So, its only valid for the original owner. A solid series of rods that keeps costs at a minimum, you can turn to the ERA whether youre chasing lighter gamefish like trout and bass or heavier hitters like steelhead, pike, and even striped bass. Probably the thing that I love the rod the most is its durability. With a gritty determination, St. Croix built the most advanced fishing rod facility in the world and with it, a world-class brand that has earned the respect and admiration of anglers around the planet. If this is your entry-level fly rod, or if you plan to use one as a backup stick, the ERA is a solid fishing rod that can handle it all. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Douglas Sky Fly Rod Series at the best online prices at eBay! The Foundation is one of the best efforts Ive seen Sage make at building a truly fantastic entry-level rod. You spend more than 20 days a year on the river and have your cast and double haul cast dialed in. The douglas rods are designed here in the US but manufactured in Korea. This fighting butt helps to anchor the rod when fighting a fish and keeps the reel away from your body as the fish makes a run. And just because this rod was made with affordability in mind, doesnt mean that its componentry is compromisedDouglas hooks this series of rods up with solid components like a carbon fiber reel insert and dual dura-resin construction. The Sky G is a series of rods built for almost every fishing scenario youll come across. Return to "Appraisals & Identification of Bamboo Fly Rods". Ive personally fished with each of these rods, and our team of professional guides uses and recommends each of these rods. Now, lets answer a few of the more popular questions Im often asked about picking new fly rods. With over 37 years of expertise, Razr Rodz are Designed and Handcrafted in the USA. Rod: 9-foot, 5-weight Douglas Sky G Test areas: Gauteng bass lakes, Vaal River (including Lower Vaal) and tributaries, trout ponds around Bronkhorstspruit and Delmas Species caught: Carp, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, golden trout, smallmouth yellowfish, largemouth yellowfish. Undo the reel (while keeping it rigged up) and rinse it off, Turn the reel locking screws back and rinse it off, Re-insert the reel and tighten the locking screws, Polish the blank and ferrules with some furniture polish, Lightly coat the reel seat and line guides with a thin coat of general-purpose lubricant. Throughout that time, I reckon Ive fished north of 100 different fly rods. The fly rods are designed in upstate New York but the manufacturing factory is located in South Korea. Chartreuse is a favorite color for warm-water predatory fish. As of 2022, Douglas maintains a strong lineup of seven core fly rods spanning more than seventy different models. Here is a list of fly rod weights and the species of fish each weight is good for: 3-5 weight: trout, panfish 6-7 weight: bass, walleye 8 weight: pike, muskie 9 weight: salmon, steelhead 10 weight+: stripers, tuna. The Zephrus is also available in a 4wt rendition; however, I didnt have the opportunity to fish with it, so I cannot comment on its performance. Find him on Twitter/Instagram, @Spencer_Durrant. Pick up a Winston, and youll be holding a rod with a flawless finish, precisely aligned guides, a perfectly formed grip, and a reel seat made from the finest components. This fly rod has handled catching 20-plus inch trout on 6x tippet, and then turns around and horses in a seven-pound sockeye salmon. Douglas gets another entry in the mid-priced fly rod market with their incredible Upstream rod. They are nowhere to be found in Scandinavia as far as I know. To hold up Douglas commitment to every rod they make, they put each stick through a careful and meticulous design process that takes every part of the fishing equation into account. Douglas, a new rod & tackle manufacturer based out of Phoenix, NY. The 9ft 5 weight would be my first choice. G Loomis rods have always, at least in my opinion, been very durable. This is a variation of a fly tied by Jim Misiura. Lately, weve seen these issues addressed by most of the big rod makers. As mentioned earlier, salt water is incredibly corrosive. Lamiglas. This fly rod is built for dry fly fishing on tiny water, and it does that exceptionally well. The Sky G is a fantastic rod. Production: Number of rods made not available. For example, the 86 4wt will fish completely differently from the 9 6wt. What makes the Sky G stand out, though, is what the late Tom Morgan once told me all fly rods should do. It feels indestructible, and Id be surprised if I ever break any of the H3 rods I own. The handle of the DXF is made with high-quality cork and features a reversed half wells grip. Since the beginning WETFLY has aspired to become a well-respected fly fishing brand that delivers high quality affordable products. It can be tied in sizes 10 - 20. Dennis was kind enough to send one to use for a Trout Unlimited carp tournament several years back, and I really fell in love with it. As far as the fly gear goes, most of it is in the mid-priced