FF Show, 2004

[dcabarle]

I'm not sure about you guys, but this years show was pretty good. Unfortunately, I just about emptied the bank account purchasing stuff. It's an addiction, I'm tellin you.

Yesterday (Saturday) I had the opportunity to meet a few of you at the show. Nice talking with you guys. It's a small world too. I met up with one of the guys I play hockey with, and would have never known he fly fished unless I saw him at the show.

I tried out a few rods. The first is a 9' 5wt T&T Vector. I already own the same rod in an 8 1/2 foot, but this rod was a different monster, so I purchased one. I now own 3 5 weight rods. I'm going to have to get rid of one, so it's going to be a SAGE XP 4pc 5wt. Too bad, because it's easy to place in a bag and bring on a plane with me. T&T in my opinion has the nicest casting rods on the market. Just for kicks, I tried a Bamboo Elk Horn rod. What a piece of crap! Sorry, but the rod was just too rubber bandy for my taste. Winston has a new rod out, the Boron LTX. This was a beautiful graphite rod. It's their fast action rod, but it was a little slow. That's actually a good thing with this rod. Very enoyable to cast, and I wouldn't mind adding one of them to my collection. This was a 9' 5wt rod. I tried a bunch of Loomis's new line of rods, and didn't like any of them. They didn't even come close to the Winston or T&T rods.

I purchased a pair of Korkers. What a deal, 109+tx + a free pair of soles to go with them. You've gotta mail in a certificate to get the free pair, but it is a $30.00 value. The boots are extremely comfortable too.

We went around looking for some trips to Montana and came across a few different vendors. One of them offered a 6day 7night stay on the Henry's Fork for 1350. This includes lodging, guide service for all 6 days, and lunch each day. Nice deal. We booked for 2005, but I'm thinking of maybe going this year too.

I'm a stickler for gimmicks. One gimmick I think I'm going to like is the 'Magic Tool'. I was going to buy one at the Fly Tying show last month but opted out. I did some research on it and it seems like many people out there really like this tool. I can't wait to give it a try.

Another gimmick I purchased were fly's. I must have purchased 150 flys, and have absolutely nowhere to put them. Guess I should have purchased a new box to go with them too!

Anyone in the market for a home built Sage XP 4pc 9' 5wt rod?

Anything stick out to anyone else? How about the Frogs Hair tippet material challenge? I fell for it. I've been using Orvis Fluoro for a while now, but this stuff just seems to be much better. I can't wait to put it through the real test.

I walked around for the past 2 days and had a great time. Wish I would have bumped into more of you, but I'm sure we'll meet up soon enough, spring time is only around the corner.

 

[Black Gnat]

I, too, was at the show.
Bought some frog hair leaders to go with the tippet I started using last season. This stuff really works as advertised.
Its really limp and strechy. Good for those drag-free drifts!

Best,
Black Gnat

 

[njflyguy]

Dennis did you have any takers on that sage 4wt you advertised earlier? and are those the korker convertibles you bought? I was going to buy a pair but they said they were out of size 13s and the show prices were only good AT the show, of the few other things I was interested in purchasing that were not in stock most of the vendors offered to extend the show price to a mailorder for that item, the guy with the boots wouldn't do it.......go figure....ED

 

[Sawkill]

I was at the show on Saturday. Unfortunately, unlike Dennis, I was very poor this year, (unlike the last three shows). I was very good. I renewed my DRF membership, I bought lunch, and I bought some Dots from Dot Man. I had interesting conversations with some of the vendors, I looked at every booth that had anything of even vague interest, and I went to all the seminars that I could. I too wish I had seen more people, but such is life.
Is it Spring yet?
Bob

 

[bjmiller]

Yea Dennis, it was nice to see you again. Also was good to meet Jon (WB Catechumen) and JoeT. Next time it will be on the river!! The main thing I purchased was 3 more waterproof C & F flyboxes. It's nice to know your flies will stay dry even if you drop your box, and it will float. I have 5 now and still need more. It's funny how you can have too many flies (to carry) and not enough (to fish with) at the same time.

