[GRN]

Originally Posted by sesro1978

Fair enough.

On a related (sort of) note; I've noticed that many manufacturer's have moved from 2-piece rods to 4-piece rods. Do 4-piece rods fish any differently? Is this a trend in manufacturing?

Short answer... don't fish much, if at all differently... and they are much easier to pack.

[adrian]

dear sesro,

give the Temple Fork rods a shot. i think that they are an incredible value. i have been and Orivs/ Winston/ Sage person for years (and own 8 of their rods) and picked up a 4 weight TFO Lefty professional series that i love.

i wouldn't buy anything but a 4 piece and i'm surprised that anyone still sells them. i guess that if you are really good (pro quality) you might feel a difference, i'm not and i don't.

[Frank Whiton]

Hi to all,

We still have 2 piece rods because they are cheaper to make. There are some design restraints with a 2 piece rod because the ferrule is at the mid point and you have to design with that in mind. The new ferrule designs are very good and have little effect on the rod action today. To my mind there is no reason to buy a 2 piece rod except for saving money.

Frank

[sesro1978]

Originally Posted by Frank Whiton

Hi to all,

We still have 2 piece rods because they are cheaper to make. There are some design restraints with a 2 piece rod because the ferrule is at the mid point and you have to design with that in mind. The new ferrule designs are very good and have little effect on the rod action today. To my mind there is no reason to buy a 2 piece rod except for saving money.

Frank

Thanks everyone for all the information you've provided today!

I've narrowed my choices down - two rods (I think) - The TFO Finesse 7'9" 5-wt. or the Diamondback Americana series 8' 5-wt.

Any thoughts on those 2?

Thanks!

[burk48237]

If your interested in the Finesse series then check out the Cortland Brook series. Fly Fish America, was very impressed (in their gear guide). They are all four piece, come with nickel silver appointments, wood real seats, lifetime warranty. Unlike the TFO they come with a rod / reel case included (a 25$ extra with the TFO). We only sell them to independent pro shops. They start with a 6'6" 3 weight and run to an 8'6" 5 weight. We spent a lot of time tweaking these actions and they are the real deal.

[burk48237]

Originally Posted by sesro1978

Thanks everyone for all the information you've provided today!

I've narrowed my choices down - two rods (I think) - The TFO Finesse 7'9" 5-wt. or the Diamondback Americana series 8' 5-wt.

Any thoughts on those 2?

Thanks!

I'm the rep for Diamondback, Cortland, in all sincerity the new Cortland rods are superior rods. Check out the Brook series instead as per my previous post.

[BigCliff]

That 7'9" 5wt TFO Finesse is a sweet stick. I was actually suprised at how punchy it was, but this is largely due to its length. It still qualifies as more of a medium action rod than a fast one, but don't expect something that feels anything like bamboo or fiberglass. Its wonderfully light too.

I'm actually waffling between that one and the St. Croix Avid 8' 5wt myself. The St. Croix is a little more $, but it includes the tube and the TFO doesn't. There's also the difference of American made versus Asian.

[GRN]

Originally Posted by burk48237

I'm the rep for Diamondback, Cortland, in all sincerity the new Cortland rods are superior rods.

Now Burk.... seriously, not that their not good rods, but what else would anyone expect you to say about them!

[FlyGal]

+1 - go with a short stick, 6 to 7.6 would do you just fine for your streams. A shorter rod helps keep your backcast shorter and bushwack the small streams better than 8-9ft'ers

[sesro1978]

Originally Posted by FlyGal

+1 - go with a short stick, 6 to 7.6 would do you just fine for your streams. A shorter rod helps keep your backcast shorter and bushwack the small streams better than 8-9ft'ers

Yea- I was leaning in that direction as I tend t wander into the woods when I come across a small inlet or stream.