Got a new rod lately? # 2
Moderator: TheMontyMan
Re: Got a new rod lately? # 2
#3523My most recent purchase is a 1971 Hardy Phantom, 8ft, 5wt, two piece. I bought it in new and unused condition with the shrink wrap still on the grip. I have fished it only once so far and found it a real delight - crisp and accurate.
Stephen
Stephen
Re: Got a new rod lately? # 2
#3524Went to Heddonfest to meet up with Rob Hoffhines, who built this 8' 2/2 4/5 wt (based on a Payne 200L) for me over the winter as well as made a 2nd tip for this 7'0" rod of his that he built in 2011....plus he gave it a new reel seat. Not the best photo, taken in evening before I headed back to MN.
Re: Got a new rod lately? # 2
#3525My nominee for photo of the year?
Wow, I can smell that smoked cane from here. I want to curl up next to it. A lovely finish, a custom pair, and a great history. Well composed!
Wow, I can smell that smoked cane from here. I want to curl up next to it. A lovely finish, a custom pair, and a great history. Well composed!
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Re: Got a new rod lately? # 2
#3526Wow, what a fabulous pick-up, Jeff! I can't wait to see the before and after pictures!
Rupert
Rupert
Re: Got a new rod lately? # 2
#3527My new rod! An Art Weiler "Small Stream Rod" 7' 3/2 3-4 wt.
Took it out for a proper christening on the small stream I had in mind when I called Art about this rod and its taper.
The rod didn't disappoint.
Took it out for a proper christening on the small stream I had in mind when I called Art about this rod and its taper.
The rod didn't disappoint.
In the night I dreamed of trout-fishing - The Maine Woods - Henry David Thoreau
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Re: Got a new rod lately? # 2
#3529Beautiful rod - Beautiful Stream - Beautiful Brown ! What's not to love about that?! Great pics that show what it's really all about. Thanks!
Re: Got a new rod lately? # 2
#3530McHull:
Truly a beautiful rod, fine trout, gorgeous stream, and absolutely superb photos. A delightful way to start the week, thank you!
Truly a beautiful rod, fine trout, gorgeous stream, and absolutely superb photos. A delightful way to start the week, thank you!
- VanfromMaine
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Re: Got a new rod lately? # 2
#3535Very nice! Can't tell by the photos, but does it have a swelled butt section?
- creakycane
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Re: Got a new rod lately? # 2
#3536Not many new lately, but I did receive a Blackburn 8’6” 3/2 4 weight. It’s a prototype. Will handle a 5 nicely, too. I fished the rod for an afternoon with old 3 1/8” Hardy Perfects with 4 and 5 DTs. A nice small/medium size dry fly rod, and it fished my little wet vitreous patterns well. It’s a smidge over 4 oz and feels very light to me compared to many 7’9s and 8’ I have. Some might be tempted to put a 3 weight line on it.
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Re: Got a new rod lately? # 2
#3537Dennis - stunning new rod! I would be grateful to know it’s casting attributes compared to some of your other long hollowed rods and what lines you like on it so far. Chris’s rods are phenomenal.
Kevin, congratulations on your new Blackburn. That’s light for one of Bill’s 3/2’s. I looked at an 8 foot 3/2 four weight on the secondary market and contemplated it, but it was heavier than your 8 1/2 footer by a fair bit, even though it too was hollow built. I wonder if Bill has altered his hollowing techniques to reduce weight or changed up some hardware to make his rods lighter?
Kevin, congratulations on your new Blackburn. That’s light for one of Bill’s 3/2’s. I looked at an 8 foot 3/2 four weight on the secondary market and contemplated it, but it was heavier than your 8 1/2 footer by a fair bit, even though it too was hollow built. I wonder if Bill has altered his hollowing techniques to reduce weight or changed up some hardware to make his rods lighter?
- creakycane
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Re: Got a new rod lately? # 2
#3538The 8’ 4wt 2/2 I have from Bill IIRC is just over 3.8 oz, and feels more powerful and 5ish than this 8’6” 3/2 4 wt protofrom 2022. Hardware, grip, etc all seem similar. What seems to standout on this proto is how fine the tip section is.... definitely not a woolly bugger rod! These very long, fine tipped rods really magnify my fish playing skills ( or, very often, lack thereof ).adrien schnee wrote: ↑06/21/22 09:47I looked at an 8 foot 3/2 four weight on the secondary market and contemplated it, but it was heavier than your 8 1/2 footer by a fair bit, even though it too was hollow built. I wonder if Bill has altered his hollowing techniques to reduce weight or changed up some hardware to make his rods lighter?
The other 8’6” 3/2 I have experience with from Bill is his 6 weight, which is just shy of 4.5 oz. Entirely different rod.
Last edited by creakycane on 06/21/22 13:59, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Got a new rod lately? # 2
#3539Thanks Kevin. All 3 of those rods from Bill sound like winners. I have heard only very positive comments about his rods from their owners and about Bill as a person.
Re: Got a new rod lately? # 2
#3540firehole wrote: ↑06/20/22 16:51Picked up my new Chris Vance HB 8'6" 3/2 5wt. 3.58oz. today.
Here's some pics.
Dennis
Click to enlarge.
I rarely post here but have to tag along. Rec'd my Vance 8'3 3/2 DT4 last Monday (after a small wait), and had the opp to test cast and fish it (though it remains a virgin so far). It looks like this. It's pretty darn fantastic, light, responsive and a pleasure to behold in the sunlight.