range, with rods ranging in price from $175 to $359 and reels from $250 to $450. Douglas didnt miss the memo, because the Sky G is both incredibly accurate, yet delivers flies with a subtle grace thats often lacking in quicker sticks. The more time spent on the water the more the passion and knowledge grew to inspire something greater. Intro: Chad Shmukler. For those of you who go on long fly fishing trips, this is particularly nice because you wont be exhausted by the end of your time on the water. High-quality components like AAA-grade cork and SIC hard chrome guides also add convenience and longstanding durability. The DXF rods of which Ive fished the 86 4wt, 95wt, and 11 3wt impressed me with their attention to detail, especially given their price tag. That means you can fish this rod all day long and not end up with tired, sore shoulders. After each day on the water, it is essential to thoroughly rinse the most vulnerable parts of the rod with fresh water. The Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod is yet another example of why so many anglers decide to fish Orvis. Its also the rod with the lowest swing weight ever recorded in George Andersons Yellowstone Angler 5-weight Shootout. Theres a difference between a good fishing rod and a bad one, and the Classic Trout is tons of fun to fish. Its not a precision dry-fly tool like their Upstream Plus series, but for a do-it-all 5wt, the DXF does a decent job. Sign up for our Newsletter, a monthly dose of new ideas and exclusive deals on great gear, sent directly to your inbox. They want to conserve the lifestyle of fly fishing and pass it on to other generations. Its why they guarantee every Thomas & Thomas fly rod to be 100% American Made. The blanks are rolled in Korea and quality is on par with other mid-priced rods, even some that produce their blanks domestically. As far as the fly gear goes, most of it is in the mid-priced range, with rods ranging in price from $175 to $359 and reels from $250 to $450. So when the Douglas DXF came up for review I was excited to write about it as I had heard and read a lot about it on various platforms. Custom-made rods are available for sale. In short, 5-weight fly rods are widely considered to be the best all-around choice for anglers; and for good reason. They also believe in America, and in American craftsmanship, innovation and quality. * The Barclay family , which owns and operates the stretch, has received tentative approval for a new, 60-space parking lot on the south side of the river off Route 13. They want to Make Fly Fishing Easy. Thought of and made by fly fishermen for fishermen their products come with high quality and regard. This high line speed deals with wind and large flies better. Smallmouth bass is incredibly fun to catch. One of my favorite two-handers is the Hardy Zephrus. Absolutely. And whether youre looking for a saltwater-ready rod or something for freshwater, a single-handed rod or a double-handed rod, Douglas has a rod that fits the bill. We use two materials for construction. A better net was needed that could eliminate mesh by using a fish-friendly rubber net. Performance at 35 feet: 18.5 points out of 20 The heavy swing weight hurt both feel and accuracy in close. So, well use a saltwater environment as an example. At $349, the DXF is a steal of a deal. Ive fished it in a variety of situations, from small streams to big rivers and lakes. The rod is considered moderate to fast and with high-modulus blanks and XMatrix carbon technology delivery a beautifully light rod blank that has an increased sensitivity to detect even the tiniest nibbles. Could be a rare Winchester "Wandrod" or a $2 barrel from Joe's hardware store. Youll also cast giant flies such as frogs, mice, and baitfish imitations. Redington Butter Stick fly rods a made with Redington's Heritage Taper and T-Glass construction for a combination of slow action glass feel, strength and durability. Amazon. This is a fast-action fly rod that generates a high line speed and does it all with almost no swing weight present. Need to swing flies for steelwell, you get where this is going. For years, until Orvis came out with their newly-designed Clearwater, the rod that I told all new anglers to fish was the Fenwick Aetos. Individually flex-tested before assembly, the Hammer Fishing Casting Rods are built by anglers for anglers with an extreme focus on power, sensitivity, and performance. But if you are going to fish in larger rivers and lakes, then we recommend a rod longer than 9 feet. All Guide Series rods are designed here in Oregon by the great folks at Beulah and are made in South Korea. The Sage Foundation Outfit includes the following: Bamboo has taken the backseat as a rod building material after the introduction of fiberglass and carbon fiber. Lets take a more detailed look. Before we get stuck into what this rod is about, I know that some of you are thinking: But the IMX Pro hasnt won any awards as the best 6wt rod?. See our post here if youre looking for some cheap flies. So, what makes it that great? 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