Fishing The Fly Scotland

Index => Tackle Talk => Topic started by: Tam Greenock on 05/04/2008 at 20:07

Title: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Tam Greenock on 05/04/2008 at 20:07
Hi Folks, l recently bought a lamson radius 3 and l know its supposed to be for a 6 - 8 weight line but its really light and lm sure it would be fine for a 5 weight.
l am so happy with my Barrio 3 weight that l dont really want to use my Winston 7 weight any more, and want to go lighter.

Does anyone have a 5 weight that they would like to maybe swap for my Winston B11X 10' 7# 

Thanks
Tam
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Hamish Young on 05/04/2008 at 21:09
Hi Folks, l recently bought a lamson radius 3 and l know its supposed to be for a 6 - 8 weight line but its really light and lm sure it would be fine for a 5 weight.
l am so happy with my Barrio 3 weight that l dont really want to use my Winston 7 weight any more, and want to go lighter.

Does anyone have a 5 weight that they would like to maybe swap for my Winston B11X 10' 7# 

Thanks
Tam

I may have the very thing, also 10ft a 5/6wt and unique in the UK (as far as I'm aware). Sadly I'm in Dorset and wont be back for a fortnight  :z6 You're welcome to try it when I get back  :wink
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Sandy Nelson on 07/04/2008 at 07:09
Tam

I can understand why you are thinking the way you are.
I personally wouldn't get rid of the 7wt, i keep a GLX 10ft 7ft for single handed salmon,seatrout and large water fishing, especially on windy days.
You will not find a great deal of difference between your 3wt barrio and a high tech 9ft 5wt ( i've a B11x 9ft 5wt which is my goto rod, as you know :wink) especially on the river. However i can see a 10ft 5wt being a good rod for you from the boat, given the type of fishing you tend to do, so speak to hamish when he gets back, he has had a similar experience with 10ft 5wt to what i have had with 9ft 5wt's.
Recently got to cast with a Diawa signature 10ft 5wt and its the best one i have tried to date, pretty reasonable too. I loved it and i'm not a fan of 10ft rods.

Regs

Sandy
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Tam Greenock on 07/04/2008 at 09:56
Thanks for the replies guys,

The majority of my fishing is on stillwaters, and lm sure once l have caught a larger fish on my Barrio, and l get over the worry l have of a lighter rod for bigger fish l will probably use it a lot more often at known bigger fish venues. l also hope to use it on the rivers round about here as well.
l have had the Barrio and Winston both set up recently at Wardend and when switching from the 3# to the 7# its like waving a broom handle around  :z4. l have been bitten by the "lighter" bug  :grin

Hamish, l would like to stay with a 10' rod as l like my boat fishing and its fine for bank as well. So P'm. me when you are home and we can meet up. What make of rod is it that you have.

Sandy, l dont really want to get rid of my Winston but l have a Greys 7# that is still in great working order and been in use for 5 years now, so will wait and see what happens when Hamish is home from Dorset.

Thanks
Tam


Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Rob Brownfield on 07/04/2008 at 11:11
Sage also do a 10 foot 5 and the same in 4 on the z-axis blank..mmmmmmmmmmm
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Jim Doyle on 11/04/2008 at 08:21
If you look on the loomis sights in the states you will find they make a glx 10ft 5 wt ,its a super rod if you want to try mine you are welcome. pm me and I,ll bring it to a local fishery,its not for sale mind. But it would show you what its like . jim
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Steven Kidd on 14/04/2008 at 09:39
This sounds like exactly the same dilema I have......since I got hold off my Hamish's 3wt Batson, I can't stand using my 7wt Sharpes any more as it now has the broomhandle effect also!!

I wouldn't worry about landing larger fish with it, as a 14lber was landed by it last week.....

However I am looking for a 5wt now also.......to better suit a windy day......also I will be sticking with DT lines as they feel so much nicer to cast than a WF......

Put me down for a Barrio 5wt!!
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Iain Goolager on 14/04/2008 at 10:36
Hi Mr Skidd,

Good to see you feeling the benefits of the lighter kit. I had the 5wt out at Midmar on Saturday - feels like a wand compared to the 13' double hander I've been using on the Don. Can't wait to get the Barrio 3wt out - see you down there sometime.

Iain
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Steven Kidd on 14/04/2008 at 11:25
Hi Iain,

Do you have a Barrio 5wt?, I'd like to see it sometime.....

I've not been up the Don recently due to this weather we've been having!!, the water is nearly bursting the banks.

Maybe see you Friday night up there if the weather sorts itself out.......probably still be spinning conditions though....?
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Alex Burnett on 14/04/2008 at 11:47
This sounds like exactly the same dilema I have......since I got hold off my Hamish's 3wt Batson, I can't stand using my 7wt Sharpes any more as it now has the broomhandle effect also!!

I wouldn't worry about landing larger fish with it, as a 14lber was landed by it last week.....

However I am looking for a 5wt now also.......to better suit a windy day......also I will be sticking with DT lines as they feel so much nicer to cast than a WF......

Put me down for a Barrio 5wt!!

