It is interesting to read the comparisons posted in this thread. I have a Limestone Special and a Phillipson Powr Pakt (not the Dry
Fly Special). I like the Orvis for open meadow streams and the Phillipson for fishing under cover. The Phillipson actually weighs more but may be a little bit
faster than the Orvis, which could be why it feels a little lighter in the hand than the Orvis. Or maybe the Orvis is just heavier toward the tip. Both work
very well at any distance with TT5 and WF6 lines and are capable of precise placement. So, in my limited experience, the Limestone Special is a great rod, and
so is the Powr Pakt. Are there better 8 1/2' 5/6 wt rods? If so, they're damn good rods.
I have a #20 Heddon 2F but haven't fished it yet. On the lawn, the Heddon's action seems a lot like the Phillipson. I just got a post-1951 vintage WM
Granger Aristocrat 8642 earlier this week. After wagging it around, I think it will handle more like the Phillipson than the Orvis, which is to be expected.
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Favorite 8 1/2ft 5/6wt?
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 Southbranch |
#21 | |||
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Posts: 485 10/15/2009 23:20 |
Last Edited By: Southbranch 10/15/2009 23:28.
Edited 1 time.
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dugdan |
Another option | #22 | ||
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Posts: 45 10/16/2009 11:25 |
Another production rod which is sadly missing from discussion is the Southbend/Cross Doublebuilt. In the 8'6" length, designated for HEH, it is
versatile and smooth. Take away the name "Southbend", and it would be the topic of more frequent examination and praise.
Often criticized for heaviness, my model #266 compares in weight with some of the other 8'6" rods: Phillipson Pacemaker- 141.2 g., or 4.98 oz. Heddon #115- 145.0 g., or 5.12 oz. W&M G8642- 147.7 g., or 5.21 oz SB/Cross #266- 147.8 g., or 5.21 oz. And it's easy on the eyes 
With quality NS ferrules 
I own all the above rods, and am growing in my appreciation for the SB/Cross. Doug |
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Golfswithwolves |
#23 | |||
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Posts: 19 10/16/2009 13:53 |
Heresy coming up; send the children out of the room. I really like an 5/6 wt. 8'6" FIBERGLASS rod
 built by Gypsy Rodworks from a blank made by Steffen Bros. I think it is as sweet
as cane.
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Luke |
fast | #24 | ||
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Posts: 10 10/17/2009 19:54 |
I have 5 wt. 8' 6'' 3/2. Its hollow built, based on the Dickerson 801610 taper. That thing is fast. I don;t know if its the taper, or if its the
hollow build/builder. But I can throw 35'-40' of line in one "sexy loop"! it's a dt line, but if you're used to shooting line,
compensating for the wind isn't that hard. If your fishing windy rivers, they're probably big rivers. Keep you r s*** out of the trees, adn don't
worry so much about your presentation.
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seattlesetters |
#25 | |||
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Posts: 712 10/17/2009 20:11 |
This beauty is an 8'6" 2/2 5wt hollow built by Marty Karstetter of Darby, Montana. It's super lightweight, throws a long line or makes a delicate
presentation with equal aplomb and has an action I find most pleasing. It fights big fish very well and protects fine tippets. A great rod for the wind, big
water or when you just aren't sure what conditions you'll face. Small flies or big, it'll do the job nicely.
It's as fine an all-around rod as I've fished. 
Last Edited By: seattlesetters 10/17/2009 20:14.
Edited 1 time.
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PaducahMichael |
#26 | |||
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Posts: 787 10/17/2009 20:38 |
Goodwin Granger 8642 ( that's 8.5 feet for the unwashed) are TERRIBLE, AWFUL rods that will make your HAIR FALL OUT, your BELLY get bigger and your
favorite appendage SHRINK.
Send them all to me. I'll take one for the team. 
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teter |
#27 | |||
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Posts: 1441 10/18/2009 10:42 |
PaducahMichael wrote: NOW you tell me. |
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Arctic Grayling.fiberglassflyro... |
#28 | |||
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Posts: 87 10/18/2009 17:00 |
PaducahMichael wrote: That explains a lot! 
