My wife wants to buy me a new rod for my 30th and I was just wondering if any retailers have the ability and space to allow you to have a few casts of different rods before you buy one? Last rod I bought was a few years ago and just went on a review in trout fisherman, its ok but probably wouldnt have bought it if I'd tried it first. I dont want her to spend a load of money if a rod doesnt suit me.

Anyone ever tried a rod at a shop?

I live in Leeds

Cheers

Lewins

Its a problem alright, everyone says try before you buy but unless you buy from a fishery how are you supposed to do this? Stockport Fly shop which is my nearest fly dealer allows you to try a rod in a field not far away but, not ideal but better than nothing, and sometimes it takes a while to get used to a rod so a 10 minute trial isnt ideal either,

Norris's are the same, hand over your credit card, then off to the nearest park for a flick about.
As said above not ideal, if you can, find a friend who has a rod you fancy and try to fish with it for at least an hour or so.
I have been very fortunate in having said friends, who have let me use theirs for a day or so, and I have known completely by the end of the day, or sooner in some cases, that a rod is for me or not.
It's an expensive mistake if you get it wrong.
S.

__________________
"A glint of sun has warmed the air,The flies will soon hatch out, To lure and tempt from their deep lair, The bonnie speckled trout." SKB tackle supporter. I love Furled Leaders.

Sportfish Winforton have a lengthy concerete casting pond, and a good selection of reels/lines to test the rods out.

Foxon's of St. Asaph are the best though. UK Game Fishing Specialists, Foxon's Tackle of North Wales
"Test & Try Out - All rods may be tried out prior to purchase on The River Elwy, immediately behind the shop."

__________________


Save the softmouth trout

Fly only which is near huddersfield are brilliant. You can try on there ponds at the back of the shop. Really nice people aswell.

John.

If you can arrange a "gift voucher" and can wait, then I would urge you to go to the Linsley Bros open day which they hold on the Wharfe at Bolton Abbey every April. There you can try as many different rods as you like actually on the river. Plus they give a good discount for purchases on the day. Oh, and I have no connection with Linsleys!

for us Londoners ,Hughie at O'Reilly s of Marylebone has space in the back yard ,and sometimes on the square behind the shop to try rods !

__________________
Andy Wren
Winter grayling taking a year off !
Claret not just a great dubbing colour!

No chance of whipping a Yuppies eye out then Andy in the process.
I must make a point of visiting Hugh's emporium next time I am in London, if the shop is as nice as the owner, I am sure I will be delighted.
S.

__________________
"A glint of sun has warmed the air,The flies will soon hatch out, To lure and tempt from their deep lair, The bonnie speckled trout." SKB tackle supporter. I love Furled Leaders.

You promoting your sportfish shares ephemerella?
However you are right, they will let you cast a sample of rod in their pond prior to purchase. Or try their shop at reading, has lake for casting.
Most tackle shops will let you try out top end rods on grass, if water aint available, if even for an hour or so, but this should at least let you know how rod performs in casting stroke.
If they dont allow then dont buy!
regards
bert

What rod you looking at. I have plenty of Vision rods, I might be able to help

__________________
Fish and visiting in laws stink after three days!!