Fly Fishing

youngblood · Newbie Joined: Feb 26, 2008 Posts: 2

Hey im new at this and i am lookin to get an 8wt to go along with my sixwt.

i was looking at maybe the G.Loomis Cross current???

im only lookin to spend around 350$

please help me out i dont want to buy anything that isnt the best for what i can afford

jeremy · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:53 pm Post subject: hey

this may help you ... i recommend orvis fly rods (especially if you are just starting) .. are they "the best" .. well, i guess "the best" is very subjective and "best" in terms of what? ... i like orvis because here is what i see as qualifying for "the best" in my book

1. will they be around in 5 years? probably they have been around for 150 years so far .. so, its a safe bet.

2. what's the guarantee? pretty darn good ... you break it . they fix it.

3. how well are they staffed? very well .. 800 customer service, online chat, dealers worldwide, etc..

4. helpful? - to the 'nth degree

5. good price ranges .. sure .. you can pay any where from 150 - 800 bucks ..

so - this is a democratic forum and everyone has different opinions and that's what makes it cool ... consider me biased or whatever .. but, for a "beginner" such as your self .. looking for "help" and a great starting point .. from a company you can trust and grow with ... i recommend Orvis ... start here .. a pretty cool fly rod selector technology .. built specifically for the exact type of question you are asking ...
Fly Rod Selector

ChrisR · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:19 pm Post subject:

I would go out and cast a bunch of different fly rods and pick the one that felt best to you. There are a lot of great rods available in that price range. I started out fly fishing trout. So I was using anything from 2 to 6 wt rods. One thing I noticed is that the heavier the wt line. The more I notice the differences in the way a rod casts. Lower wt lined rods can be cast with more sutle changes to your cast style. The heavier wt lines can really vary a great deal IMO.

gerry · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:55 pm Post subject:

Ditto to Jeremy, Orvis is a great company, they helped to get me going when I started guiding in the late 90's. What he says is true of Beans to and they're New England based company, I'm always eager to help some guy out with selecting rods, etc. when they come in. Ask every ? that comes into your head to. None of us are above answering them. Be mad if you didn't. Too bad they(Orvis) don't make the Siver Label series of rods anymore. They were good ones. Hope this helps

youngblood · Newbie Joined: Feb 26, 2008 Posts: 2

[color=green]thanks guys my principal is getting back surgery and wont be able to fish anymore so it was sorta an answer to prayer cause he has alot of nice equipment that he sold me for a steel

i got a ten ft. G. Loomis IMX 7 wt. made around 2002

i also got a phlueger supreme reel with it

i actually wanted the new battenkill barstock from orvis, but the supreme fit the rod nicely so i didnt seperate them

i also got a super old cortland reel that has a 3:1 gear ratio it is sweet

now im lookin for a 2wt. and im leaning towards a orvis superfine, or a custom rod from a local builder, but again im worried about warrenty

what would you do??

are abel reels any good??

psc_wildboy · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:48 pm Post subject:

Man ... sounds like you are really stocking up! I just got a new 3 wt this past fall and I am loving it, it's an orvis TLS power matrix with a battenkill bar stock reel. I love it. I would have to agree with the other guys on orvis rods, although being a vermonter I might be a bit bias, but trust me this thing is sweet, and not all that expensive. It casts so nice, and still has enough backbone to handle some larger fish (I landed a 19 inch smallmouth on it... not bad, eh).

Hunter · Newbie Joined: Dec 06, 2006 Posts: 39

The Superfine series is as nice as you'll find in light line weight tapers without going over to bamboo, IMO anyway. I love my 7' 4wt Superfine- I've landed a lot of nice fish on it and it's a joy to cast- especially roll casting.

redpig · Newbie Joined: Feb 27, 2008 Posts: 3

I have had the TFO tri cri 8wt series. Worked great so far in the salt as well as the fresh water. Very versitile in the medium action. it loads up nicely for some great distance casts out in the open. All eyes are corrosion and rust resistant. Matched with an Orvis Mach large arbor. Cant beat it. Great all around quality rod for a fair price.