I see Sage has reintroduced a new model of this old favourite. Lovely rods if a bit pricey.
https://www.farlows.co.uk/sage-trout-ll-single-handed-fly-rod.html
I cannot see the point in spending even moderate money on a short range casting tool. (One of the catalysts for my Simba query). Is line/leader/stealth not more important?
All these premier rods are vastly overpriced for what is essentially a length of plastic with some cork glued to one end.
On the other hand compared to quality photography gear it's peanuts and the rod only becomes obsolete in people's heads whereas cameras do become obsolete and wear out. So if you look after your rod it will last a lifetime.
Glass fibre has made an expensive comeback in recent years. Totally absurd and a classic example of the power of marketing.
I quite fancy a new LL 389 or 486, nothing wrong with liking nice things, I'm a complete tackle tart though and I realise something like a Redington classic trout would be similar! With glass rods, they've hit the mainstream again over the last five years but they have been advancing quietly over the last few decades to the point that I find them superior for small stream fishing and some tapers are even good enough for medium to large waters! They're a hell of a lot of fun to fish and I think people have forgotten that's what fishing is about. You can go cheap and buy Maxcatch or Aventik but if everyone done that then the tackle industry here in the U.K. would go tits up and all the money would go to sweatshop owners, that and I think the line ratings are way off.
At least that's how I justify my expensive tastes for western made products! A glass rod from Chris Barclay is a small stream heirloom grade machine!
http://cbarclayflyrods.com/
I still use my old Sage ZXL 9' #4 and my Sage Z Axis 9' #4 for just about all my fishing. I also use a Scott 9' #5 when I need a bit more beef. All three rods were bought 2nd hand for a about 1/3 of the new price. For small streams I just over-line the ZXL.
Bought one as soon as they arrived on these shores. Not even had a line through it yet :(
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Quote from: sagecirca on May 10, 2020, 11:23:35 AM
Not even had a line through it yet
Aye David it's a depressing situation. We have probably missed the best of the river trout season already :(
You'll have to let me know what you think David, the 486 was going to replace my X in the same size but might just keep both!
Quote from: Sean Freeman on May 10, 2020, 11:49:26 AM
You'll have to let me know what you think David, the 486 was going to replace my X in the same size but might just keep both!
They will both be totally different actioned rods. I know this without even casting them - the LL is more slower actioned and suited for dries. The X is fast with a fast recovery and could handle everything other than barbless flies, light tippets and small fish!
Quote from: admin on May 10, 2020, 11:37:44 AM
Aye David it's a depressing situation. We have probably missed the best of the river trout season already :(
I was hoping we'd at least salvage some of what May has to offer but that's looking unlikely.
Quote from: sagecirca on May 10, 2020, 01:06:21 PM
They will both be totally different actioned rods. I know this without even casting them - the LL is more slower actioned and suited for dries. The X is fast with a fast recovery and could handle everything other than barbless flies, light tippets and small fish!
Yeah that's why I'm thinking they'll be different enough to warrant having both, to be fair the X is good on light tippets too but I use it for targeting bigger fish on bigger rivers. It's also a good rod for NZ style and nymphing if it has to. Fancying the LL just for dry fly which is why I can't decide between the 389 and 486.
Quote from: sagecirca on May 10, 2020, 01:07:22 PM
I was hoping we'd at least salvage some of what May has to offer but that's looking unlikely.
Having listened to Sturgeon's recent offering I'd say zero chance of any fishing in Scotland this year. We all have to move at the pace of the slowest area apparently and if we have to wait for the unfolding disaster in Inverclyde to be sorted out we will be in lockdown for a very long time yet.
£800 for a wee rod I think I will give that one a miss. Fine if that is what you want but more than enough rods out there at well below that price that will do the job equally well. I mean what the feck is Konnetic HD Technology
Tight Lines
Quote from: Highlander on May 12, 2020, 05:18:15 PM
I mean what the feck is Konnetic HD Technology
I think its generic name is marketing bullshit. :D
It is a method in physics whereby all wallet fastening systems are rent asunder.
Quote from: Highlander on May 12, 2020, 05:18:15 PM
£800 for a wee rod I think I will give that one a miss. Fine if that is what you want but more than enough rods out there at well below that price that will do the job equally well. I mean what the feck is Konnetic HD Technology
Tight Lines
I have never paid full price for a rod in my puff! There is always someone in the race willing to keep your custom and offer a discount. I have an account with Somers in Aberdeen who looks after me very well - they appreciate good customer loyalty compared to an unnamed, massive shop in Glasgow...
Quote from: sagecirca on May 14, 2020, 01:07:48 PM
I have never paid full price for a rod in my puff! There is always someone in the race willing to keep your custom and offer a discount. I have an account with Somers in Aberdeen who looks after me very well - they appreciate good customer loyalty compared to an unnamed, massive shop in Glasgow...
You can't beat a good tackle shop on loyalty discounts, Fly only in Huddersfield for me. Stuart who runs it said people rush to sportfish and Glasgow angling for Black Friday deals but he said for his regulars it's always Black Friday. He gets all my business and I'm happy to spend my hard earned on decent gear there.
Got my new flee box from Kate Fleming's in Blair today, also a cracking 2nd hand sage one recently for birthday.
Got to try and keep wee shops going.
Ok a bit biased on my side as my good pall and fishing buddy is Kate's son, but none the less. :lol:
There are no decent or dedicated tackle shops on Lewis (for salmon gear especially).
But i do get 20-25% off advertised prices from J Norris.
Quote from: Sean Freeman on May 14, 2020, 10:07:41 PM
You can't beat a good tackle shop on loyalty discounts, Fly only in Huddersfield for me. Stuart who runs it said people rush to sportfish and Glasgow angling for Black Friday deals but he said for his regulars it's always Black Friday. He gets all my business and I'm happy to spend my hard earned on decent gear there.
Aye, agreed although in fairness before I found Somers in Aberdeen I always found Sportfish would gladly give you a deal on any decent purchases! I used to call Danny North and ask him his best price on such and such and without fail I would usually be offered a 20% discount with free delivery. Decent saving...