 

[DenisF]

Elkhorn Bamboo

Eric and I also tried out the Elkhorn bamboo, it sucked. The rep. did not know what taper it was or what 'action'. When I inquired as to who makes these rods, the rep's reply was "we do". I said no, who OEM's them for you. Turns out they are made in china! Eric bought a used vintage 7' 6" 5WT Montague 'rapidan' instead. The guides need to be redone and the rod dipped but that's it. Not bad for $135. I predict we'll be seing more and more cheap junk bamboo rods in the future.

 

[Kenny Joe]

SHOWTIME

I really enjoyed the show. I went mainly to try a lot of rods. I am a beginner and decided to toss a few rods at the dry area. Big mistake. I caught the fence many times so I raised my backcast and caught the ceiling. The best rod for me that I tried was a Powell 10wt. but it was so heavy!. It was great to meet DennisC. and find out he and my future son-in-law are good friends. Soon we will all fish together, I hope.

 

[dcabarle]

Ed,

I didn't advertise the Sage at the show. I'm putting it on Ebay sometime today, along with the other 2 rods. Yes, they are the convertible Korkers. So comfortable! The placde I purchased mine did have a size 13 available. I'll find the shop name if you like, it's in Livingston Manor, NY.

Kenny, I didn't know you were new at FF. Had I known you were looking for a rod, I may have been able to make a few suggestions for you. A very nice cheap rod was the Elk Horn. It was a rod/reel combo deal for I think $160.00? I was amazed at how well these things cast. To add to that, I'd take the $160.00 Elk Horn graphite over an Orvis rod ANY DAY. It's just a better rod.

After trying a handfull of the new Loomis rods, my father brought to my attention that they are no longer made in the good ole' USA. Instead, they are imports from Korea or China.

So one person saw Dotman... Where was he? They must have put him by the DRF booth all the way in the back. It's too bad someone could 'screw up' like that.

As far as the bamboo Elk Horns... The rep asked me how I liked the rod and I told him it was by far, the worse bamboo rod I've cast. He was a bit arrogant after I told him that and then went on to tell me, 'It's bamboo, not graphite, and if you're looking for that fast action rod, to stick with graphite." Uhhh... no. your rod is a piece of crap and that's all there is to it. He pat me on the shoulder and smiled and I walked away.

Anyway... Ramsey had my 5wt T&T 3pc rod for $400.00 while everyone else was selling the same rod for 535 and up. The Ramsey guy said that there's not really a market for the T&T's in this area because so many people come into the store and see the SAGE and Orvis rods while bypassing the best rod in the store because the name isn't as big. One mans loss is another mans Gain. I'm actually happy they're not going to be selling T&T anymore, I just saved 200 bux!

Dennis did you have any takers on that sage 4wt you advertised earlier? and are those the korker convertibles you bought? I was going to buy a pair but they said they were out of size 13s and the show prices were only good AT the show, of the few other things I was interested in purchasing that were not in stock most of the vendors offered to extend the show price to a mailorder for that item, the guy with the boots wouldn't do it.......go figure....ED

 

[Kenny Joe]

ELK HORN

I looked at the Elk Horns last year and having not cast a fly rod in twenty or so years, I didn't try one. I did try the 10wt. this year and got one with the reel. I got one of their reels last year for a three wt. I did not yet own, and once I did I liked their reel. Great for the price.

 

[CR]

Dennis - that "magic tool," was it a clear plastic clip with two spring loaded clips used for spinning dubbing and CDC? They were selling for about forty bucks....and you can accomplish the very same technique with a 35 cent metal spring-loaded paperclip from Office Depot.

 

[Eagle Claw]

Dennis, I recently purchased a Loomis glx ( streamdance model) in the high line speed. I believe they only make the high line speed in the 5 wt. the others are presentation and fast speed and really like it. I also have a Sage xp 4 wt but might dump it for a Loomis glx fast line speed. What did you like better about the TT? What did you not like about the Loomis ?

