$ burning a hole in my pocket

Salmo_g said:
Roper,

Forgive my slipping memory, but someone at the cane clave in Redmond this past June builds a few rods and has an 8' 5 wt for sale. It's a hollow built from a taper of a well known old rod maker, whose name I also can't remember at the moment. The upshot is that the rod is beautiful, casts like a dream, and he's only asking $300 or so for it. Only reason I didn't buy it is because I couldn't justify to myself another 5 wt. Others on here no doubt know who I'm talking about, if he doesn't read this himself. I can tell you that this rod is everything your dad's Herters rod isn't. Help Roper out you guys who were there. Roper deserves to meet this rod.
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That was probably my 8' rod wrapped by Dick Hedges of Mill Creek. The blank is a 2 piece Payne 102 clone and is a kissing cousin to my favorite Payne 201 (a 3 piece). The two rods are very similar to cast. The Hedges is a great looking rod but is not wrapped to look like a Payne. I currently have it at a condo down in Sunriver OR as a spare rod. I could bring it back up here by mid October if interested to try it. The $300 price is $100 less than I paid Dick Hedges but now that I have the Payne 201 clone I no longer need it. Its probably as good a casting and fishing rod as you'll find in that price range but it has no collectibility if that's of any concern. Ron
 
@Dryflyphotography said:
That was probably my 8' rod wrapped by Dick Hedges of Mill Creek. The blank is a 2 piece Payne 102 clone and is a kissing cousin to my favorite Payne 201 (a 3 piece). The two rods are very similar to cast. The Hedges is a great looking rod but is not wrapped to look like a Payne. I currently have it at a condo down in Sunriver OR as a spare rod. I could bring it back up here by mid October if interested to try it. The $300 price is $100 less than I paid Dick Hedges but now that I have the Payne 201 clone I no longer need it. Its probably as good a casting and fishing rod as you'll find in that price range but it has no collectibility if that's of any concern. Ron
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Shit, I’d pay $300 to cast some grass :)
 
@Dryflyphotography said:
That was probably my 8' rod wrapped by Dick Hedges of Mill Creek. The blank is a 2 piece Payne 102 clone and is a kissing cousin to my favorite Payne 201 (a 3 piece).
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Thanks for chiming in Ron. Yes, that was the rod! That was as fine a casting 5 wt as any I have ever handled. So when Roper posted his question, that rod came immediately to mind. If Roper is seriously considering good bamboo at a comfortable price point, he could do no better than to try out that Payne 102 clone, collectibility notwithstanding.
 
The two finest fly rods that I've ever cast are the Payne 102 (a doctor brought one to our castaround a couple years ago) and the Winston 9' 4 and 7/8's (which I own). The Phillipson 9' 5 and 5/8's is a close third.
 
If Roper wants to try my similar casting Payne 201 which I do have here at home now he would be most welcome to. I'd say its almost exactly the same casting as my Dick Hedges Payne 102 clone but the 102 might be just very slightly fuller flexing, probably due to the single ferrule rather than the two ferrules in the 201. Many would prefer the 102 over the 201 but I like how I basically counterfeited my 201 to look pretty much like a real Payne. Now if I could only figure out how to do that with green paper we use to buy stuff... :cool:
 
I know you are looking bamboo, however a Steffen glass rod is an absolute joy to fish. Just had mine out today and I enjoy it so much, thought I'd just throw the thought in.
 

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Tom Butler said:
I know you are looking bamboo, however a Steffen glass rod is an absolute joy to fish. Just had mine out today and I enjoy it so much, thought I'd just throw the thought in.
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I tried a little photography for Shane Grey and received an 8' 3/4 Steffen blank and a 2-3/4" Iwana wide spool as compensation. I've got that Steffen build started but need another couple weeks off/on work to complete it. So sometime this coming winter I should have it ready to try. I honestly have no idea how it casts yet, I've only given it the wiggle test, but I'm expecting a medium/fast 4 wt light as can be. It might make its way into my fishing lineup, but if it doesn't displace my bamboo rods I may be looking for someone who'd be interested. We'll see what happens, Tom is sounds like I may have a hard time giving it up! Ron
 
@Dryflyphotography said:
I tried a little photography for Shane Grey and received an 8' 3/4 Steffen blank and a 2-3/4" Iwana wide spool as compensation. I've got that Steffen build started but need another couple weeks off/on work to complete it. So sometime this coming winter I should have it ready to try. I honestly have no idea how it casts yet, I've only given it the wiggle test, but I'm expecting a medium/fast 4 wt light as can be. It might make its way into my fishing lineup, but if it doesn't displace my bamboo rods I may be looking for someone who'd be interested. We'll see what happens, Tom is sounds like I may have a hard time giving it up! Ron
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Sounds like a great project. I know several here like the Steffen also. I like my 5/6 with a 1/2 size heavy 5, and I I would call it med-fast for glass. Fish on bamboo feel like nothing else, but the Steffen is so easy to cast and fish. Lighter than my similar 8' 5-6wt bamboo rods.
 
