Fladen Vantage 8' #4 Fly Rod

[Guddler]

I ordered one last week from TackleBargains and as Alex says the standard of finish is what you'd expect for ?25. On the tip section mine one of the snake rings was so badly misaligned that the foot stuck out to the side and would damage your line. I contacted TackleBargains and they said "No bother, just send it back and we'll replace it" so we'll see how I get on when I finally get to cast with it.

[Wildfisher]

I have ordered an 8' #4 to see what it's like. Under 30 quid inc. P+P.

I bought the 7' #3 last year, (really a #4) It's a typical cheap rod. Cheap rods are usually floppy or poker-like. The Fladen 7' #3 is the later, but  although stiff, tends to flex near the middle. The #4 line helps. For 25 quid who's complaining when I see badge engineered tackle selling at nonsensical prices.

[Malcolm]

Of the ones I tried the only one I liked  was the 8ft 4 weight with a 5 line. I found the 9ft 5 weight very powerful for it's stated line rating but I find that with a lot of rods anyway. It felt more like a sea trout rod to me.

[diverdave]

I used to sell the wee fladen rods and they are superb, i really cannot fault them. I used to take beginners out to a pond with these, i had 10 demo rods and even beginners did not break them. A number of my friends use them and have had double figure pellet pigs on them no problem. As far as casting goes, we did a test with one of these and an exact same weight Hardy Angel. The difference with me absolutly thrashing them both was about 5 feet, and ?675!!!!
Go for them four piece and you will be delighted with it!

[Wildfisher]

Took delivery of the 8 foot #4. Casts well enough with a #4, but is better with a #5. I'll buy another I think while you can still get them. 

?25 quid! Disposable really.  It really makes you wonder if it''s worth paying 16 x as much for some badge engineered rod that might not be around in a few years from now. I think if paying big money I want big backup from a serious rod maker like Sage or Orvis. If not I'll buy something like this rod.

[Wildfisher]

i thought the rrp was 16.99, you should be getting 2 for that price.

P+P

[Wildfisher]

I used this rod today, not on grass or municipal duck ponds,  but for real fishing  on a small river. Combined with a  Pitsford Pirate Ivory #5 DT floater (the tip floats on these lines)  and one of the new Snowbee Classic lightweight wide arbour reels the balance and 'feel' was perfect. the control at close range was superb. It was a delight to use, so easy to load and responsive.

This is the best burn rod I have used.

The #5 line was perfect at these distances I think a #4 might be better for > 30 feet. (but why would you want to on a small water?)

Not convinced?

OK look at it another way:

Fladen Vantage 8' #4 Fly Rod - ?20
Snowbee Classic #460 reel  -  ?30
Pirate Ivory #5 DT floater - ?15

Total : ?65

A perfect small river start-up outfit for very little cash. I have a second rod on order and I may now buy a third as well as a few more of the Snowbee reels.

If I sound impressed it's just because I am.    :lol:

[Inchlaggan]

I too am a Fladen fan.
As scotty9 has said, the ferrule problem is easily solved- with some wet & dry 1000, wash carefully, and then grease with candle wax, or a beeswax/turpentine mix.
Most of my "for hire" rods are now Fladen, that includes spinners, pike rods and sea fishing rods- they are pooh-poohed by the Hardy/Sage/Orvis guys- until they try them.
I still get "Hardy only" customers who will pay ?50 a day to hire a Hardy outfit, they could have the Fladen/Okuma set for ?5 a day.
All lines are Greys.
As you now know that means I get my money back on 20 "Hardy Hires" or 7 "Fladen hires".
The "troots caught" return is about the same.

[Clan Ford]

The "troots caught" return is about the same.

Surely not :shock:  Do the fish in your neck of the woods have no taste :lol:

Norm

[Inchlaggan]

nah, most of them take a P***r R**s.