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3. Glass rods

One thing nice about fly fishing for over 50 years is some of your old rods. I was looking through my equipment and found two old Shakespeare Wonderrods and a old Cortland glass Rod. Been a long tome since these rods got any action, might have to get them out this spring.

Sounds like fun.

Years ago I had a Kassnar glass rod I really liked. However a friend crushed it in the car door at 5am on opening morning one year. Oooooo... :(

Will-

does the Wonder-rod have an automatic reel with it? I fished my father in law's setup once or twice out of curiosity, it would take getting used to.

tight lines,

Roguerat

'less is more...'

Ludwig Mies Vande Rohe

No auto reel but remember them. I bought the Shakespeare Presidental Rod in 1966 and was my first nice Rod. Those glass rods were a lot different than graphite rods, they're a lot like fishing bamboo rods as far as the casting.

This reminded me of a story from years ago Paul:
John, a good friend of mine, took it upon himself to hire a guide/friend to fish the Roaring Fork; my first experience with a trout fishing guide. Very first thing he wanted to do was take a look at the rod I had and it didn’t pass his requirements. Instead he handed me a Sage he obviously used for clients so I accepted it and on we went. Toward the end of the day we were walking the rocky riverbank moving to a new spot when I took a dive. I displayed, what I thought, was a remarkable physical contortion saving his rod from any damage. As a matter of fact the rod never touched the ground. Before I had the chance to even get up he grabbed John’s rod from him, took his rod from me, and gave his rod to John.

Those old automatic reels had a spring inside wound tight and if you tried to take them apart the spring would let go. Lol they were impossible to put back together.

Hmmmm... that guide had his priorities I guess.

I tried casting my Grandfathers old glass rod a few years ago. The action is SO slow as compared to the Graphite rods! Not meant for much distance; however, short distances seems to require no effort and would be very easy on the shoulder after a long day of fishing IMHO.

Fishing glass and bamboo rods is like swinging a golf club. The less effort in your swing the further the ball goes. It's the same with those rods, a nice easy cast will send the fly further than if you try to power your fly rod. It usually takes me a few casts to get the feel. Setting the hook is different, with graphite a short jerk and your on, with glass and bamboo you have to set the hook.lol