Has any one tried one of the new series of fibreglass rods made by Hardys?
If so whats the verdict? 10% carbon i believe.

Steve

Hi,

I´ve had the 7 foot 3 weight for a season now and used it quite a lot last year on a smallish stream.

Finish and presentation is great, although the whole cork stopper, rod bag for the rod tube thing is probably a bit OTT...

The reel fitting is very tight, even with Hardy´s own reels, reckon you might struggle to get other reels on.

Two sections means a longish rod tube for packing.

The 7 footer is fairly light in the hand, but slightly heavier than carbon and the blank is thicker. Takes knocks well and is sturdy.

Action is soft. It bends to the butt with a half decent fish but I´ve landed some nice ones on it too (the fish in my avatar was landed on it). Not one for heavy nymphs or setting the hook at longer distances. I think it´s perfect for dry flies or duo at close range but it´s not an all-rounder. If it´s short range dry fly I take my Hardy, if I´m going to be trying different things, or it´s very windy I take my TXL.

I like mine a lot as long as you accept its limitations. Personally I wouldn´t be interested in one of the longer lengths as I´m sure the weight and softness would become a disadvantage. I think you´d be better off with more of an all rounder in the longer lengths.

Overall, a fun niche rod, but if you´re after an all-rounder I´d personally look at something else.

Damian F

Hi Damian,thanks for the information,it was the 7ft rod that that interested me so nice to get some feedback.
Most of my fishing is on small rivers and streams where roll casts and short distance fishing is the order of the day.
I like the type of reel seat they use,but would have to try my reels on before parting with any cash!
Guess the tube in a bag thing is a bit much,but like most things Hardy may become collectable in the future.
Going to the Newark fly fishing show in a couple of weeks so hopefully can have a look at one there.

Steve

I have 5' #2. To be honest I am not that impressed. I am going to give it another go and try to modify my cast. These are not fast recovering rods ........ give one a wiggle and you will see instead of bending they sort of wobble.

Maybe it is the 5', but I can't get any accuracy or finesse from this rod. However as I have probably said a thousand times on here by far and a way the best small stream rod for me is the original Orvis Superfine, I bought on here a 6'6" #2 and I'll reach for this over any other rod I have.

One thing I would say is that the quality of the packaging is wonderful and I love all the little ritual of unpacking the thing. However if I was choosing again I would go for the light weight range myself having test cast those.

__________________
Carl

http://www.wandlepiscators.net/
http://teiseangling.co.uk/index.htm

TOMORROW THE TRENT COULD BE YOUR FISHERY! When are YOU going to JOIN THE ANGLING TRUST?

I have the 5ft 2wt Hardy Aln and I think it's fantastic. Like most things in life different things suit different people, but I find my casting accuracy is far superior with this rod than the other carbon rods I have. I must admit it felt like a toy when I first put it together but after a couple of casts I'd fell in love with it and it seemed to make everything so much easier and more enjoyable. It is a soft rod but that seems to suit me and even a little tiddler is good fun on this rod.

I don't know how the longer rods would feel but going from this little 5footer I'd definitely consider looking at them. I can even get out a canny long like on it which I was most surprised at!!

Gary

I am glad you said that. It makes me determind to keep working with it. On the really over grown wild sections I need this rod to work.

I use a Sage quite taper ............. however the Pirate is going to bring out a specific small line range and I am a very very lucky boy he has given me one to trial. I'll do a report as soon as I can get it wet.

__________________
Carl

http://www.wandlepiscators.net/
http://teiseangling.co.uk/index.htm

TOMORROW THE TRENT COULD BE YOUR FISHERY! When are YOU going to JOIN THE ANGLING TRUST?

Some thoughts from glass fans:

New HARDY GLASS RODS - Fishing with Fiberglass Fly Rods - Active Discussions - fiberglassflyrodders - Message Board Yuku

Hardy Glass - Fishing with Fiberglass Fly Rods - Active Discussions - fiberglassflyrodders - Message Board Yuku

Hardy introducing glass fly rods - Glass Tech - Active Discussions - fiberglassflyrodders - Message Board Yuku [post #95 for the 8'#5]



I have a dozen glass rods from 50 years old to rolled last month, #3/4-#9/10, 5'9" - 9'3". I have an old hardy (love it) but not one of the new ones.

They're all in use and fun to fish but a very different casting style - you really have to get languid and pay much more attention to good timing and adjusting to the pace of the rod to get real distance.

Don't seem to like snap stops and pushy casting strokes that you need to get the best from graphite, nor aggressive WF tapers (try a DT sylk). Most graphite users who have never fished glass will wiggle one and just not 'get' the appeal. But when you hit the sweet spot and they seem to suck up line and cast themselves effortlessly, and they are far better fo playing fish and protecting light tippets (IMHO).

I also use graphite regularly it takes a little time to adjust between the two, especially at first. And i also find very short rods (<6'6) harder to cast well, whatever they're made of.

FWFW I prefer glass to graphite for short-med river work with lighter flies, and also fishing streamers and for carp.

Some great links there Taniwha,the Americans really seem to know a thing or two about glass rods.
I like the sound of the Test 7ft 6in or the 7ft Stream.

Steve

Short distance accurate casting?

You can't beat split cane.

Get yourself a kit and make yourself a split cane rod as I did. It roll casts beautifully.