 

[dcabarle]

Dennis - that "magic tool," was it a clear plastic clip with two spring loaded clips used for spinning dubbing and CDC? They were selling for about forty bucks....and you can accomplish the very same technique with a 35 cent metal spring-loaded paperclip from Office Depot.

Good point however, I've read about a few people also trying to do this and they reported that it's ineffective. I couldn't believe that, so I tried a few of my own after watching the demo at the FF show last month. These clips are significantly different. They are $30.00, but probably cost the same exact thing to make as the 35Cent clips. They're raping people like me for this little plastic gadget probably not worth more than 5 bux, and that's even too much however, I'm a person who likes gadgets and felt I could not live without it.

 

[dcabarle]

Arnold,

I simply did not care for the way these rods cast. They were fair at best and to be honest, I would have opted for the (160.00 rod/reel combo) Temple Fork rods over the new Loomis, but that's my casting style. The traditional GLX is a very nice rod, I can't argue that. These other Streamdance rods are simply an inferior product. They cannot produce the casting experience that the "slower" Winston rod was able to produce. I reviewed a Winston LTX back in September and mentioned that the rod was missing something. Winston realized the rod was missing something and went back to the drawing board. They nailed this one on the head and produced a really nice rod. I cannot say that about the Loomis.

Your sage 4wt XP will cast a line much better/nicer than the new Loomis' (my opinion of course). I've tried the 4wt Sage and loved it, even moreso than the 5wt XP. If you're going with the Loomis GLX Classic, it's a very good choice in rods. I'll be honest with you, I did not cast the new GLX Classic, but probably should have, to see if anything was tampered with. My father who is an exceptional caster is selling his 6wt GLX Classic and getting the 6wt T&T Vector.

Now as far as the T&T, it's known as, "The rod you'll eventually own" and for good reasons. This particular model (9' 5wt) surely excels in distance casting, but probably not so good with casting in close distance. Close is not why you would purchase this rod though. This rod is a powerhouse. Although maybe not as powerfull as the GLX Classic, it's definetely a nicer casting rod. If you get a chance, I highly recommend you try one.

To sum things up. What do I like about the T&T? My opinion is that they are the smoothest rods on the market. What don't I like about the new Loomis'? They simply don't compare with other rods (even temple fork), and If I were building a rod collection, I would leave the new Loomis line out of it. They dont' feel nice, they don't cast nice, but I'll give them an E for effort on looks.

Dennis, I recently purchased a Loomis glx ( streamdance model) in the high line speed. I believe they only make the high line speed in the 5 wt. the others are presentation and fast speed and really like it. I also have a Sage xp 4 wt but might dump it for a Loomis glx fast line speed. What did you like better about the TT? What did you not like about the Loomis ?

 

[onemorecast_OLD]

I have three T&T's. a 3wt a 5wt and 9wt and they are all fantastic.

the 5 and 9 have great backbone, but are different from the GLX in that the rod when properly loaded seems to flex down through the rod where I find the flex in the GLX does not go as low. T&T casts well even in close with the 5wt

I would say the GLX is lighter. I think the craftsmanship is fantastic on the T&T's and I can vouch for the customer service having driven over my 3wt two years ago.

I have done a little comparing since I am thinking about buying a GLX for my trip to MO with Joe T this summer.GLX is very nice also, but different. Lighter faster stiffer. I can cast about as much line as I need to with the 5wt T&T, but I have the wind issue on the brain so I am considering a 7wt GLX for big streamers, a heavier line to pnch through the wind etc. Shooting head with 9wtT&T Vector is incredible, might be a little big for trout though!!!!

