Short and stout.
- This topic has 21 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated Jan 2, 2009 at 5:19 pm by
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I asked the question at the beginning of the year about a “Short” rod that can also sling a streamer. Since then many of the rod companies have come out with bass rods in the seven foot range. I was not really looking for a bass rod but something to get in and around the rhodies when hiking and fishing the Cohuttas, the Conasauga and Smokeys. I was told “Glass” and Bamboo were my ticket and I went that direction. I think Cameron may have twisted my arm a little – I am not sure.
During the same time period My daughter was born and I needed a little something to remember that special occasion. I ordered a rod from Mike McFarland just to fit my bill. It is a 4 piece 6 foot 5 wt. That puts it in an 18″ long tube which is perfect for any backpack. After ordering in February – The rod took longer to build than expected and arrived the week before Thanksgiving… That being said, it was worth the wait and it is amazing.
The perfect small tight stream bomber that will easily cast a streamer or a small dry 100 ft. Its action is really slow and kind of hard to get used to especially after casting my much faster Scott S4 – but slowing down is a major point of fishing.
The little Amelia June.
blued REC hardware with roping, flame burled ash
The Amelia June, and some details that I do not have photos of is the agate guide and the craftsmanship on the guides.
poor little girl has to grow up with me.I held off on posting because I wanted to really fish it before I said what i thought. I was pissed on how long it took to get but like I said – it is worth it. The only reason I was upset is because Mike gave me a different time frame and we were not close. I purchase a Steffen Brothers Rod while waiting for this one – another great rod but in a different league altogether. It is a tool to fish with and this one is a tool to admire while you fish.
This rod was a replacement for 2 graphite rods that I had built myself and lost in a fire. So there is good reason to spend whatever you can on whatever you want. This rod has been fished twice but already has more memories that any piece of equipment I own. (And I still paid less for this than any of my Scotts or Winstons)
-kp
I wish everyone on this site could cast this thing. Anyone who plays on the small creeks would fall in love.
This would be a great standard rod for any company – 4 and 5 wt. I really do not see the point in lighter (but that is just me). I have a Winston 3wt that just lost it’s home to these glass rods.
Ah – I see Cameron has converted another disciple. Congratulations Kevin, you will love that rod.
He has. Glass is a perfect southern rod.
Neal, now we need to take you to get some real BarBQ. Seeing that Colonel Pooles sign kind of makes me ill inside (but I AM at home with the stomach bug). Davis, BubbaQ, the Pink Pig, Two Brothers (i only say because it is better the the hill of fame) and there are more but they
Those McFarland rods are just gorgeous, but that one doesn’t hold a candle to your pip squeak.
Anybody ever compare the Mcfarlands with the Steffen Bros?
Those McFarland rods are just gorgeous, but that one doesn’t hold a candle to your pip squeak.
Anybody ever compare the Mcfarlands with the Steffen Bros?
And I did not do it justice with the photos. Honestly it is hard to compare the McFarland and The Steffen rods. I have a 7ft 4wt Steffen and The 6ft 5wt McFarland. The two rods cast and perform very similar if that is ALL that you are looking for. My Steffen is a little faster but it may be the length of the rod and I overline it with a 5wt line. They will both easily cast the same distance for me. The price is a couple a hundred dollars different as well and the time it take to get. The craftsmanship is also in both but in opposite ways. The McFarland is much like a Baroque Painting, every detail is there and done the compliment all the other parts. The Steffen is more like a Modern Deconstructed Painting and it too is Beautiful with the unfinished blank and the attention to performance but you can tell it is made to really fish. I am not a big fan of the bellinger seats on the Steffen but it does the job well. If I get another steffen I wil just buy the blank and build my own.
Here are some pics that I found on the web of the Steffen – I have to get a camera to get pictures of mine.
The only thing different on my McFarland would have been adding the roped winding check at the head of the cork which is you have ever built a rod (especially custom) it is a pain. Then to blue it on top of that is to much of a request. It also does not have a hook keeper which is pretty useless as well on this short of a rod.