Tam & Skidd

My order for a Bario 5wt is already in, in fact it's for 2  :wink :wink, Mike gave me a trial of one he had & I fell in love with it, I now have 3 broom handles in the boot of the car Fulling Mills Gold series 10ft 7wt, had 2 of them out yesterday & was shattered by the end of 4 hours. Regarding weight of fish, last month I landed a fish in excess of 17lb at Haddo on a 5wt without any problem what so ever. To be quite honest I think the 5wt allows you a better feel for what the fish is doing & a lot more forgiveness than the 7wt.    :z15 :z15 :z15

Alex
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Iain Goolager on 14/04/2008 at 12:34
Skiddzer,

No I don't have a Barrio 5wt just the 3wt. Yes, hopefully I'll get out at the weekend - levels permitting.


Iain
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Steven Kidd on 14/04/2008 at 13:11
As I say, i'm a light line convert!!, but some of the larger shops around don't seem to get the idea and are surprised when I'm looking for DT 3's and 3-4wt reels!!

What is your opinion of this?, are the majority of people overtackled?,lol....

or are we under tackled??...but surely it's what you do with it?..lol.
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Alex Burnett on 14/04/2008 at 13:59
As I say, i'm a light line convert!!, but some of the larger shops around don't seem to get the idea and are surprised when I'm looking for DT 3's and 3-4wt reels!!

What is your opinion of this?, are the majority of people overtackled?,lol....

or are we under tackled??...but surely it's what you do with it?..lol.

I think that the reason that a lot of people use 10ft 7wt rods is that about 15-20 years ago all the magazines & books stated that to fish stillwaters etc for trout you needed a 10ft 7wt rod & of course we all believed what they said, it is only when you take the chance & try a 3wt or 5wt rod that you realise that you do not need a 7wt rod & can finally appreciate the lighter side of life.

Alex
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Rob Brownfield on 14/04/2008 at 16:45
The same has happened with Carp tackle...everyone is using 12 or 13 foot 3 pound test curve rods, "because thats what they use in the mags"! Aye, they do, for fishing for dirty great 40 pound plus carp in France on HUGE inland seas.

The average punter would put more fish on the bank by scaling back and using lighter rods to match the smaller waters in the UK.

I use 8 weight rods for landing large Pike on the fly..as in fish over 20 pounds, and the reason they are 8 weight rather than 6 is because of the large flies i use. To me a 7 weight is overgunned on all the North East stillwaters with maybe the exception of some of the reservoirs such as Fedderate where a big wind can cause problems.

I stopped off at a small local water to me on Sunday, just for a look, and was supprised to see people using WF lines, and 10 foot rods on such a small "puddle". A 20 yard cast would have you fishing the same water as the chap on the opposite side! Most of the fish were in close, yet everyone was casting to the far bank. It must be a "mines bigger than yours" syndrome.

Us light liners don't need to show off!!  :z18 :wink :z16
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Sandy Nelson on 14/04/2008 at 20:06

Do you have a Barrio 5wt?, I'd like to see it sometime.....


Skidd,
There is only the Demo 5wt at the moment, but if you are willing to wait a few weeks then there will be some rods built up, i'm a bit behind, but will catch up soon. Go out to Haddo and give it a try :z16



Us light liners don't need to show off!!  :z18 :wink :z16

Nicely put. :z16

As I say, i'm a light line convert!!, but some of the larger shops around don't seem to get the idea and are surprised when I'm looking for DT 3's and 3-4wt reels!!


Not as much of a problem now as it used to be, See Barrio tackle for the best DT3's and for a reel thats spot on for size. Smaller reels aren't a problem but you'll find lines can be tricky to find, thats why Mike does one, it means i don't have to keep sending to the States for them :z4 Seems everyone else is getting in on the fun now though, Brilliant and about time too :z16

Sandy
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Rob Brownfield on 14/04/2008 at 20:47
There are a few other lines that go down to a DT3, such as the Cortland 444 and the Orvis Wonderline G3..but both lines are up around £48, and normally have to be ordered.

Mikes lines are spot on and well worth the money. I nor have a DT3 and a WF5 and both do exactly what they say on the box..and very very well. There is nothing that touches them at the price..and several price brackets above too.

If only he did a 9 or 10 weight Predator taper...i have a list as long as my arm looking for a good UK line at a reasonable price :)  :z16
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Steven Kidd on 15/04/2008 at 08:07
Sandy,

Thanks, I'll certainly do that.....

In the mean time, put me on your waiting list!!

Cheers,

Steven
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Derek McLaren on 15/04/2008 at 15:28
Spiderman,How does the barrio 5 weight compare to a guideline lpxe or the scott s4,

Do you have any idea on cost and will the cosmetics be the same as the Barrio 3 weight.

Sorry for all the questions but you seem to be the man in the Know :z4  :z4
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Rob Brownfield on 15/04/2008 at 16:52
He should be..he builds them!! ;)

Actually Sandy..I am away to get some labels made up for my rods...are you wanting some made for the Barrio rods? I just sent the artwork off and get transfers back :)
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Mike Barrio on 15/04/2008 at 20:30
Spiderman,How does the barrio 5 weight compare to a guideline lpxe or the scott s4,

Do you have any idea on cost and will the cosmetics be the same as the Barrio 3 weight.