 

[njflyguy]

I picked up the elkhorn 3 piece 4/5 with the reel for that $160 price tag. I casted a few others and wasn't really impressed with any exept the powell 4 weight, but I was able to lay out a cast to the furthest ring and roll cast the elkhorn better than rods I have owned for a couple years, none of the others did that for me, I guess it was just a good fit. I should also say I wasn't in the market for a 4-6 hundred dollar rod just now, had I been there might have been others in the running. I really didn't like the St. Croix avid very much, one booth had a used loomis gl3(I think) which cast nicley but was a little bit more beat up that I cared for.

 

[dcabarle]

Do you own the 8 1/2 foot 5wt or the 9' 5weight T&T? The 8 1/2 foot I find casts just fine for close distance. My father disagrees.

I found that the 9' 5wt was not very good a very close range (Under 15'). I wouldn't subject myself to using the 9' for anything under 20ft. My opinion is that it's too much of a rod for close casting.

I have three T&T's. a 3wt a 5wt and 9wt and they are all fantastic.

the 5 and 9 have great backbone, but are different from the GLX in that the rod when properly loaded seems to flex down through the rod where I find the flex in the GLX does not go as low. T&T casts well even in close with the 5wt

I would say the GLX is lighter. I think the craftsmanship is fantastic on the T&T's and I can vouch for the customer service having driven over my 3wt two years ago.

I have done a little comparing since I am thinking about buying a GLX for my trip to MO with Joe T this summer.GLX is very nice also, but different. Lighter faster stiffer. I can cast about as much line as I need to with the 5wt T&T, but I have the wind issue on the brain so I am considering a 7wt GLX for big streamers, a heavier line to pnch through the wind etc. Shooting head with 9wtT&T Vector is incredible, might be a little big for trout though!!!!

 

[Eagle Claw]

The Loomis glx (streamdance series) has a 5 weight in what they call the max line speed. It is only made in the 5 wt. which is the one I have and it is a powerhouse. The other streamdance rods are either presentation series or high line speed. You may want to try the max line speed in a 5 wt.Dennis I know you did not like the streamdance series but I am not sure you tried the max line speed 5 weight. Again, they only make it in a five weight.

 

[willowhead]

I had a fantastic show! All three days were great! Although i got there late (3:30) on Sat. because i was comming from Roscoe and couldn't leave until i had the chores finished. It's a bit hard to get outside and get going on the chores before noon nowdays, lol. But i think i was doing them by 10:00 on Sat. so i could get going. I bought three pairs of sissors, a half dozen fly boxes, and two books this year, that's it. Course the two books cost $1,500 so i guess that's why i only got the sissors and fly boxes besides. LOL. The two books are both vols. one and two of Rare and Unusuall..............and i already have two copies of volume two (three now) but she wouldn't sell vol. one by itself. So, all i have to do is sell two of my three copies of volume two and i'm home free. Anyone interested??????????? They are both brand new, never even opened, still in the shrink wrap, and signed. $500 each. They go for as much as $900 on E-bay. Dotman had his booth over in the DoubleTree Hotel for those that didn't know that. I have the T&T three piece, 9 ft. 5 wt. and it is a dream rod. I think it's a Vector (? lol) has all the gold hardware on it. I still say the Gatti is way smoother than any of them though. mark

 

[willowhead]

Oh! i just remembered i did get a couple more pieces of Polar Bear and renew my membership in the DRF. Now, have allllllll of you joined the DRF? If you don't help out, who will? Thank you, mark

 

[dcabarle]

I'll be re-registering today. I didn't even think to register at the show. Is the rod raffle still on too? I'll sign up for that!!!

Did anyone sign up for the bamboo rod the Catskill Museum was raffling off?

 

[willowhead]

Dennis, yes the rod raffle is still on. You can do it all on-line. The CFFC&M raffles off a bamboo rod every year, but to tell you the truth i have never bought a raffle ticket for that. Course my wife and i have given that place 20K easy, over the years. Guess i just don't feel like shootin' a $20 ticket for a rod i've never cast. Although if you win it, you could always sell it. That deal is usually with the reel if i'm not mistaken............(?). Well, good luck if you GFI. mark