Sweetgrass Fiberglass Rods

Just prior to the trip out to Colorado this past August, Sam Drukman sent along one of the newly designed fiberglass builds from Sweetgrass Rods. One of the gems in Sam's mind is their 8'3" four piece six weight. The rod is beautifully appointed and certainly has a lot of power for a six weight. This fly rod can do work.

The Gunnison River and East River were great places to give this rod a flex. Big water with the possibility of large fish.

The Sweetgrass rod balanced nicely with a 3 1/2 inch J.W. Young Beaudex from my collection.

This rod is both form and function. A quality build that can perform.

The best fish on this rod during the trip was a kokanee salmon from the Roaring Judy section of the East River.

My thoughts, which were confirmed after speaking with Sam Drukman, is that this rod is really quite capable of handling anything that you'd expect a six weight to do. The rod also takes a seven weight line nicely as well. This is a big fly/big fish rod that would be well suited for big dry flies like fishing hexagenia in the dark, heavy nymph rigs, and stripping streamers. The rod is smooth casting and a delight to fish.

Sam Drukman sent along an email which broke down the entire Sweetgrass Rods fiberglass line up which includes these blanks:

7'3" - Three Weight
7'6" - Three Weight
7'6" - Four Weight
7'9" - Four Weight
8'3" - Six Weight

All of the above are currently available in a two piece configuration. Delivery is about 6-8 weeks from date of order. I will take orders for any of these models in a four piece configuration as well, but will not promise delivery until early 2010.

Prices for the two piece builds are $795.00 and $845.00 for a four piece build.

All rods are available with uplocking or downlocking nickel silver reel seats with a variety of hand finished hardwood spacers. (I recommend cigar grips on the 3 and 4-weight models and half-wells on the 6-weight.) All rods are outfitted with black nickel plated snake guides and an agate stripper guide which are the same guides that are used on the Sweetgrass Rods bamboo.

I will be adding a number of models which should be available starting early 2010. These will include a couple of five weights as well as a steelhead model or two.

I spoke with Sam Drukman a couple weeks ago and he was saying that the 7'9" four weight really has a nice feel to it and might be worth considering if anyone has been looking for a very special rod to add to your collection.

Sam Drukman can be contacted at Sweetgrass Rods by email, samdruk@yahoo.com, or at the shop by calling (406) 684-5440.