Sorry for all the questions but you seem to be the man in the Know :z4  :z4

Hi Derek

Yes, cost and cosmetics are very similar to the 3wt, but this rod delivers more line speed.

To be honest we had not planned to market the 5wt at the moment because the 3wt is keeping us more than busy :wink We were keeping this rod up our sleeves for the future, but one or two folk have tried the prototype and this has lead to us taking a few special orders to build rods for them.

I wouldn't like to try to compare the rod with another brand ( difficult to do cause our blanks have different ways of achieving what we want from them ) but you can try one next time you're up if you like :cool:

Best wishes
Mike
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Sandy Nelson on 15/04/2008 at 20:32
Rob

I'm sticking to my paint brush, but thanks anyway :z16

mr monksmyre

The 5wt will follow the same cosmetics as the 3wt, easier for me :z4
Although i may alter the wood for the seat :wink and perhaps use a different shade for the wrappings but that'll be it.
I would struggle to compare the rod to the LPXE or an S4 :z6 quite different products.
The LPXE is a great rod, quick but sensitive
The S4 is fast but still fishable (personally i prefered the LPXE (my 2nd favorite rod to date RS version))
I would rather have a Winston B11x than either of the above hence the Barrio follows a similar style of action albiet slightly lower tech.
Being a slightly lower tech blank makes it more robust and affordable, yet still with a silky smooth action just like the 3wt,
Its capable of casting many different lines and i managed my longest ever cast with a flyrod, using the prototype 5wt with a special prototype wf7 line (116ft for those who care :roll)
Its an effortless rod to cast with loads of power in reserve and will be priced the same as the 3wt so it doesn't compete on a level playing field with its equally capable peers.
I prefer to think of it as the 3wt's big sister, you know, the one with a bit more experience, longer legs and larger boobs. Well worth a cast or two :z16

Sandy
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Sandy Nelson on 15/04/2008 at 20:33
Jinx :z4
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Derek McLaren on 15/04/2008 at 20:53
That sounds good to me  :grin,I will look forward to that  :cool:
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Rob Brownfield on 15/04/2008 at 20:55
I prefer to think of it as the 3wt's big sister, you know, the one with a bit more experience, longer legs and larger boobs. Well worth a cast or two :z16

Please please PLEASE tell me you are going to bring out a 10 weight Pike special...mmmmmmm..HUGE boobs!!..lol
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Sandy Nelson on 16/04/2008 at 11:38
Please please PLEASE tell me you are going to bring out a 10 weight Pike special...mmmmmmm..HUGE boobs!!..lol


Rob

Have spoken to our blank maker and they can make me a prototype 9ft 10wt along the same lines as the other two rods, So if you want one let Mike know and we can order one with the next batch.
You can set the spec for breast size/shape, ring size, type of butt, etc and we can work how much it would be to produce.
 :z12

Sandy
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Rob Brownfield on 16/04/2008 at 11:42
Sandy,
just looking for the blank...coz I am building them myself for the association...but i wonder if its the same blank manufacturer that i get mine from just now?????????
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Sandy Nelson on 16/04/2008 at 16:36
Tam

Sorry, i moved this as the topic has digressed away from your original post too much
However it has a place here on the main forum.
If you want to repost the original request the feel free.

Cheers

Sandy
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Sandy Nelson on 16/04/2008 at 16:41
Rob

I'm not telling :z7

I would want to build the rod though, before i would be happy to sell a blank blind.
That way you dont blame me if it doesn't do what you hope. :z4 :z4

Mind you, you would know better what you want it to do than I would.
Just i remember you saying that most saltwater rods are too fast for pike, our blank being
far more moderate in action might be the ideal thing, if the power reserves of the two lighter models transferred proportionally to a 10wt then theoretically it would be an enormously powerful blank, but smooth and controllable :z8

I might just try it anyway :wink

Sandy
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Tam Greenock on 16/04/2008 at 21:24
No probs at all Sandy, think l might wait and get a Barrio 5#, if its half as good as my 3# l will be more than happy  :z16
Title: Re: 5 weight rod wanted
Post by: Rob Brownfield on 16/04/2008 at 21:37
Sandy,
most of the Pike rods on the market are bastardised salt water models with a very tippy action. This is great for small flies like Crazy Charlies etc and pitching a fly into a 20 mph headwind but totally useless for a large 6-10 inch bulky fly.

You need a much deeper action to roll the line out rather than fire it out. If you look at the Hardy (see..i do like the odd rod!!) Ad Swier Pike fly, this has a fast recovery, but deeper action for his HUGE flies. Its very good indeed. Then there is the new Scierra Pike fly..again, a differnt action to what is normally palmed off as a Pike rod. These rods are only a 7/8 and 8/9 weights, but honed on the shooting head tactics on the Baltic sea. Lovely rods with the right tactics. :)