my hardy gem gen1 13ft salmon rod gave in yesterday after valient fight with a 20lb salmon on dee (landed succesfully!)
I had this rod for over 15 yrs and my knowledge of salmon rods is very limited as trout fishing is my main target. I would appreciate some advise on rod option for fishing Don and Dee and happy to consider used rod if any of you have something suitable
Gavin
Have you spoken to Hardy? If the rod was manufactured after 2002 you should get a repair or replacement section, although it will cost you £50 handling and £70 for the replacement...minimum.
I personally use a 14 foot 9 weight LTS Scandi rod that I love. I like using shooting heads, so it suits me perfectly. In the summer months I can fish something like an AFS line with a long fine tip and small flies and in heavy spring water, a Skagit or sinking shooting head and heavy tubes.
The LTS boys fish the Dee a lot and sometimes have open days to try their rods (you missed one a month ago). Worth trying. the rods are very nice.
Of course, others will have different opinions and Scandi rods may not suit everyone. I have found them to be very versatile though, and that's something that's important when swapping between rivers. Also easy to cast decent distances and much more relaxed and easy to fish.