Blue Sapphire

[Rip Tide]

Yesterday I bought a new/old stock Cortland Blue Sapphire 9', 4/5, IM6, spigot ferrule
Never used, plastic still wrapped on the rod tube and grip
Apparently it was Cortland's final attempt at the high end rod market (at the time). Made by Diamondback, but discontinued in 1998
(which would make it my "newest" factory rod )

I remember from old magazine ads that there were 3 in the series, the Brown Topaz, the Blue Sapphire, and the Black Diamond, but that's all I recall.

Any insight ?

 

[dean_mt]

Man, that rod was almost made this century! I hope this doesn't sully your reputation with your fishing partners.

 

[Ard]

I remember seeing ads for the rods about 20 years ago but don't know anything about them other than they were neat looking.

 

[bigjim5589]

Rip, very cool! I too remember seeing the ads, but don't know anything about them.

I have an older Diamondback. Perhaps we can both post pics of the rods & compare!

 

[Rip Tide]

Here's the ad from Fly Fisherman magazine, March 1995

 

[sweetandsalt]

I have several Diamondbacks built in VT, pre-Cortland ownership and am a fan of their qualities...the Stu Apte series were particular favorites. I am not familiar though with these Cortland versions but, if made in their original facility, would have to be fine rods. Burk would know the details about all this.

Cortland sold all the Diamondback machinery to Mike McFarland, now in a partnership called "Seele Fly Rods", a find custom glass and graphite shop. And, more recently, Cortland sold the Diamondback brand name to Nate Dablock, a former employee who now designs and produces a new generation of Diamondback rods. I briefly visited with but did not cast a Diamondback at Somerset. Visit their web site and you may be surprised by some of the unusual concepts he is devising.

Homepage | Diamondback Rod Company

 

[itchmesir]

That Clout rod grip looks beyond ridiculous... 30 years from now it'll be one of those things we look back at and go "wtf"... Much like square fiberglass rods or steel fly rods

 

[fredaevans]

Interesting to google the rod manufacturer (I'd never consider buying a rod with a handle that looked like that) but would appear I may not be alone. A grand total of two dealers, both in New York.

 

[sweetandsalt]

New Diamondback has rods without their segmented grip too:

I am not too quick to judge a one year old rod company based on their perception of innovation...new ideas, even those that don't work, are always worth considering.

 

[itchmesir]

Diamondback made some great rods back in the day and hope that's the case today. I've heard good things about their old Diamondglass series.

 

[sweetandsalt]

On a late May, Full Moon, DIY Islamorada tarpon trip with two buddies, we hooked dozens of tarpon. We also broke like six rods between us. At the end of the week two rods that had seen the same two fish on at a time in the middle of the night abuse remained unscathed; my friend's #12 Sage Xi2 and my Diamondback. The UPS truck rolled into our rented cottage driveway almost daily fulfilling warranty replacements from two different Korean sourced rod companies.

 

[fredaevans]

Diamondback made some great rods back in the day and hope that's the case today. I've heard good things about their old Diamondglass series.

These glass line of rods was like 'stepping back in the day;' lots of fond memories of my first .... until I broke the thing. Well it actually shattered just above the cork. Worse yet the fellow who owned the rod was standing right next to me.:faint:

Warr-worked!

 

[sweetandsalt]

This diamond braid visible in a number of Diamondback models, Classics here, had no function, just cosmetic...but cool looking anyway. Even my 2 pc. Saltwater 9'/#9, fast action beach rod features this "Power Braid" pattern...really big guides too.

 

[cab]

Ah, yes, Diamondback. THE rod was/is a Diamondback Aeroflex 905-3. Paid a fortune for it back then, a mid price nowadays. Fished the heck outta that rod for 12 years, still got it.

CAB