Fishing The Fly Scotland
Index => Tackle Talk => Topic started by: Mike Barrio on 04/04/2022 at 15:44
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Great to see the ever growing popularity of modern glass rods, so practical, and such good fun >)
I have a Freestone 79 built by Sandy ...... What's yours?
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2-240621010055.jpeg)
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Built by Sandy I have a 376, a 476, a 580 and an 888.
Does this qualify me as a glass tart?
:X2
Eddie
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Great stuff Eddie ..... nice rods :z16
Yes, Glass Tart qualification approved *smiley-grin*
Cheers
Mike
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Not mine as I have it on loan for a bit - amongst one or two other rods - an Orvis Superfine Glass 8'8" #8wt.
I tried it out for a few casts last week on the banks of the Beauly and I have to say I am intrigued, smooth but powerful with very, very good recovery. I may have to go try it on some Carp or perhaps a Pike or two.
Convert me to glass :? Unlikely, but it is interesting :!
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I think its an as well as, H.
My collection seems to change regularly as Im lucky enough to get to try all sorts. A bit like the carbon market we are getting to a point where there arent many poor glass rods out there. Consequently its more about what suits you and the purpose.
My current working collection consists of a Sakura 7 3wt, Yomogi 73 4wt, Steffen 79 3/4wt, Steffen 8 4/5wt, ijuin Bubble 711 4wt, iconoglass 86 8wt.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-060422082737.jpeg)
The current selection of demos are all from Dusty smith at Livingston rods. They are a 7, 76 and 8 in a 4wt and 8 in 5 and 6wts
Other favourites include ijuin Beni 75 4wt, Yomogi 73wt, ijuin Hard Para 75 4wt, Epic 370, Epic 476, McFarland Classic 693, 763 and 794, Spruce creek 723 and 794 and the Steffen 8 3/4wt. All have their place depending where you are going to use them, most are shortish dryfly rods for presentation and accuracy at ranges up to 60 mostly at 30 I tend to pick depending on the size of the river. Although 4wts are a bit of an obsession
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-060422083121.jpeg)
I am spoiled , however if its blowing a fair wind I will still reach for a 5 or even 6wt carbon
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That's a lot of nice toys Sandy >)
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Crikey! A lot of glass out there. I was impressed with the way James's wee glass rod performed and been considering one.
Where does the CTS Chrystal Glass fit in? - looking at the Quartz 480?
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Terry
The CTS glass is very nice, they made the original Epics and there own rods are all on superb taper designs. They can be a bit pricey but are worth the money.
If you are after a Glass gateway drug , the the Taniwha 476 is a superb blank and builds into a brilliant fishing rod. Later in the year I will have more of the Livingston blanks too and they are the best value for money Ive found, as well as being some of the very best casting rods Ive tried. Dustys 8 4wt is an amazing light allrounder and awesome dryfly rod. Limited to black or clear but they are fabulous fishing tools. Ive demos in most sizes if you want to try one first and may be persuaded to sell a blank or two *smiley-wink*
Sandy
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I love the colour of some of those blanks. The issue would be having to buy coloured reels to match, it would cost a fortune
I love my wee taniwha 476 and hope to get a glass #6 so I can retire my carbon....
So Terry - i would advise one of 2 options.
1- if Sandy has the time commission him to build you your dream rod
2 - if Sandy doesnt have the time then buy a Taniwha rod from Mark at Taniwha rod works. If you email him you can do a fair amount of customisaton in terms of reel seat, spacer ( i love my mojito acrylic one!) , agate etc
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I love the colour of some of those blanks. The issue would be having to buy coloured reels to match, it would cost a fortune
Any colour as long as it is black 😜
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Im on Rainey day projects already over the last couple of weeks, between flu and the weather.
So have been adding a couple to my own collection to fill holes caused by sales :X1
This is one of my favourites, not that convenient for most folk, but my fishing rods tend to spend the season built up and this fits in the car complete. This is the big river dryfly rod. The 2pc blank is smoother and lighter in the hand and feels more true. 79 and a spot on 4wt and is the closest I have to a goto rod.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-070422130724.jpeg)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-070422130817.jpeg)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-070422130928.jpeg)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-070422131003.jpeg)
I was experimenting with Wasabi green silk on the chestnut blank. It goes really well with the Struble Earth titanium seat which is a greenish bronze. I like it >)
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Looks great Sandy >)
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Ooohhh, I love my glass rods and are all I use, :-)
I have a Taniwha 476 in light grey / blue blank which I built myself and just love to fish with 80% of the time on the River, everything from dries, spiders and wee bead head PTNs etc.
I also have a Scott F2 774 which is a great dry fly rod for the River, also capable of presenting a couple of spiders upstream.
Then I have a Livingston 9' 6wt YS Glass built by Sandy which does everything from hill lochs, both floating and intermediate lines, to streamers on the river and the odd visit out to a stillwater.
Always a space for another.... *smiley-wink*
Steven
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Another vote for Taniwha 7 6 #4.
