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Post 09 Jul 2019, 09:17 • #101 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 11/06/17
Posts: 2498
Location: South of Joplin
St Croix did their own thing starting ~'49-50 and iirc had at least one foreign manufacturer licensed to use their process and name; in Norway or Denmark, I think, maybe. They provided blanks to others and finished rods. Herters used them and some Cortlands have obvious St Croix markings, imo. Really no sure way of telling who made some 'glass as store brands or trade goods.

Smoothest rod for me depends on the day and the line/reel combo I happen to use, yesterday and the day before it was the Denco with 1495 1/2 and SA level line, that combo just worked, and the smb were cooperative; a couple times it has been the FF80 or the old St Croix. The FR2000 that I once had was nice most days, but I probably only had one reel/ line that just happened to click with it at the time, probably the 1498 and a SA Supreme DT.
I some times think it may reflect the leader I used. Wind, sun, rain, tilt of the earth on a given day all affect how the rods respond to my efforts and how I respond to them.


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Post 09 Jul 2019, 15:40 • #102 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/19/14
Posts: 3924
Location: USA - Illinois
This old thread has pulled me in - I have two rods that I would classify as smoooooth - a Paddock Brown Series 7'6" 3 pc. 4 weight, and Chris Barclay's new Driftless Special, 7'2" 3 pc. 4 wt.. I have a new to me Paddock Brown 7' 3 pc. 3 wt. on its way, and I'm hopeful it will join to make a trio.


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Post 09 Jul 2019, 16:26 • #103 
Guide
Joined: 01/27/12
Posts: 210
Location: US-PA
6'-9" #3 Tom Morgan Glass. The smoothest rod I have ever handled.


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Post 09 Jul 2019, 21:14 • #104 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/26/12
Posts: 1188
Location: Fairfax, Virginia
6footrod,

I wiggled that TM 6'9" 3 wt rod this winter and am warming up to it for some of my headwaters small stream outings :)

Pecos


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Post 10 Jul 2019, 00:32 • #105 
Sport
Joined: 01/21/17
Posts: 93
Location: US-WI
I don't generally fish an 8 1/2 foot 6 weight on the Wis. streams I frequent, but I have to say that my Fenwick FF86 is probably the smoothest rod I've cast. Smoother than my ff705, ff755, ff805, ff70, ff75 or ff79. But I do favor the ff705.


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Post 10 Jul 2019, 03:40 • #106 
Guide
Joined: 02/08/13
Posts: 156
Location: Nomadic
pmagas wrote:
Duff, I'm with you on the Hardy Perfection. I recently sold it to a good friend. Smooth as room temp butter.


What years were the Hardy Perfections referred to in this topic made?


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Post 10 Jul 2019, 07:58 • #107 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/05/07
Posts: 2153
Location: West Virginia
Mahseer, here is what was written about the Perfection years ago by Kinzua:

“The Hardy Glass Perfections, a 6-1/2' 3wt and 7-1/2' 4 wt, were introduced in 1998 and discontinued in 2006. The rods were made in England, and befitting His or Her Royal Highness, came with the following appointments: polished black blank with ruby wraps and spiral handwritten script in white, jewel-like fittings, ferrule plugs, and deluxe rod bag. The rod series was designed by Roy Bell of Hardy and were available only in the U.S. and Japan. The retail price was $375 back in 1998 (a steal), but rose to $695 by 2006. Some closeouts could be found at $495 (still a bargain). I once owned the 4wt, sold it because it was too slow, and now wish I had one. The 4wt was not a good searching rod (too slow), but excelled once the quarry was spotted."

FWIW, I have never cast another glass rod that has the same weighty, butter-smooth feel.

Edit: While researching for Mahseer I found out when I bought my Perfection and what I paid for it. Hard to believe I've had it that long and even harder to believe that I paid that much for it. Obviously 2008 was during my insanely over-the-top glass rod obsessed phase.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5583


Last edited by Duff on 11 Jul 2019, 12:31, edited 2 times in total.

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Post 10 Jul 2019, 14:06 • #108 
Guide
Joined: 02/08/13
Posts: 156
Location: Nomadic
Thanks Duff. Fact that they were only sold in US and Japan explains the mystery of why I cannot find any in the U.K.!


