Fly pack rod?
Hi again.
I'm still shopping for a fly rod, and one of the things I've decided is important to me is, as I do a fair bit of hiking, the rod should be a pack rod. I don't have ~$900 to spend on an upper end rod, but in a local store I saw one from Crystal River for $80. This included a 9' multi-piece rod, reel, line, leader and a plastic flybox (didn't see any flies) all in a foam-lined cordura nylon zip case. Anyone familiar with this set? Is it a wise investment for a beginner? Any other opinions/suggestions?

<9079>
Dont waste youre time flyfishing it sucks the big one

<9083>
I love fly fishing Brad. Each to his/her own I guess.
Dave... $80 for rod, reel, line etc. I wonder about the quality and if it will still work after getting a fish on it. Can you spend a bit more money and upgrade a bit. I'm not familiar with this set but it sounds like it's to good of a deal to me.

<9084>
Dave,

The price is so low I would be wary. If you only fish once in a blue moon, it might do in an emergency. I agree with Daisy Mae, you need to up the budget just a tiny bit. Don't you already own a regular flyrod and reel and line? Then maybe just look for the best buy on a medium quality 5 piece. After that long hike you don't want to be frustrated by inferior equipment.

<9085>
All the information is right here.
www.myflyshop.com

Hey Brad, TOO FUNNY! LOL!!!

<9095>
Brad: are you dissin' me?

I don't currently have a fly rod. I do have a Daiwa 230 fly reel from years ago.

If this setup is questionable, how much should I expect to spend on a pack fly rod? I would like the sections to be short - about 30 - 40 cm or so for backpacking. #5 I guess? Some lake & some stream fishing for whatever will bite (but trout is the intent). 9' or so?

Will my Daiwa reel work for a while until I can afford another, if needed?

I don't flycast/fish, so I'm concerned about wasting money on inferior equipment that makes me take Brad's view of life. Is there life beyond fly fishing?

Thanks,
Dave Chapman

<9097>
Dave, the simple answer is "no". The only life beyond flyfishing is one of infinite despair and nauseating depravity. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

<9100>
Dave,

I'd recommend you take a look at the St Croix Imperial line of rods..I know a few people who say those rods are an excellent value. Try Tony at the Harrison Bay Store if you live in the valley.

And as for life after flyfishing? Have to agree with Bobber
Its not so much a hobby as it is an affliction.

<9105>
I agree about the St. Croix rods- I have a 4 wt. and it's a great rod. I got an "Elkhorn" brand 5wt. packrod at Berry's a few years back for around 175.00 or so, c/w a hard tube and a cloth bag, and I've used it many times with no problems. The only tip I'd recommend is to take along a little beeswax to touch up the ferrules to keep them from coming apart during some hard casting. The 5 wt. is a stiff enough rod that it really works better with 6 wt. line in my opinion, so it goes well with my other 6 wt. gear and lines. Berry's has some "home-made" name brand rods around the store that you can get a pretty good deal on, and I've seen the Elkhorns as a "kit" to make your own rod as well.

<9107>
Dave if your looking for a pack rod that is 9' long when put together and 30 to 40 cm long when apart - that's a minimum 7 piece rod. If you find a 7 piece rod for $ 80 (retail), I wouldn't worry to much about your reel matching it.

I don't like to tell people how much to spend on their fishing equipment but I doubt you could find any such rod and price that you would ever be the slightest bit happy with.

You've got a number of months before you probably would be using such a rod so why not toss $20 a month in a jar (along with your current $80) and get something that you'll be much happier with.

<9113>
Dave,
Brad Hay is not dissing you.
If you're in the Lower mainland area, contact
Brad Michael through his website in an email,
http://www.myflyshop.com (Michael and Young
flyshop in Surrey BC)
He will give you the info you need to know straight up and if you don't like it, go else where but I think he should get you into something
that will suit your needs nicely. They retail
St. Croix, all makes and models as well as ElkHorn pack rods and quite a few other setups
I believe. I learn something new everytime I go into that shop. The advice is just too good,
and the prices are VERY competitive.

Scott

<9116>
Ok. The $80 kit is out.

I live in Victoria.BC.CA, so we have Island Outfitters and Robinsons as the main contenders in the fly casting arena. Both have very knowledgable staff who are willing to spend lots of time answering my insufferable unending questions. Both sell rods that are well beyond my means, but also have 2 piece rod & reel kits for around $140 or so that they recommend for beginners. However, I've decided that if I'm going to flyfish, I need a pack rod. Perhaps I'm asking the impossible.

I had a look at the St. Croix and Elkhorn lines at www.myflyshop.com, but these are too rich for me.

So I'll put the idea on hold for a while and see if spring brings sales.

Thanks,
Dave Chapman

<9118>
Dave,
Most rods now a days which have some kind of lifteime warranty usually sell their rods with
some kind of rod tube. Even some that don't have
lifetime warranties sell their rods with rod tubes, or you can buy one. Regardless of being 2 piece of 4 piece, a rod tube would definately help you packing it through the brush. I mean if you're constantly going to strive for hiking to the roughest toughest of spots everytime out, then get a pack rod, but if you're going to the odd hard spot and a few easy to get to spots, etc,
then just get a 2 piece with some kind of aluminum tube which you can pack your rod in.

