Fav Rods And Reels!
I would like to no everybody's favourite 10'6 Rod and Fav Baitcasting reel please!!

sage 2106 and 3106 with calcutta 400!

sage 2106LLB,3113LB,the original 6500,and Milner centerpin

Aside from the Sage 3106 which I own and I'd like to get rid of for a Talon 106MF2 (10'6, basically the Talons exact competitor for the 3106), I think the Talons are way way better, but aside from that, one of my favourite 10'6 rods as I've told you in the past is the Berkley Kodiak 10'6 10-20. That rod is light, sensitive and a damn hell of a workhorse.

As for reels, anything abu. I love my abu garcia 6600 Ambassadeur Morrum. Its a great reel, smooth, has a thumb bar, and well, to be quite frank it makes the calcutta look like horseshite.

But at the same time my Abu 5000 which I picked up for 80 bucks is a wicked reel too.

I think anyones rod right now is probably their favourite, or they wouldn't have picked it.
Once you get to know your rod and it performs for you, you will probably back it up.

Scott

<6016>
I had a calcutta but it took me all day to reel the damn thing in.

I now use an Ambassador 6500 C4 and a Fenwick HMX 10.6 foot drift rod. The C4 reels in much faster than the calcutta, not quite as smooth, but is half the price.

I don't believe in spending 400 dollars for a sage rod when I can catch just as many fish on a rod that cost me $129.99.

By the way, this is undoubtably the most popular combo seen on the Fraser this summer.

<6017>
Robert,
Keep in mind the fellas that spend the 400 dollars on a Sage rod have a Lifetime warranty
on it as well as they get to have their rod
custom made to their own specifications. For
instance that tiny little hand space (cork) above
your reel where you put your hand to fight
the fish, well mine is a chandeleer type cork
and the space is larger to accomodate
my hold hand and not half my hand. It is also grade AAA cork and will last a very long time. Its all about what you look for in a rod. The rods don't catch the fish for, whoever said they did? Some of it is about performance and durability,
Some of it is about warranty, and some of it is
about comfort and cosmetic features which
make using the rod that much more enjoyable.
That is why some people venture into the idea
of having a 400 dollar custom made rod done for
them.

Scott

<6018>
I build my own Sage rods (I have 4 of them from 3106 to 4120) I love em all. Building my own rods was something I didn't think I could handle but it actually is alot easier than I thought it would be. I get a more personal feeling of enjoyment catching fish on rods I have built myself. They don't perform any better, but I think its kind of like tying flies (which I also do, although poorly). I seem to enjoy it more with gear & lures I built myself. It really isn't much cheaper than having a Sage built for you (maybe $75.00).

If you wanted to look at some of the more economical blanks (with less emphasis on designer brand name, like Sage likes to banter about), there are a number of very good blank manufacturers out there who make good quality stuff (As good as Sage, or better), but I built Sages because of ease of warranty work. If I ever have to get work done, they will replace a section with no quarrels or arguments.

<6020>
No doubt about it Sages are nice. I prefer an 11'6" Lamiglas and a centerpin myself. I thought sage stopped making drift blanks and now only makes fly rods. If this is true those drift rods you guys have might really be worth something.

<6021>
Maurice, Sage got out of making drift blanks because the demand for them wasn't enough to keep making them. I picked up a 3106 before the last final sale was over and I payed well, I payed a few bucks extra for it because they know they are discontinued so they are worth something.
Its nice to put a value on something because
it becomes discontinued, but when it comes down to fishing, the truth comes out and it doesn't matter if something is discontinued or still being sold, it won't be worth crap when you break it on the first fish of the day and you're miles from home after driving all the way out to god knows where to fish wherever you are.
I do enjoy by 3106 (My steelhead/coho rod), however my Talon (spring/chum/big water steelhead rod), although a little bit heavier is miles ahead in my opinion in terms of power and durability. It all comes down to what you look for in a rod for what kind of fish. I find
that something lighter, which my Sage is, is a little better/nicer for Steelheading because you make a lot of casting all day and it gets hard on the arms. Something with some beef, maybe half an ounce extra weight when you're out for chinook is all you could ask for because it doesn't matter how heavy something is, when you got a 30 pounder on the end screamin on down river, you won't be paying attention to anything but the amount of line on your spool left.

