Martin Fly Rods

[Navigator]

Was looking at these. They are on IM6 blanks and looked good with respect to finish and craftmanship. Inexpensive (made in China). Anyone bite on these. Looks to me to be a quality, affordable rod.

Also, I am thinking of going for a 9'6" rod to increase roll cast and mending ability (steelhead). Is a longer rod hard to adjust to (besides the car doors .....).

[Grantspastor]

Navigator...I don't have any experience with the Martin rods, but I can tell you that "made in China" does not mean poor quality. I have a brother that sells hardwood in China (and all over the world). He says that the quality of furniture that they are producing in the factories he has visited is superb. As far as the 9' 6" length, I'd say (in my opinion) it could produce fatigue after a long day of casting. I have a 10' 8 wt that I have just given up on because it wears me out. I much prefer one of the shorter rods that I have.
If you want mega roll casting and mending you might consider a two-handed spey rod. I don't use one because I usually fish from my drift boat...but there are plenty of people out there who like them.

[Blake]

For steelhead, 9'6" and longer is the norm.

[Luselinez]

I can't really speak for the Martin, but I've got a Reddington Wayfarer 4wt (made in China) that I'm really enjoying. For $195, I think the wayfarer's are a bargain, including a lifetime warranty.

Kurt

[float2ber]

You might want to check out St. Croix or the Sage DS2. Both are excellent quality for the money and both have warranties. The Sage is lifetime. Not sure about the St. Croix.

[Catch 22]

St. Croix carries a Limited Lifetime Warrantee on all their fly rods. SCIII (Avid) or better would be my recommendation if you have the budget.

[santiamflyguy]

my experience with martin products was not a positive one. admittedly it was maybe ten years ago and it was a budget rod/reel combo. the rod was like a wet noodle and the aluminum reel BENT so severely it became stuck. it probably got banged on a rock or something but definitely not enough to do a normal reel damage.

the st. croix rods are wonderful, made in the USA, and have a lifetime warranty. if you're looking to go cheap, i'd suggest a Pro Graphite model. they have a 9'6" 8wt for just over $100 which is a very nice beginning steelhead rod.

if you'll be fishing smaller streams they have a nice 9' 6wt in the same Pro Graphite series for $100, i think.

if you're overly concerned about cosmetics, step up to their Imperials; built on the same blanks, they have slightly nicer reelseats, guides, etc. for about $150 apiece.

[santiamflyguy]

if you had the budget to get an Avid ($175-200ish), I'd definitely suggest you step up to a Legend Ultra-- they're much nicer rods for about $250-275 a pop. I have a 9'9" 6wt that is an incredible dry-line steelhead rod. The 7wt would be more all-purpose though.

the redington crosswater rods ($60ish) use cheap components but are built on the same blanks as their more expensive RS2 series; they might be a good low budget alternative although they don't have the warranty a St. Croix would have.

[ 05-11-2003, 10:36 PM: Message edited by: santiamflyguy ]

[Navigator]

Thanks everyone. The Martin rod I looked at was $65 and I did like the action - good backbone and fairly fast action. Not limp or noodly.

At present, I throw a 9' Fenwick 8 weight glass rod that my college roomate built for me over 25 years ago (so, I know noodly). While I did land a half pounder on it decades ago, it is still pretty much looking for its first big steelhead. Ironically, I have caught most of my steelhead on my 6 and 7 weight trout rods (by choice - just easier to fish with).

Anyway, I think I will wait and stick by my Fenwick. It is not the reason why I am not hooking up. That simply is due to not getting out enough. Tight lines.

PS -- It is easy to see the advantages of a spey rod on big water like the Deschutes. I am just not ready to go there.