Just remember that multi piece rods can often, regardless of manufacturer, be a pain in the arse to deal with. Usually more ferrules means more weight in the rod which can influence your "daily casting durability" to the rod and not the rods durability.
You also have more pieces to deal with and
on lower end rods, (the higher end rods boast
that more ferrules don't do this) will create
flat sections on the blank which can influence
casting ever so slightly. I'm a big fan of two
piece rods, I have one 3 piece rod and I'd
personally like to trade it off since it doesn't
really aid in anything for me, but more to deal with.

If you suspect you will like this flyfishing thing, and you have people in your life (which we may be considered as such) who can help you out
with the details, get into something (and spend
the money) on something with a lifeteime warranty.
Its a secure thought to have and you don't have
to spend an arm and a leg for something with a lifetime warranty. You can get a St. Croix Prographite for 125-135 bucks.

A reel, well Dragonfly reels go for about 60-70 bucks (I think). If you wanted something killer I would go with the new Hardy Viscount Large Arbor reels which are about 150 bucks plus taxes, carry a lifetime warranty on defects and are machined
aluminum alloy (I think). Nice reels for the bucks and large arbor definately plays a part.

I am not advocating spending a whole pile of money, but I'm just saying look at where you think fly fishing will play a part in your life,
and then spend accordingly and to your budget.
For something a rod with a lifetime warranty,
a reel which will get the job done provided
its taken care of and not pushed, and a good fly line it shouldn't cost you more than 250-300 bucks.

<9124>
In Victoria, I prefer Robinsons. Talk with Matt instead of just browsing through the store, they carry St. Croix, Scott (better prices than the net), etc. and have access to a lot more than they usually have in stock. It's a small store so inventory space is limited.

<9126>
Dave what is your maximum price range? The 4 piece DragonFly 6 weight rod and the DragonFly 375 reel I use regularly are a great buy. If your Diawa is in working order, you can get a 4 piece DragonFly #6 rod for about $100-$120 on sale ($140 reg). It also comes with a case. Then save up again and buy the DragonFly reel for $70 and get extra spool cartridges for $22.

<9127>
Thanks, Scott, for the reply.

When I'm hiking I use collapsable ski-like poles for walking stability. This means that other gear must be inside the backpack or strapped to the outside. I also cycle (don't have a car) to some local fishing spots. This is my basis for deciding on a 7 or so piece pack rod. I have a couple of multi-piece spinning rods - a Berkely Buccaneer and a Quantum Frontier - and yes, they are more difficult to use, but I think the tradeoff in convenience is worth it. I also have a 9' 2 piece Berkley Air IM7 which I love dearly and is much easier to use than the multi-piece rods. This is a nice rod!

What does a lifetime warranty mean? Or more correctly, what is the rod warrantied against?

Anyways, I can't afford to spend $200-$300 on a new hobby (sorry to infer that flyfishing is merely a hobby :-)). I'll have to follow the advice above and set aside $$ until I can afford something that will work.

Thanks again,
Dave Chapman

<9132>
Lifetime warranty, at least on the St. Croix models and most other models means if you step on it, run over it, crack it over someones head, or just break it on a fish you get a new one provided you send the pieces which comprise the whole rod back to the manufacturer. I'm sure they'd listen if you lost a piece or two as well.
I know St. Croix doesn't ask, and I don't think Sage asks either.

Scott

<9134>
Dave, you are on a budget, ignore Scott who lives on a different planet and doesn't pick up on these minor details. Maybe you could beg borrow or steal an outfit to get you started. I did and I still do.

It's Xmas, let this board and some other forums know that you would like to pick up some reasonable used stuff for a fair price. Lotsa people got old stuff in their basement. You just might make a good friend and mentor at the same time. What is your location and bicycle radius,I'll bet someone has something cheap that will be just enough to make you dangerous. Then if you got the budget and feel committed, spend the bucks and buy a mid priced system that you can grow with and treat with pride.

My 2 cents worth and wishes for a safe and successful New Year to all.

Crabs

<9157>
Yep. I'm on a budget alrighty.

I don't know any fly fishing people, and would be reluctant to borrow 'cause I can be such a klutz at times. :-)

I'm not ready to buy yet. I'm striving to become an educated consumer before I purchase. I plan to buy sometime in spring/early summer. Also, it's Xmas & I'm broke.

I can get just about anywhere in the Victoria B.C area by bike or bus.

I'm nervous about buying used. I couldn't tell good from bad or if I was buying someone else's grief etc.

Thanks,
Dave Chapman

Thursday, October 10, - 01:37 am <18585>
hello dave
i have the rod and reel set you described it is pretty good but mine comes with a small spinning reel.the action is ok for the price when you are using it as fly rod.i just got sedge rod packer style form army and navy this is what you should look in too

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