What's your favorite 8 1/2ft 5/6wt? Can you include a description of it's action? I really like the Orvis Limestone Special but, is there anything
similar or better?
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Favorite 8 1/2ft 5/6wt?
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 Boo.fiberglassflyro... |
Favorite 8 1/2ft 5/6wt? |
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Posts: 218 10/15/2009 01:25 |
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cwood |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 638 10/15/2009 07:20 |
Heddon 8.5 ft. 2f. Very nice taper in my opinion.
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dqatar |
favorite 81/2 | #2 | ||
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Posts: 224 10/15/2009 07:39 |
Leonard Model 501/2 Sweet action or full flex. it cast a nice 4dt.
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 tiptop |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 620 10/15/2009 07:42 |
I have three 8.5' 3/2 5/6wt rods that I like very much. I have no experience with the Limestone Special but I've heard it gets high marks for an
Orvis. Two of my three are vintage rods and have similar actions. The first is a Goodwin Granger 8642 Special and the other is a Heddon 35 with 2F ferrule
built for Macys. They have moderately sensitive tips and progressively flex well into the mid and butt without being too medium in action. They both are best
with a DT5 but will handle a WF6 at reasonable distances. I think both are recognized as being among the best trade rods of this length and weight. I've
cast them side by side with a $2500 R. Taylor in the same configuration and the action was very close, IMO. My other rod of this size is an AJ Thramer
hollowbuilt interpretation of the Payne 204. It's a bit lighter in hand than my other two and the flex action is similar but has a little more backbone.
Ideally it's a DT5 but will handle a 6wt with more authority than the Granger or Heddon making it more versatile. It's a great travel rod for out west
where you might encounter some wind and bigger water. Tedgolden has a lot of experience with the Limestone Special, Grangers, and Heddons -- you might want to
PM him for his opinion.
Last Edited By: tiptop 10/15/2009 08:42.
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Marty |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 302 10/15/2009 08:10 |
I'd have to second the Granger 8642 one of the great all time 5 wt tapers. I'd describe it as a medium full flexing action. There are a lot of other
tapers based on this one.
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fishnbanjo |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 6137 10/15/2009 10:10 the Canefather |
Have owned several over the years, the 8642 Granger is a very nice taper ranging from medium to slightly above medium in action with great range and easily
handles small to medium large water. The Dickerson 8615 is one of my all time favorites handling both 5 and 6 wt lines easily, can cast leader and a small
amount of line for pin point small water work or larger flies and hoppers into a wind through small holes in the canopy medium-fast taper. The Kushner Formula
B is probably my go to rod on waters I know and am new to, it can handle fish to 20" in heavy log cover bringing them under control very quickly and is
what I would term a progressive taper, easily handles small to large water in most any condition. Another great candidate would be the 4 3/4 oz 8'6" 2
pc taper from RL Winston (Merrick ERA) although a bit outside of the 5/6 line class being a 6/7 it will still handle a 5 well enough for those times when
needed but shines with a 6 wt, termed as one of Winston's finest tapers by the late Doug Merrick another progressive action rod. Nobody can ignore the
8'6" 204 by Jim Payne as it is considered to be the best of the best, although a 204L would be more a 4/5 the pure 204 a 5 or 5/6 and a wonderful
medium taper, lastly don't ignore the F Series rods by the Edwards Bros., i.e. Bristol-Edwards, the F7, F12, F15 and F18 are nearly as wonderful as the
Payne 204 but casting prior to purchasing is definitely a must do since there is a bit of a difference in their being alike only casting them will let you know
if it's a keeper of medium action.
banjo
Fly fishing is my Quisisana (the name is Italian for "place where one heals one's self.") "...... SLG Visit my website about Bamboo rods... Fishnbanjo's Place
Last Edited By: fishnbanjo 10/15/2009 10:15.
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Dewardian |
8'6" rods for #5-6 | #6 | ||
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Posts: 99 10/15/2009 10:50 |
I will side along with Tiptop with his recomendations, I have a Heddon trade rod that sounds like it is similiar to his.... A "Pete's Favourite"
and the Goodwin Granger, Special. I will add to the mix a Heddon #20 with the 1 3/4 ferrule which will fish a #4 or a #5. The #20 gets most of the time on
the water. Easy casting action, not heavy in the hand, comfortable and predictable to fish near or far.
There is also a Yellowstone Special (Edwards) which has two different tips #5 and #6. I prefer the #5. For a more modern approach I fish one of Chris Bogarts hollow builts with bamboo ferrules, 8'3" #5 and it weighs about 3.2 ounces. An easy progressive action for fishing at any distance. There are many choices out there for rods of this size....... many of them underappreciated in the bamboo collector world. |
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fisheye444 |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 139 10/15/2009 10:51 |
Just built out a Payne 204 and like it alot . . . a little on the heavy side, but it can punch line through a fence post.
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Drew Creek |
8.5 ft rods for 5/6 | #8 | ||
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Posts: 113 10/15/2009 11:13 |
I'm relatively new to bamboo rods, but, I took the advice of accomplished board members, cast as many as I could or dared, and now own three that I truly
appreciate. For what its worth:
In Order of Purchase: 1) Orvis 8.5, 5/6, patent Pending, # 9XXX. 2) Heddon Black Beauty, 2F, fully restored and remarkably powerful, and the most recent addition, 3) an Edwards F7 fully restored. Each has its merits but for pure ease and grace... I think I prefer the Edwards. It makes me a far better caster than I actually am and it is superb with soft hackles and very light tippets. All three are medium to medium fast..the Edwards being the lightest in hand. Dave |
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tedgolden |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 3031 10/15/2009 11:50 Moderator |
When I need a rod to perform under adverse conditions or with large flies, I reach for a Phillipson Dry Fly Special. 6/7 rod, not particularly great in close,
but a great wind fighter. I also have great regard for a 204L, a 50 1/2, 8642 (or it's equivalent, a Phillipson 5 oz.), and a nice Mt. Carmel Edwards.