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Post 10 Jul 2019, 17:16 • #109 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/18/09
Posts: 5561
Location: Relocated to the Drought Stricken West.
Duff wrote:
I once owned the 4wt, sold it because it was too slow, and now wish I had one.

Have I got a rod for you.


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Post 10 Jul 2019, 20:56 • #110 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/05/07
Posts: 2153
Location: West Virginia
Carl, that was from Kinzua's post on the Perfection. I'm all set - still have my 7'6" #4. Don't you still have the 6'6" #3?

(As many here might remember, Kinzua passed away some years ago. John was a frequent contributor on the FFR and his expertise has been greatly missed.)


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Post 10 Jul 2019, 21:12 • #111 
Guide
Joined: 05/02/12
Posts: 100
Location: US-CT
8'1" Hallowell black e-glass. A McFarland rolled blank to Bobs spec.


tt


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Post 10 Jul 2019, 22:09 • #112 
Guide
Joined: 12/09/11
Posts: 164
Location: US-MN
I agree with the others on the 7 1/2' 4wt Hardy Perfection. One of the smoothest rods I've ever cast and a real pleasure to fish.


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Post 11 Jul 2019, 17:48 • #113 
New Member
Joined: 02/21/19
Posts: 23
Location: US-VA
8'1" Hallowell black e-glass. A McFarland rolled blank to Bobs spec.

I will second this. Just received it last month - you can see pics in the photo section.


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Post 12 Jul 2019, 12:51 • #114 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/21/06
Posts: 3081
Location: Orygun
ah yes, the good ole' 10 year old post...it's really too bad some of those folks no longer post.

That said, I have a tough time picking just one "smoothest" rod. My Steffens are damn smooth, so is my Fisher 7wt. Then again my newly acquired Seele 8wt is perhaps smoother than the Steffens...but I keep coming back to that Fisher. Oh so sweet, silky & smooth...


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Post 12 Jul 2019, 20:51 • #115 
Master Guide
Joined: 02/04/12
Posts: 705
Location: SE Pa
carlz wrote:
Duff wrote:
I once owned the 4wt, sold it because it was too slow, and now wish I had one.

Have I got a rod for you.

The 7'3" 2636-A Garcia Conolon is super smooth, (and slower than most). Granted, it's appointed as a "blue" series which some people seem to not like, however I think they are pretty. But the blank is a seriously sweet for short & medium distances, I think I read where it was one of the few carry-overs during the transition from Conolon - I'd appreciate it if anyone could confirm or nix that. But anyways, it's a joy to get in tune with and calms me mentally.


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Post 12 Jul 2019, 22:35 • #116 
Master Guide
Joined: 07/12/17
Posts: 390
Location: SW B.C.
My 8', 6 wt. Heddon #75 Trout Black Beauty is definitely my smoothest caster at all distances. I've had some stiff, grossly underrated (line weights) Heddons, but this one is a full-flexing peach.


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Post 13 Jul 2019, 02:56 • #117 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 08/14/06
Posts: 1227
Location: Panther City, Texas
SAltsh wrote:
The McFarland 8' 3 pc. 5 wt.'s been the smoothest rod I've cast, with his 8'2" 4 wt. and his 7 wts very close. Thinking about it some more, his 7 wt rods might actually capture that "smooth" feeling best - you just feel the whole cast. To me, "smooth" is the word I use most to describe Mike's rods - for my casting stroke I just love feeling his rods load and unload. I don't mean to sound like a commercial for Mike, but I think for the way I cast these are just very special tapers. - Steve


I believe SAltsh is referring to Mike's original Spruce Creek glass rods, sanded brown blank, rolled to his specs by a still unnamed source.
I agree completely with Steve's description of these fine rods, still my favorite McFarland model. I have 794/4 and a 797/3 built by Mike and a 806/3 built from a blank. All three are very special rods but the 7 weight stands out. I still use this rod often and it's among the glass rods I think of as the smoothest. Others include Steffen's 8'6 5/6, Kenney's 8'3 4/5 and the Quiet Loop 805/3.


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Post 13 Jul 2019, 06:38 • #118 
Master Guide
Joined: 02/04/12
Posts: 705
Location: SE Pa
Shrimpman wrote:
My 8', 6 wt. Heddon #75 Trout Black Beauty is definitely my smoothest caster at all distances. I've had some stiff, grossly underrated (line weights) Heddons, but this one is a full-flexing peach.