Bought the kit from Andrew during the first lockdown, combined with Mikes #4 Smallstream its a cracking wee rod. For various reasons Ive only tried it on rainbows but it handled fish to 3lb plus no problem.
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Another vote for Taniwha 7 6 #4.
Bought the kit from Andrew during the first lockdown, combined with Mikes #4 Smallstream its a cracking wee rod. For various reasons Ive only tried it on rainbows but it handled fish to 3lb plus no problem.
It handles Salmon up to 90cm as well........ *smiley-lol*
Steven
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It handles Salmon up to 90cm as well........ *smiley-lol*
Steven
I've had double figure rainbows in mine...with a click n pawl reel 😆
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I have three glass rods in my collection:
An Epic 8'6" 6wt - I built one of the Blem kits
Taniwha 7 6 #4. again a self build
Moonlight Nirvana 7' 3wt - Drunken purchase during lock-down (but it was for a good cause)
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Sorry to dig up an old thread and apologies if I should have started a new one. I have a Bens of Holland 1wt (I need to fish more with) and an Echo 4wt and an superfine 6wt I got on an eBay deal!!
I have an Epic 888 on the way. Plan to use it mainly for smaller river pike and maybe carp and coastal fishing.in the summer. Just wondering what folks would think may be a good line choices. Guessing something intermediate for pike-all pretty short range fishing and not massive flies, and a floater for carp? Thank you for any advice.
Will post a pic when it arrives
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In terms of lines I bought a small stream for my #7 Haldin.
I had already cast it with a #6 SLX but a SS of the same head weight is a #8, so I bought an 8. It fishes lovely on a '#7 rod' so don't be afraid to go a 'bit heavier' as glass seems to take it ...
For fishing for pike I tend to like an intermediate. For my #8 B&W rod I managed to get hold of a new (unused) #8slx which i reccon will be just perfect...
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Kav, my feelings would along similar lines to James.
The 888 is a cannon and a LOT of fun, very much an 8wt for intermediate and sinkers, Short heavy 'outbound' style head, floaters would also be an 8, but if its a more conventional WF line, then a 9 will load it better. If you can try a couple first it would be better to see how you like it, a lot depends on what you will use it for. For Pike and the huge air resistant flies i would be looking at a shorter heavier head line in a 9. You tend to be casting less distance and just need something to turn the big fly over and get it where you need it.
The 888 will bend quite deep and you can generate some incredible power with a heavier line and a slower stroke, which is good for keeping a more open loop for the bulky Pike flies. if you needed to cast with a faster stroke for fast changes on the flats or getting some distance then sticking to an 8 will be better. i actually liked it a lot with a 7wt full sinker and smaller flies.
Its a really versatile blank and like most rods will go a line up or down without an issue, depending on what you need it to do.
Sandy
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Great thank you for the replies and I meant to say there are some lovely looking rods on this thread!!
I'll have a shop about and try some lines
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(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12488-170323221042.jpeg)
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I'm even later on this thread but I thought I'd add my 2 pesos.
I fish a 4wt Epic 5 piece. I think they call it the Packlight. I built it from one of their kits.
It's less noodley (is that even a word) than some other 4wts I've cast but partners superbly with a Barro SLX 4wt line.
As expected it's a delicate dry fly rod but is also very happy casting an indicator and tungsten nymph rig.
A great all rounder
Kym
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Late reply , but I love my Thomas &Thomas Lotic 7'10 5 weight. It can really punch out the line if need be but is still really delicate
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My two current go to glass rods are a W. Jude 89 3/4wt Ondawa series prototype and Livingston Western Glass 89 5wt both built by Bill Hickey of W. Jude. Fly Rod Company.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12637-050823192526.jpeg)
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They look great Mark :)
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Just a quick follow upon this-thanks for the advice!. I picked up a Loop 9wt booster Pike line. Goes really well on the 8wt epic, I also got a cheap older Shakespeare sinker in a 10, cut about 6' off the front and and seems to go pretty well with short leader on the smaller rivers I fish.
Seriously tempted to a 10wt now ;)
Kav, my feelings would along similar lines to James.
The 888 is a cannon and a LOT of fun, very much an 8wt for intermediate and sinkers, Short heavy 'outbound' style head, floaters would also be an 8, but if its a more conventional WF line, then a 9 will load it better. If you can try a couple first it would be better to see how you like it, a lot depends on what you will use it for. For Pike and the huge air resistant flies i would be looking at a shorter heavier head line in a 9. You tend to be casting less distance and just need something to turn the big fly over and get it where you need it.
The 888 will bend quite deep and you can generate some incredible power with a heavier line and a slower stroke, which is good for keeping a more open loop for the bulky Pike flies. if you needed to cast with a faster stroke for fast changes on the flats or getting some distance then sticking to an 8 will be better. i actually liked it a lot with a 7wt full sinker and smaller flies.
Its a really versatile blank and like most rods will go a line up or down without an issue, depending on what you need it to do.
Sandy