I will say in conclusion that Sage does put out an excellent product. Their drift blanks are phenominal, however if I had to pick the best line of drift blanks, it would be Talon hands down. Their IM6 graphite is excellent, and
the tackle shops have provided me all the evidence I need to back them up, as I've said in the past, every tackle shop I've ever talked to who now retails the Talons and The Sages, has had way less breakage problems with the Talons.
Berrys hasn't had a Talon break in the 3 years they've sold them and they've sold well over a 100 Talon blanks/custom made rods by now.
Peter Mcpherson of Freds custom tackle said in the store one day, while I had my talon in the car and one of my fishing buddies had his Sage in the car "We've had way less breakage problems with the talons, then the Sages." The best part about that was when I asked him to "Say it louder so my friend could hear."

Sages fly rods, now theres another story.
Obviously Sage is regarded as the industry standard and I'm sure they are that for a variety of reasons. I own two Sage fly rods, one 996 RPL+ (9 weight, 9'6 long) and one 6100-3 RPL+ (6 weight, 10'0 foot, 3 piece) and they make me
look like I have more expierience casting then I actually have. I still haven't found a shooting head that I can't throw and/or fish on my 9 weight.

Oh well, Anyways, I want you to keep in mind though, everything I have said is my expierience and has come from my personal use with the rods I have used, some people have other conclusions to give which is great. Thats what makes us who we are.

Scott

<6023>
Building your own sage rod sounds cool, and the warrantee is nice, but if the blank blows up, it's still your responsibility and money to get it retied. If you buy one already tied, the whole thing is on warrantee.

<6024>
Robert,
If you buy a Sage blank, whether you custom build it yourself, or you get it built for you, you pay for the blank, the cork, winding checks, hook keeper, guides, tip top, reel seat and butt end.
If the blank breaks, you get a new one and you have to pay to have the section that broke (in bout 99 percent of the cases, the top section) rebuilt which means stipping down the old broken tip of the guides and putting them onto your
new tip top which Sage or whoever you bought it from has sent you (or doing it yourself if you build the rods yourself). This ends up costing money, but a very small price in most cases and the performance and long term savings are worth it
in just about every case. I think if you fish
hardcore drift fishing or you put a lot of time in, the amount of time you put into fishing and what the expierience means to you should be represented by how much money you put into your gear. Good gear doesn't mean buying top of the line, but if you buy good gear with warranties
and things that make you happy cosmetically and performance wise, it can help you get even more of the sport that you love so dearly and personally. A lot of times a warranty on top of saving you money in the long run, will also put a lot of confidence in your gear since you know its backed by a warranty.
When I got my rods built for me, I asked that
the rod builder give me blue guide wraps on my
Sage as well as write my name on the rods
The blue with the burgundy looks kinda cool!
This makes this fishing weapon that much more personal to me. It adds to my enthusiasm knowing
this is my rod and this is my tool. You have the option of doing that if you build your own rods or have one built for you. I'm not advocating
going out and buying custom everything if you can't afford it, but if you plan on getting into this fishing thing long term for years to come and you know you will be in it, why not?
Its the same way I think when I buy tackle, dont buy those pissy little 27 yard spools of leader
that Maxima puts out, buy one shot spools for your leader, or in the case of my friend Brent,
buy a 3000 yard spool for your leader line! (hehe!!).

Scott

<6025>
I like to use a 10.5 ft Febwick HMX with a Calcutta 400. Better than any abu. Right Mike hehe.

<6027>
How about us guy's that dont want to (can't) spend a wad on gear....... if I wanted to buy a new drift rod and level wind reel what should I look for and what will I get for $150 or there abouts. And more improtantly where should I go.

<6030>
Scott,
I've done a little bit of research here and
there and what I can tell you is that SOME tackle stores tend to sell crap way over the real value of it. For instance the Berkley Kodiaks when they first came up for retailing for about 140-150 bucks a piece
When they sold them at the tackle shows they were selling them at a fraction, like 80 bucks. Thats when I got mine brand new. Often times tackle shows are an excuse for some places to get rid of old stock, for new years stock, but the stuff they sell is still kick arse gear, so take advantage of those every year.

As for your question, what can you get into 150 bucks, well, what I did was just wait until I had more money, and then make the call. Or if you shop around, and ask around you can probably find a steal of a deal somewhere, or find something used. Its really dependant on what fishing is to you in your life and if its just a weekend warrior thing, or something you want to do with as much free time as you can muster in your time off work.

