Picking out a rod

[PGJPJ]

So (as stated in my last thread), my Redington broke and I want to upgrade.

I went down to Fisherman’s at Jantzen Beach. They had two that, if I was talked into it would have been in my price range. The Sage Launch, and GL2. Both were $220, but Sage had one in a 4pc that was $245. :D

My old rod was a 6wt, so I’d save $50 in line if I just use what I already have. Would like a 5wt better, but I’m already going to be in trouble with my wife. :flowered: And I’ve always done well with the 6wt.

Problem was, the two guys working back there wouldn’t even give me eye contact. :passout:I’m not going to go beg for service, not for a couple hundred of my hard earned bucks. But, in their defense maybe they didn’t know very much about fly rods. Maybe if I had a question about what color power bait is better they would have been more help.

Anyway, if I could have one of them answer me that the Sage 4pc came with a hard case, they would already have my money. But they would have had to talk to me first, so I ended up walking out empty handed.

Like the GL2, but don’t like the hard case that I already know they come with.
The Sage looked nice, but I don’t know enough about the ‘Launch’ series to make a decision.

:help:

[MikeT]

If you're going to buy a fly rod you ought to go shopping where the staff knows about fly rods. Kaufmann's Streamborn and River City Fly Shop both have rods in your price range, and Kaufmann's carries both the Sage and Winston entry level stuff. Prices are set by the mfg., so you shouldn't have to pay extra. Take your reel and line with you and try out a few of the 6-weights. Either the Sage or Winston should serve you well, but there are other good choices. Don at River City can probably show you quite a few choices in the sub-$250 range.

[bbaley]

Being a Scott guy I can't comment on the others mentioned here, but where I have numerous Scott $650 rods, I have been VERY happy with the TFO rods.

They are very good quality and performance for the price.
Very happy.

[nano83]

you can try craigslist. I bought a 4pc glx for less than $300... it's a sweet rod

[mkwerx]

I second the idea that you should look at a dedicated fly shop if you're going to spend that kind of coin. It's one thing if you're buying a Cortland or WW Grigg or another low-priced flyrod (I'm calling anything $120 or less "low priced" since some flyrods go for the mid-4-figure range easily, and that's not talking bamboo or exotic stuff.)

If you're going to spend $200 or more on a rod - you owe it to yourself to look at a flyshop run by flyfishermen. I've patronized both shops mentioned and the staff at both were helpful. River City had a bit better selection of the $100-200 rods than Kaufmann's had - but they're both well stocked shops. When I bought a rod & reel from River City, Don gave me a nice break on a line to go with it, and a smaller discount on the reel.

[cooky]

you can try craigslist. I bought a 4pc glx for less than $300... it's a sweet rod

True dat, buy a used or consignment rod. You can get a good deal on some sweet rods that have lifetime warranties. If you have the duckets get as good a one as you can as it is your most important piece of equipment. The further you can roll cast the more fish you will catch.... in many situations.

[leadeyedbugger]

Personal opinion here worth not a whole lot i suppose....

Like others said, go to fly shops and cast fly rods. Tell them your price limit then cast every fly rod they have under that limit and pick the one you like the best.
Personal favorite in that price range would be St. Croix Avid. TFO and Echo make some great rods for less then $200 that i would probably take over either of the rods you mentioned.....Do a little research, take the time to test a bunch out, its your hard earned money so buy the one thats best for you. As long as your above $120 or so for the rod i wouldn't pay any attention to the name on the rod, only how it feels to you.