[axle27]

OK, so I'm new to this whole thing. I've resisted fly fishing for a good, long while.

Now, I'm committed.

I just purchased a barely used 2-piece St. Croix Imperial, 9-foot, 5-wt, comes with the case. I don't plan to use this as my beginner rig, just something I can graduate to. I will add the necessities as I go along.

I also have a line on a bamboo rod (wrapped and cased in the aluminum tube) from my wife's family. In fact, there are two (2). I will see about getting one, if the weight is OK.

Sheesh, she's gonna kill me if she finds out about the St. Croix.

[BlueDun]

Welcome!

I'll bet we would have a funny thread if people listed the ways they sneak new fly fishing gear into the house.

[Frank Whiton]

Hi Axle,

Welcome to the forum. Let us know what Bamboo rod you get.

Frank

[axle27]

I will indeed do so. I've only seen it once.

My wife's grandfather was a consumate fisherman. Lived in Philly. When he passed, the entire family (myself included) went through some of his stuff. They got through about 10% and called it a day. This guy had no less than three fly tying outfits, hundreds of lures and flies, made his own weights. He gave fishing rods to all of the grandkids and great-grandkids. You get the idea. A true fisherman.

Anyways, while the gaggle of family went through some of his stuff, I happened to notice two "pipes" in the ceiling among the fishing rods (still over a hundred in the rafters of his basement) that did not go anywhere. Well, as no one was paying attention to me, I pulled one down and opened one end. Still wrapped in the cloth (green, if I remember), was a fly rod. I don't think it was ever used. I did know enough to realize that this was a bamboo rod and was probably 40 years old. I quickly re-wrapped it, placed it gingerly into the tube and replaced it. Now, some 10 years later, I'm looking to get my hands on one of those....if it's still there.

[BigCliff]

Man, fish the St. Croix. Its a perfect beginner rod, and should be covered under a unconditional lifetime warranty. Starting out with a cheap saw doesn't speed progress in carpentry.

The bamboo can be what you "graduate" to once your after a more traditionalist challenging approach.

Welcome to the sport.

[axle27]

Thanx for the input. I love my St. Croix Spinning rods.

I only though of getting the Hobbs Creek models to learn on for three reasons:

1- If it disappears somehow, I'm only out, what, $115 or so.
2- It comes with everything. Believe me, I will grill the guy at Bass Pro Shops well past done before I drop any cash.
3- When I'm more comfortable with some of the basics (casting, tackle, flies), I can put this away and hand it down to my son for him to learn on. That's what I did with my bass rods. Until he was proficient in casting an open-face and showed some ability to take care of the rod, he used my old set. THEN I got him his own.

[axle27]

So, I was in Philly this weekend for a wedding. I got to view some of my wife's grandfather's fishing equipment.

I managed to locate one of the bamboo rods, still in it's aluminum case where I placed it almost 8 years ago...(no, I didn't hide it, although the thought did occur to me at the time). Anyways, I was just dumb enough not to write everything down that the rod label stated. Although I do know it's a South Bend, 8'-6" and is rated for "D" or "UDU". It looks pretty serviceable. Don't know how much it's worth, nor do I really care. I just would like to have it so it does not disappear or get destroyed, as it probably will. Since I'm not a "blood" family member, my mother-in-law is asking all of her sisters and brothers if it's OK if I can have the rod. I'm sure it is, but family politics is what it is.

Aside from this, there was a series of PVC tubes on the other end of the basement that were labelled. One said simply "fly rod". I took it out and found a brand new Abu-Garcia, 9' long. Can't remember what it's rated at, though. It was never used. Still in the plastic wrapping with tags still attached. Didn't know Abu-Garcia made fly rods....

[FrankB2]

I have two 7'6" Imperial 4wts. Great rod!!! Just take your time with your
casting stroke, and let the line straighten in both directions. They are a
softer rod (not slow), but still like a relaxed casting stroke. They
were marketed as a beginner/intermediate rod, but those terms makes little
sense to me. I prefer good and bad when describing rods.

[Fly2Fish]

I think (hope) you'll find that your in-laws will realize that nothing would have pleased your wife's grandfather more than one of his descendents (in law) take an interest in and use those rods he loved so much.

[axle27]

If it was marketed as a beginner/intermediate rod, I'm glad I bought it. I'm debating whether or not just to outfit the St. Croix or get a combo I've been eyeing. I got a bit of time.