If you can only keep one rod?

[Brooktrout3333]

Am I crazy ? I have collected fly rods for over forty years, most built by some of Americans best Rodsmiths. Many bamboo, a few in SGlass and graphite. But if the time came that I could only keep One rod, and had to fish only my home waters ( NC\ Tenn- Blue Ridge) I would pick my old and cheap graphite Orvis Far and Fine 7’9” 5 Wt. The rod built in 1989 was a couple hundred of dollars, one- tenth the cost of most of my bamboo rods . Don’t get me wrong many of my bamboo cast great and are beautiful, I’d really miss a few of them . The same for SGlass , their feel especially in 3/4 Wt is something special. Sure an extra foot on occasion would be nice . A 3 weight instead of 5 would be much better on small brookie creeks . But if it came down to One … Orvis Graphite Far & Fine it would be. What’s yours ?

[Eric Peper]

If I could only keep one rod, I'd probably go back to golf in a big way. AT least I'd have 14 clubs. :=)

[Rockthief]

My Orvis Rocky Mountain is a lesser adorned version of the Far and FIne. It is the easiest casting rod I own, quite remarkable. There are many good rods in my storage area but none are as versatile as this one.

[Caneghost]

If I could only keep "one" I would put three favorites in a 2" dia. tube!

[Brooktrout3333]

You guys are too funny … but I do agree the Old Orvis Rocky Mt Far & Fine is a very versatile and sweet casting rod.

[PYochim]

Winston 8 foot 5 weight pre-IM6 for the graphites, for the bamboos, that’s yet to be determined.

[GetnThere]

I don't have a favorite yet. Hopefully my 1st bamboo self made rod will be "that rod" but chances are, per discussion hear, that it won't turn out that great. Reality anything is fishable and I like the top 2 sections of a 3 section fiberglass rod attached to a handle I made. Go figure.lol

[Eperous]

I now possess some baker-dozen cane rods--- and sold/disposed of more b4 this; so if I could one keep one fly rod, regardless of its composition, it would be one of my Orvis cane Battenkills... They can do everything I ask of them and never ask for anything from me...

Ed

[kevinhaney1]

[Brian K. Shaffer]

Could we possibly be allowed just one more... unforseen accidental breakage fly rod.

I never go anywhere without a backup...

[bassman]

If I could only keep one rod, I'd probably go back to golf in a big way. AT least I'd have 14 clubs. :=)

I always compare fishing in a bass boat in a tournament like golf. You don't go out with a driver and a putter to play 18 holes. Well, I suppose Tiger could now that he's back.

I'd go with the last Gnome rod I have left, a 7'9" Penta 3/4 weight that comes alive with a Wullf 3wt Longbelly. I'd keep a lot of my standard gear for bass and catfish but the Penta would handle everything else.

[AlexP]

Rick Robbins "Steeves 726" 7' 2/2 5 wt. This is my choice among all my rods to the OP question.

However, if there was a fire in my house and I could only grab one rod and loose all the others forever, it would be between two rods, Bill Critchfield 7'3" 2/2 5 wt and Radivoj Savli, jan96 in this forum, 7'3" 3/2 4/5 wt. Both rods are very unique and would not be possible to replicate them. It would be easier to replace Rick Robbins' rod....

If I had to sell all my rods (for economic reasons), these three would be the last ones advertised in the Classifieds.

Tight Lines

[Don fleming]

I do love my sage 5wt,for feel and casting my trout or salmon flies

[WINDCHEATER]

SAGE RP OR RPL--9' 4PC 4 0R 5WT

CAUGHT MANY TROUT AND A FEW LANDLOCKS ON THESE RODS

[mwleapjr]

I'm sure you meant one graphite, one glass, and one bamboo fly rod, right?! In which case, I would select:
graphite - Sage RPLX 9' 7 wt for my tailwater fishing for both trout and striped bass and for snook on SW Florida trips
glass - Fenwick Feralite 8' 6 wt for bream fishing
bamboo - W&M Stream & Lake 8642 5 wt for mountain trout streams (along of course with my Granger 8642 which matches it ferrule wise for that must have back up as wisely pointed out!)
Fun posts. Thanks.

[JohnMD1022]

8’3” 5 wt custom Hexagraph, built by the late Walton Powell.

After that, we get into toss-up territory. My 5’ 10.25 Farlow one piece was fabulous, but I recently gave it to Mike Watriss of Great Feathers. I love my Cortland 6.5 foot cane rod and my 7 foot glass Scott 3 wt.

And, of course , there is a list of wants should I win the lottery.

[Phil13]

Geez, you mean I’ve spent all this time and money trying to make a bamboo rod when I just coulda’ bought a Sage? Now, ya tell me…


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[Bugtussel]

Hmmmm. As much as I love my Grangers it's a toss up between these two rods.

Lancaster Savage River(PHY Driggs taper) or 8' 2 piece 6wt from GLOOMIS IM6 I built in the 90's.

[thegreek]

Even though I have several great rods, my choice is easy: a George Maurer Starlight Creek Special 764-3/2. Here in the Driftless, the Starlight Creek rod excels in every facet of my fishing day, including fond memories of Harry Middleton and George Maurer.

[Kono]

Well it is all about are in it to kill fish or for the sport of it.. to kill stick with the Orvis. for sport and excitement go with Bamboo. I put away my graft rods years ago and went back to Bamboo. now I look for the real old ones 100 to 150 years old they will really put your skills to the test.
Bob