern graphite rods are well marked in their action and tips and your experience is likely to bear out those ratings.

A rule of thumb that works for me on vintage rods,
Seven foot and shorter: 5/6 lines
71/2’: 6/7lines
8’: 7/8 lines
This is a good starting point for rods that are old enough to not have line ratings or the letter ratings only.

Tim

Thanks for reassuring me. The rod arrives tomorrow night and then Friday morning off to Utah. So I'll have little time to play with it. I know that once I put my light rod to use the whole world slows down and the sport becomes much more relaxing.
I believe that fiberglas is the direction I want to go. It will take time to re-assess my preferences in terminal add-ons and flies as well.