If limited to one rod it would be the Granger/Phillipson.
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bulldog1935 |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 7544 10/15/2009 11:56 Bulldog1935 |
I'll go with the Heddon 2f for windy days.
For lighter fishing, I prefer my South Bend 323 (marked HEH) with a DT5. they also marked many 8-1/2' SB 323s with HDH (DT6)
the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
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dry side |
#11 | |||
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Posts: 57 10/15/2009 12:53 |
Boo, I like the Limestone Special as well. It does well out here in the wild windy west. I also enjoy the Grangers and Heddons already mentioned, but I seem
to select the Orvis more often than others. Next season may be different; all this is very subjective.
Richard |
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lstshkr |
#12 | |||
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Posts: 309 10/15/2009 13:24 |
My choice is also an echo for the Granger 8642 rods. I like the balance of the rod and the medium action, plus when you hook a trout with one, you can really
feel the subtleties of the action. I have a few shorter rods that don't seem nearly as responsive nor precise. I have also had a couple Bristol era
Edwards', and while quite nice, I felt the Granger superior in almost every area. I'm sure some of that is colored by personal preference, but the
Grangers sure seem to stand out.
Dean D
"I used to be clueless, but I've turned that situation around 360 degrees."
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sharps4590 |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 172 10/15/2009 15:29 |
I'll have to be in the same camp as bulldog. My South Bend 323 with a Terenzio #6 DT. I'm not astute enough to describe its action but it's the
most sensitive rod I have of that size and length. To me it is a wonderful dry fly rod. It's getting a guide rewrapped as I write this so I can't
check, but I beleive it is marked HDH.
Vic |
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slate river |
#14 | |||
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Posts: 145 10/15/2009 17:01 |
I would have to agree with the majority of the comments about the Granger 8642 and the Heddon. I have a Granger Victory that seems to work best with a DT5 but
will also handle a WF6. The Heddon is a Model 20 2F that seems to really shine with a Wulff TT6. Both rods are definitely medium action. Smooth and real
easy casting. The Heddon has been in use by me for 40 years. They are both great tapers.
Bob |
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Flyman615 |
Favorite 8.5 footers | #15 | ||
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Posts: 3434 10/15/2009 19:10 |
Well, --big surprise--my late friend, and Granger aficionado par excellence, Phil Snyder's favorite rod, hands down, was the Granger 8642. He used it, as
do I, with a DT-5-F.
But I am also a big fan of the Orvis Limestone Special. Phil's partner Art Warner sold me mine 21 years ago, and I've always been most grateful. And one more...I have a Hexagraph 8 1/2-foot rod for a 4-5 wt. that is a joy. Sacrilege!
Regards,
Flyman 
"There are three things in life that people like to stare at: a flowing stream, a crackling fire and a Zamboni clearing the ice."-Charlie Brown
Last Edited By: Flyman615 10/15/2009 19:12.
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bobbeegee |
#16 | |||
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Posts: 3131 10/15/2009 20:06 |
Granger Champion. Effortless medium action with a Cortland 444 DT5F peach.
Bob p.s. Anyone got a Heddon 8 1/2' 3/2 1 3/4F they want to rid themselves of? "Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys which distract our attention from serious things. They are but an improved means to an unimproved
end."
Last Edited By: bobbeegee 10/15/2009 20:11.
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Flyfishbill |
#17 | |||
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Posts: 1081 10/15/2009 20:12 |
I currently own and fish a Bob Taylor 8 1/2 5/6. I prefer a 6DT. It is a pleasant rod to cast, but I wouldn't call it a canon. For the money, I find
Phillipsons hard to beat. I have a Paragon that is fun to fish. I casted a Jennings 8 1/2 5 wt that was very smooth and could shoot line. I decided to call
Homer and chnage my order from a 7'9" to the 8 1/2 footer!
FFBill
Life is short, fish bamboo! |
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flyfishermann1955 |
#18 | |||
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Posts: 187 10/15/2009 21:24 |
Another vote for Heddon. Mine is an 8.5' Model #14 with 1 and 3/4 ferrule (Light Trout Action), soon to be paired with a Cortland Sylk DT-6F on a Medalist
1494 DA.
Thanks- Ken |
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Booman2 |
#19 | |||
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Posts: 595 10/15/2009 22:29 |
I like 8'6" rods for #5-6 lines and have owned quite a few. Among the best IMO were Howells and Winstons, followed very closely by F.E. Thomas and
Leonard M-50 1/2. I like Limestone Specials but don't currently have one. And I just bought a very fine Granger 8642 Aristocrat that casts excellently but
is at Sweetgrass right now for a little cork grip surgery by Dr. Brackett. These are all great river rods and are at home with a float tube as well.
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doloresboy |
#20 | |||
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Posts: 437 10/15/2009 22:59 |
I had a Limestone Special and sold it. Nothing it could do that an 8642 couldn't do better. If you need a little more "oomph" I'd agree
with TedGolden that you'd be well served with a Phillipson DFS.
Matt |
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