I'm in the market for a 4+ pc fast 8 wt and would like to cast a number of candidates (Helix, XP, TCR, XP, Vector, Horizon, TFO, Winston???...) before buying one. What is my best strategy for finding and test casting all these rods. It used to be one could find a shop with all of them in stock, spend an afternoon there, walk out with a rod and a happy store clerk. Lately, it's almost unrealistic to find a store with all of the above in stock. In fact if you know one within 100 miles of the cape, I'd be glad and grateful to drive there and buy one.
Given the economy, I can understand stores' inability to have such inventory in stock. So what should my strategy be?
This spring I went through something similar with a Salmon river nymphing rod, finally saying dahellwidit and buying one from Cabelas. Given this is a bonefishing rod, I' like to be a bit more deliberate picking one.
Now Josko - why didn't you post this on Jeff's board? Afraid AA would rip you?
Now to the question:
If your looking off the Cape than I suggest making calls to Beare's Den, Rod Builder's Workshop & other board sponsors. RI/southern MA might have more shops per capita, reducing drive times...
Also, it might help to shorten your list a bit.
Good luck with the search.
Josko,
I know www.rodbuildersworkshop.com has T&T
Bearsden.com has the most rods I've ever seen in one spot.
Baymenoutfitters has the Scott. Rodbuilders and Baymen or about 15 minutes from each other. I don't know if they are carrying the models you seek so give 'em a ring.
Buy a cheapy or backup rod to hold you until the rod show season. At the shows you can do A-B comparisons of all major brands so when you do choose a rod you can be quite sure it's the right one for you.
Josko, Jackster 1's advice above is pretty good. If you do decide to get an inexpensive rod to tide you over take a look at the Echo 890-4X (9' 8wt). After you try it you may decide you do not need one of those other models. Take care, MJC
Knowing you the place you are going to use this tool is the stuff of dreams!
If early September is not too late you could pick up a cheap flight to Denver and cast every rod known to man in one place... at the Flyfishing Retailer Show at the Convention Center! 9-4 thru 9-6.
I think as JimW suggested maybe a "road trip" is in order?
My favorite bonefish rod is the 5-pc RPLXi 8wt. You're welcome to borrow mine for the trip, just say the word.
Will there be a Josko sighting at Boneclave this year?
Somehow, flying to Denver in order to buy a fly rod seems a little extreme. It seems the manufacturers really don't have a viable marketing plan for high-end rods at this point.
My guess is I'll pick up one of these TFO's and/or keep my eye on ebay for a Horozon. I already have 7 wt and 9 wt Horizons, so I'm set for the short term; maybe i should just buy an 8 wt Horizon and be done with it, but I'm finding them a bit soft.
As to the boneclave, I'll be hunting brookies in the headwaters of the Oswegatchie that week. If anybody's got first-hand info on the creeks and ponds above High Falls, I'd much appreciate any tips.
Josko, you might want to wait untill Sage introduces the RPLXi replacement. I haven't heard much about it, but I like the TCR and XP so much that I suspect that the new one will be awsome. I just got back from Belize and after a week of fishing for Permit, the TCR and XPs spent most of the time in my hand. They are about perfect.
I know that you are not asking for rod advice, but I can't help my self. but. The Helix is probably not what you are looking for. It is really pretty slow.
Also, while you are looking at fast rods, the Powell Tiburon is not to be passed up. This is a pretty special rod. I don't know where you could cast one of those.
The new Loomis Cross Currents are charged up as well.
I suspect that a good flyshop, with a good relationship with their reps, could get you any rod (from their brands) to cast.
Another thought would be to order all of them from different catalogs, online, local, whatever (PM me if you want suggestions), and cast them all at once. Spend the whole weekend. If you are careful and tidy, there is no reason that you couldn't return the ones that you didn't like. This sounds like the perfect solution. A little effort, but less than driving 200 miles.
After your exhaustive tests, let us know what you find.
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