Slow Flex Graphite Rods

I believe the Sage Circa was built to imitate slow fiberglass yet recover quickly with the konnectic technology employed in it. Very light, thin in construction, and deep flexing.

 
It sure seems that graphite rods became stiffer and stiffer over time. I have some older rods from Orvis (one of my favorites) and Winston (another of my favorites) and they did have a much slower action. Somewhere along the way somebody at the graphite rod companies decided that we need to cast through brick walls so they started making rods accordingly.
 
Interesting how history repeats itself. From Huck Finn sticks, to cane poles, to split bamboo, to fiberglass, to graphite. Anyone have a boron fly rod? Was a thing back in the late 70's early 80's. Talk about slow action! I've never been a rod whore, but still have every rod I've purchased over 50 yrs. I haven't broke out any glass rods that I own to cast since I could afford graphite. Looks like something to try again. I do love my Sage 389 LL Graphite III. I have a couple of fiberglass Fenwick's and an old Quick Finessa 6wt I know nothing about, but caught a lot of Kokanee with it, still fishn American Lake back in the early 80's. That's the one I'll try first. Fun fun fun! Thanks for bringing it up.
 
I made a 8’-4# from a blank bought from the long gone Anglers Workshop, down in Woodland. It’s an IM6 graphite blank. I’ve owned and built many rods, but it is by far my favorite rod. It got me on the path to using only moderate flex rods. My main rods are also only 2-piece. I hate fooling around with extra ferrules. Surprisingly, the Iconoglass rods from NFC feel a lot like my favorite. I just wish they had a better selection of 3 and 4# glass rods. The Rainshadow Unity blanks, their least expensive fly rod, are also a great feeling IM6 rod..

www.lurepartsonline.com

R7080 Batson Fly Rod Kit Unity 7' 6" 3wt. 2 pc.

Batson Premium Rod KitsTry one of our Batson Premium Rod Building kits. The guys at Batson have put together some of the most popular high quality rod blanks and components available. Select components specifically chosen to fit together, resulting in a top quality, easy to build rod. Kits...
www.lurepartsonline.com www.lurepartsonline.com
 
Last edited:
GAT said:
It sure seems that graphite rods became stiffer and stiffer over time. I have some older rods from Orvis (one of my favorites) and Winston (another of my favorites) and they did have a much slower action. Somewhere along the way somebody at the graphite rod companies decided that we need to cast through brick walls so they started making rods accordingly.
Click to expand...
IM6 rods were/are great. Blame it on Loomis who was the first to introduce stiffer rods ---> the IMX. It has been a race to stiffest broomstick ever since then...
 
I've got g loomis 10' 3wt IMX. Absolute buggy whip. Can easily handle bigger fish on 2lb test ultragreen. Flexes all the way to the cork. Not recommended for casting longer leaders in wind. Got it in the 90's.
 
Back in the 90's early 00's the St. Croix Imperial and Avid both had quite a bit of flex and bent deep into the blank. Both were nice casting rods. The green rod called the legend or elite, I can't remember the exact name, was the stiff one of the line up back then.
 
saying that all IM6 rods are great is like saying all glass rods have floppy tips. most, some, a few, several, etc....would be better descriptors. Just saying.
 
fatbillybob said:
That's what I instantly was thinking. Try and fine an old Winston. I've been fishing those for trout since new purchases in the 80's and just had a banner day on the Yuba with an old one.
Click to expand...

The old Winston IM6 rods varied a lot. Most of the 9’ trout rods were pretty soft. The 8’ rods were comparatively quick, not what I’d recommend for someone wanting a true moderate action

Jerry Siem worked for Winston and brought his rod design to Sage, and the same thing happened with the LL series. The 9’ rods were quite a bit softer than the 8’6” models.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RCF
SSPey said:
The old Winston IM6 rods varied a lot. Most of the 9’ trout rods were pretty soft. The 8’ rods were comparatively quick, not what I’d recommend for someone wanting a true moderate action

Jerry Siem worked for Winston and brought his rod design to Sage, and the same thing happened with the LL series. The 9’ rods were quite a bit softer than the 8’6” models.
Click to expand...
And the 8’9” were sublime !!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: RCF
@clarkman , @SSPey and @Porter2 all bring up very good points for sure. Part of the reason why we discuss our own experiences.

"Back in the day" IM6 was based on the fabric utilized and the epoxies available at the time. It provided information to the consumer more about the rod and 'action'. Now it is not related to material and epoxies but more of a marketing ploy.

Loomis rolled a lot of blanks for others to their specifications including Winston, L.L.Bean and Powell. Each were to their specifications and tapers. Each has their own 'feel'. I have fished all of them. I prefer Loomis with a very close second with Winston. The ability to feel the rod load and unload, the subtle pause of a nymph or streamer, the protection of the tippet, the ability to bring a fish to hand is why I luv Loomis. The sweet spot for Loomis rods is IMHO 5wt and 6wt in 9'. A 4wt in 8.5' and 7 wt. in 9'6" to 10' are wonderful too. Do they cast a 100'? Probably not. Not my style ---> especially by me...

My Loomis 9"- 5 wt. rods have brought to hand 24"+ catfish and 30" trout. Some large SMB and a few Carp. I do not fish for smaller fish whether perch, crappie nor dinkers although I have caught lots of them.

Find a rod that fits your style and skills/capabilities. Use it learn what it can do, what you want it to do, and what you want to enjoy.

Fish on...
 
Last edited:
Wetswinger said:
I made a 8’-4# from a blank bought from the long gone Anglers Workshop, down in Woodland.
Click to expand...

Did the same, popped in there after returning a broken Lami for exchange.

Look on the counter guys face was priceless when he asked me what I was after.

Said I'm looking for the cheapest 5 weight blank you have. He directed me to a blue Batson 4 PC blank in a mod action that actually turned out pretty good.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top