The price difference between a McFarland and the Steffen
Steffen 4 piece – $375.00 ($425 if you upgrade the seat)
McFarland Stream Grade 4 piece – about $475.00 (to $700 presentation grade and it is worth it) and you have a choice of actions.The length of time it took to get the McFarland kind of forced me into the Steffen and As I told Cameron earlier – The steffen will probably become my new “Always” with me rod in the truck.
http://fiberglass-fly-rods.pbwiki.com/
All you can find on modern glassHere is a good link for you and the Glass Guys on
http://fiberglassflyrodders.yuku.comHere is a shameless plug for Cameron as well (He has learned the fine art of making you love the glass)
http://www.thefiberglassmanifesto.blogspot.com/I am thinking about getting some blanks but also looking at the TL Johnson Fly Rods because they too are beautiful. I am signed up for a jewelry class with my wife with the intent of making my own reel seats… but we’ll see how that goes.
Ah – I see Cameron has converted another disciple. Congratulations Kevin, you will love that rod.
I take a little afternoon nap…and wake to all kinds of fiberglass chat on the I.A.!
Neal…I’m winning you all over one (in Kevin’s case TWO) custom rod purchase at a time. HA… There really are applications still for fiberglass fly rods, both vintage and contemporary.
Kevin…I noticed that there was not a winding check on the rod. Your choice or just not offered on that rod? Your assessment of the cosmetics of the two is very true. Even the “low end” Spruce Creek rods are flawless in quality of the build. Steffen builds some of, if not the, nicest fiberglass blanks out there. From the builders that I’ve talked to the blanks are arrow straight and rolled perfectly. Builds from his shop are functional rather than aesthetic and his focus is to build the ultimate fishing tool.
I am pining for a 8 1/2 foot three piece 5/6 weight Steffen blank right now as my “Out West” rod to do big water, drift boats, lakes, etc. I’m sure I’ll add it some time this year.
Mike McFarland is taking orders again and now offers three grades of rods in the Spruce Creek series. I’ve got a post on The Fiberglass Manifesto blog outlining each grade…
http://thefiberglassmanifesto.blogspot.com/2008/12/mcfarland-taking-orders.html
Expect a wait. Up to a year but I promise the quality of Mike McFarland’s work will make up for the time spent wondering when it will arrive.
Regan…there is a small group of professional builders out there specializing in fiberglass builds…and then a few that are on the come up doing amazing work. If you get serious about a fiberglass build let me know. The Fiberglass Flyrodders (http://fiberglassflyrodders.yuku.com/) site is a good place to look around as well. Much talent, knowledge, and willingness to help there.
KP & Cameron,
There you two go again about glass! What do you do when you are on a tailwater and need to reach out and touch a southern Striper 50+ feet away? Do they have the backbone to put the hurt on the fish when it is time to pull them out of a patch of hydrilla or from under a stump?
Just askin’?BTW Cameron…still want the shirts, just givin’ ya hell.
D.
KP & Cameron,
There you two go again about glass! What do you do when you are on a tailwater and need to reach out and touch a southern Striper 50+ feet away? Do they have the backbone to put the hurt on the fish when it is time to pull them out of a patch of hydrilla or from under a stump?
Just askin’?Dusty, Honestly I have not tried a heavier weight glass rod. It does have the backbone to pull the big fish out of places like you are talking about but like Cameron said… It might be a very heavy rod. These things are not light little noodles that you might think – That is why I do not like anything less than a 4 wt. I am not giving up on My Graphite rods, I just think everyone who hits the small tight streams might want to take a “Serious” look at glass. The two are made for each other like Peanut Butter and Chocolate.
Wind would be another issue for myself. I like the faster rods to cut the wind and if I am working a larger sort of normal everyday stream, you would see me with my Scott G2 or if windy the S4. And the fishing that you are talking about, I would be fishing my S4 9 wt.
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