@Dryflyphotography said:
I tried a little photography for Shane Grey and received an 8' 3/4 Steffen blank and a 2-3/4" Iwana wide spool as compensation. I've got that Steffen build started but need another couple weeks off/on work to complete it. So sometime this coming winter I should have it ready to try. I honestly have no idea how it casts yet, I've only given it the wiggle test, but I'm expecting a medium/fast 4 wt light as can be. It might make its way into my fishing lineup, but if it doesn't displace my bamboo rods I may be looking for someone who'd be interested. We'll see what happens, Tom is sounds like I may have a hard time giving it up! Ron
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You're not only gonna have a tough time giving it up, you're NEVER gonna give it up. I may be biased though. My old beat up 5/6 (I like it with a standard 6) that I bought from Mark ~17 years ago is one of the few rods I own that you're gonna have to pry out of my cold, dead hands....

I liked that so much that a few years later I ordered an 8'6" 7/8 for steelhead, carp, smallies, etc from Mark. I just recently got Shane to roll me the first 7'9" 10/11 (more of an honest 12) for the first go with Shane rolling Steffen blanks on Steffen mandrels. I couldn't be happier.

Bottom line, you're gonna have lots of fun with that.

Personally, I've always preferred the higher number on any Steffen I've thrown.
 
RCF said:
I have not figured out to get humor/sarcasm across yet. Yes it was tongue in cheek...
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You’re not alone @RCF , as I do this all too often as well. I find it’s really easy to be misinterpreted on the big wide web.

@Roper , most of my bamboo is vintage, but I have a couple by modern makers too. You’re welcome to try any of them.
 
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What Dave W. sez. I have a modest collection of Boo and I continually find myself grabbing the W&M Granger 8642 rods more than any of the others. I think they are some of the best casting rods ever made. And not too costly, either. BTW, I'm a 1911 guy, also, and own several. My outdoors favorite is a Colt Lightweight Commander 45acp.
 
Cliff said:
What Dave W. sez. I have a modest collection of Boo and I continually find myself grabbing the W&M Granger 8642 rods more than any of the others. I think they are some of the best casting rods ever made. And not too costly, either. BTW, I'm a 1911 guy, also, and own several. My outdoors favorite is a Colt Lightweight Commander 45acp.
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Cliff, my favorite is my Father’s Kimber Stainless. It rocks…But my new SA EMP4 is a great EDC.
 
Well, Ron brought over a 8’ 5wt 2/2 rod for me to consider. It’s a great looking rod and even I could cast well with it. I didn’t have to think long about it, a few C notes later and I now have a very nice rod. I’ll fit in better at the bamboo fling in the spring. Now maybe a reel other than my Ross Reels…

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Roper said:
Well, Ron brought over a 8’ 5wt 2/2 rod for me to consider. It’s a great looking rod and even I could cast well with it. I didn’t have to think long about it, a few C notes later and I now have a very nice rod. I’ll fit in better at the bamboo fling in the spring. Now maybe a reel other than my Ross Reels…

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Very nice!
Hope you get a chance to get out to your place to give it a try on some of those lakes before they freeze up.
 
Roper said:
Well, Ron brought over a 8’ 5wt 2/2 rod for me to consider. It’s a great looking rod and even I could cast well with it. I didn’t have to think long about it, a few C notes later and I now have a very nice rod. I’ll fit in better at the bamboo fling in the spring. Now maybe a reel other than my Ross Reels…

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I wish every reel seat looked like that.
 
Roper let's meet up and you can cast the ones I have.. or borrow one or two for a bit!

I started with a Headwaters.. a Chinese made blank.. 300ish on sale when I got it .

I rebuilt a wall hanger and then bought one off of our group here.

If i could swing it I would buy a Bob Clay bamboo spey or Sweetwater rod (former Winston shop) or an old Orvis one.

Glass is difficult and fun.. a Tom Morgan if $$ is no object.. many others..

Anyway cast or borrow mine..you're welcome to anytime
 
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