Shrimpman, which Heddon action does your rod have, is it still usable on the blank ?


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Post 13 Jul 2019, 13:00 • #119 
Master Guide
Joined: 07/27/18
Posts: 375
Location: Probably at a Diner in Eastern PA
:lol Just because I like pissing off purists, my favorite smooth casting "glass" rod is a SAGE 389 LL. Seriously, It's just next level joy inside of 50 Ft. OK, it's not glass. Just close your eyes.


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Post 13 Jul 2019, 13:50 • #120 
Master Guide
Joined: 07/12/17
Posts: 390
Location: SW B.C.
springer1 wrote:
Shrimpman wrote:
My 8', 6 wt. Heddon #75 Trout Black Beauty is definitely my smoothest caster at all distances. I've had some stiff, grossly underrated (line weights) Heddons, but this one is a full-flexing peach.

Shrimpman, which Heddon action does your rod have, is it still usable on the blank ?

This earlier Heddon says, "Heddon Pal Black Beauty #75 Trout". I've briefly had glass ferruled Heddons, rated "for six weight lines" that were "controlled flex action', which I assumed would be fuller flexing than the "tip flex" (I believe that was the term), but they barely loaded with an eight line!

Image
Image
Image


I will have to get around to removing the usual brittle, yellowed Heddon varnish from the wraps...


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Post 13 Jul 2019, 14:07 • #121 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/18/09
Posts: 5561
Location: Relocated to the Drought Stricken West.
frogmorton wrote:
SAltsh wrote:
The McFarland 8' 3 pc. 5 wt.'s been the smoothest rod I've cast, with his 8'2" 4 wt. and his 7 wts very close.


I believe SAltsh is referring to Mike's original Spruce Creek glass rods, sanded brown blank, rolled to his specs by a still unnamed source.
I agree completely with Steve's description of these fine rods, still my favorite McFarland model. I have 794/4 and a 797/3 built by Mike and a 806/3 built from a blank. All three are very special rods but the 7 weight stands out.


I fell in love with one of Mike's brown 7wt's labeled "Juniata" I cast it, but couldn't spend the money at that time to buy it. The GTX 8'6" 6wt isn't the same, but is a better fishing rod.


I think I've figured out what "smooth" means to me. A progressive rod where the mid-section loads on short casts with relaxed arm and wrist motions. These rods "cast themselves" at normal fishing distances.


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Post 13 Jul 2019, 19:08 • #122 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 08/14/06
Posts: 1227
Location: Panther City, Texas
Carlz, "Juniata" is included in the inscription of my 797, I believe it's the name of a creek in Pennsylvania (?). I bought it on this board when Mike posted it and a 707 (billed as a 7 and 7) for sale as demos after taking them on the fly fishing show circuit in 2009 (?). It's probably the very rod you almost bought so long ago. My good luck that you didn't. He was and is a very talented designer and builder and he must be a good guy considering the staunch cadre of friends and allies he has here and elsewhere.


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Post 13 Jul 2019, 20:46 • #123 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/18/09
Posts: 5561
Location: Relocated to the Drought Stricken West.
If you ever decide to sell it, let me know. It probably is the very rod I cast. And yes, The Juniata is is a river that feeds the Susquehanna. It is a good smallmouth river lower down. The Little Juniata (little J) is a good trout creek. I always figured that it was named for the main river as it would be a perfect smallmouth rod.


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Post 13 Jul 2019, 22:03 • #124 
Guide
Joined: 10/31/08
Posts: 134
Location: Canada
frogmorton wrote:
SAltsh wrote:
I believe SAltsh is referring to Mike's original Spruce Creek glass rods, sanded brown blank, rolled to his specs by a still unnamed source.


I’ve always wondered, Anyone know is there a difference in the tapers between the brown spruce creeks and the yellow that immediately followed them?


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Post 23 Jul 2019, 12:58 • #125 
Master Guide
Joined: 05/20/12
Posts: 980
Location: Eugene, OR
“Smooth” (to me) is an action that gets close to a one-piece rod, regardless of the number of ferrules. The Garcia Americana rods make me think “smooth.” The Browning Silaflex 3-series, light as can be and made from s-glass, are smooth casters. Lamiglas also gets my vote, especially the 605 and 705 configurations; smooth and slow, in a delightful way. Several four-piece Fenwick voyageur rods come to mind, but those are well covered on this forum.


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