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Arctic Grayling.fiberglassflyro... |
Karstetter Rods | #29 | ||
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Posts: 88 10/18/2009 17:04 |
seattlesetters wrote:I've read praises of Marty Karstetter rods recently in a couple of books by Alaskan authors. They said that Mr. Karstetter lived in Alaska at one time. His rods that I have seen pictures of are beautiful, and if he lived in Alaska, they have to fish well! 
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oneculm |
#30 | |||
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Posts: 666 10/18/2009 17:20 |
Heddon with the 1 3/4 ferr. will surprise.
Last Edited By: oneculm 10/18/2009 18:45.
Edited 1 time.
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uniphasian |
#31 | |||
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Posts: 2033 10/18/2009 18:10 Moderator |
An 8-1/2' 4-1/4 oz Winston is hard to beat. It will cast either 5 or 6 lines with ease and grace.
- Uni
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Eric Peper |
#32 | |||
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Posts: 367 10/20/2009 12:09 |
I don't own one, but I'd like to . . . an 8'6" hollowbuilt for a 5 by Wayne Maca of Beaverhead Rods. I cast one a nmonth or so ago, and I
have never handled a rod quite like it; lovely in close, and I could not find the outside limit of its capabilities. On my last cast, there were a couple of
turns of fly line (DT5) left on top of the backing, and I simply handed the rod back to the shop guy lest the lust get overwhelming.
EP |
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Rolf Jacobsen |
#33 | |||
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Posts: 2192 10/20/2009 19:41 The COOLER |
I have an 8'6" EC Powell that casts an honest 6 and a fast 5. I REALLY like this rod.
Brook Trout are God's way of reminding us everything is going to be all right.
Last Edited By: Rolf Jacobsen 10/20/2009 19:45.
Edited 1 time.
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matsoberg |
#34 | |||
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Posts: 432 10/21/2009 18:06 |
That´s one good fishing pole Rolf.
I´ve made a couple of semi hollow E.C. Powell 2 piece B-tapers strating at .069 and they´re just so sweet, yet powerful. No doubt my favourite 8½ foot 5/6wt. |
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iwork2407 |
just my opion | #35 | ||
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Posts: 21 10/21/2009 23:52 |
Granger 8642 are so user frendly cast a 5/6 wt The Carpenter Proto type Browntone cast 5/6 wt and the Heddon Folsom 8.5 cast a 4/5 very nice to, all of this
rods are 8.5 ft
Tight Lines Ray |
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Arctic Grayling.fiberglassflyro... |
Howells Six Weight | #36 | ||
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Posts: 91 10/22/2009 02:19 |
I do like the Granger 8642 tapers, but I fished a G. H. Howells 8'6" 4 3/8 ounce six weight tonight that is so smooth that it has to be my favorite.
The rod pretty much casts itself, and is very accurate.
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rsagebrush |
#37 | |||
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Posts: 585 10/22/2009 16:28 |
Arctic- I have that same model Howells 81/2' 6wt and it is truely a great stick.
Very smooth and will really throw quite a bit of line into a breeze. Good for streamers/nymphing and dries all in on rod. |
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Boo.fiberglassflyro... |
Howell's? | #38 | ||
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Posts: 221 10/22/2009 16:30 |
Would a Bolt Rod be similar?
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alistair59 |
Bolt 6wt | #39 | ||
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Posts: 241 10/22/2009 16:36 |
I have the Bolt version. Sublime.
Would you use that rod wth a 6wt sinktip (DC 7ft S6) and/or weighted streamers for 3-4lb fish, with the potential for 8lb browns, in this stream? 
If not, what other 8ft 6in weapon would you prefer, and why? Tight Lines! Alistair |
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jz2 |
#40 | |||
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Posts: 321 10/22/2009 20:21 |
Had a Winston 8.5 2/2 4 3/4 oz that was a great fishing DT 6 wt
have a howells 8.5 2/2 4 1/2 oz that is a great casting rod - waiting to fish it. have an pat pend Orvis battenkill 8.5 3/2 4 1/2 oz that is a great medium action 5/6. tips might be a touch heavy but I think great for many fishing situations. |
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