What I did with one of my fly rods since I didn't have the money right away, but I really wanted the rod, and I know they were hard to find anymore(My 996 RPL+) was I asked Brad Michael (Michael and Young FLyshop) some of my payment options and he said I could make payments on the rod. I'm sure any reputable tackle store would love to set up a payment plan. What I would do is email him every paycheque and tell him to charge x amount of dollars to my visa to the point where I payed it off and I went in and picked it up. As long
as your payments aren't an insult to the
tackle store setting up the payment plan for you
(aka like 10 bucks a payment and more like 75-150 a payment or whatever is representative of the purchase) then I'm sure any tackle store would be glad to. Keep in mind that I did not get the rod until I had it payed off though, but if you find a rod you really like and can't afford it right away, this might be a good route to go. Talk
with your tackle store and see what they can set you up with. I'm at the point where the two tackle stores I buy from now almost completely know me, and thats a good relationship to have.
The service is much more personal and you will get more advice because you are a regular customer and even some perks (and savings!!).
Scott

<6033>
I tend to buy 1 new item every year at the Fishing show in february. Last year it was a new belly boat the year before a new fly rod..etc.
What I haven't doen is replace my river gear in along time. The only time I really miss not having new river gear is when I'm drift fishing as I have a tough time holding in a great spot with my current spin-cast rig. Last year Berry's bait had a deal for about $155 for a Daiwa rod and shimano reel. I should have grabbed it but i had just bought the belly boat and figured the wife would tear the boy's off for bait of her own.
I'm figuring I'm going to have to wait unitl the show in feb.
Here's a big question...... is the show in Abbby at the Annex better or cheaper than the show at the Colisium in Van ????

<6034>
It used to be that the Abby show was the one to buy at. But this year I think Hubs was the only major tackle shop there. I didn't go to the Vancouver show this year 'cause in the past it has sucked. They had to much none fishing related booths. The Seatle show is supposed to be great but I haven't made the trip myself.

<6035>
Hey Scott K,its kinda like tying your own fly, and then catching a 5 lb trout on that fly, right. If thats your point, then I might just give rod builing a try sometime soon, because every time I catch a big trout or steelhead on a fly that I tied, well, lets just say that there is no real words to describe the feeling.

<6036>
Robert, I dont build my own rods, but I think that building your own rod would be something
cool to get into because you can save money
and you can build rods how you want. They
are very personal to you just like I'm sure your flies would be, so I'd think it would be a good thing.

AS for tackle shows, never been to the tradex
show in Abbotsford, but I have gone to the VAncouver PNE show the past two years. The show in jan 99 was OK, the show this past year sucked with most of the tackle stores that were there in 99 not even making an appearance. Something about the atomsphere just made it suck. I really want to get down to seattle for one of their tackle shows sometime since I have friends who have gone to one and they said it kicked ass and they picked up a few cosmetic second blanks for cheap cheap cheap and thsoe are the kinds of blanks you guys should all probably start your rod building on.

Robert, by the way, I'm sure you can find a course that can teach you and I know theres a few good books I'm sure somene in here can recommend you. Good luck,
Scott

<6037>
The reason no one is showing up at these shows is because of the price. At the Abbotsford tradex, they want $3200 for every 8ft length you use. Hub sports uses at least, I would say 40 feet, so that would be $16000 for the weekend. It doesn't suprise me in the least that less and less tackle shops and resorts are coming to these things.

<6038>
Now there's an interesting topic ... what would you like to see/do at the Perfect Outdoors Show ? What is it about the existing shows (e.g. Abby Tradex, what's-his-name in Vernon, etc.) that interests you ... and ticks you off ?

I know a lot of people in that business (the business of trying to draw people into large buildings in an effort to sell you something), so if you tell me what you want, I'll pass it on.

<6042>
To me the whole concept is a little suspect.
I mean why should I pay $8 to go somewhere the same places I normally frequent are offering things for sale?
Even 'on sale' means little,a bargain is only a bargain if you need it.
The 'seminars' are usually just come-ons for more 'bargains' or recycled ideas of old.
I'll probably never go to one again,it's the same old same old.

<6131>
Scott

If you want a cheap baitcast drift rod, Shimano Convergence are fairly good (about $100). Personally I hate baitcasting reels and rods. Centerpins with a light rod are the only way to go. They are so much more enjoyable to fish, who cares about it taking a little longer to reel in. Since when is fishing a speed game unless you're on the Pro Bass Circuit. I fish a St.Croix (8-14lb line) custom built rod with a 3 3/4" Seldex. The light rod is perfect for coho and steelhead (who really cares about big, stinky white springs anyhow?). The St.Croix blank is almost a third of the price of a Sage and to me it's just as fishable.

<6138>
Thanks for the info Steve. This is what this board is for !

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