Last week a parcel arrived from Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters and Red Truck Fly Fishing which contained three prototype fiberglass fly rods that they had been evaluating and tweaking as possible additions to their fly rod line up and asked if I would jot down some notes of my opinions after casting them.
These are all six piece 7'6" four weight glass fly rods though they have a completely different feel to each of them.
Please don't get to hung up in the cosmetics of the prototypes since the only thing that might make it to final production is the cork grip shape which has a very comfortable feel in the hand and aids in the correct hand placement on the grip when casting.
This past weekend I was able to get out in the yard and flex each of the prototypes and can see that the fellows have done their homework. This is clearly a project that they didn't start working on yesterday since one of the prototypes is date stamped from early 2009. This idea has been on the turn table for awhile now and after speaking with Burke White , George Revel, and Ben Paull from Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters/Red Truck Fly Fishing I know that they are intent on making sure each model is as close to perfection as possible before they make these additions to their line ups.
After casting each of the prototypes and understanding the specific brand focus a little better, I am hoping that once these fly rods reach production that we'll see a six piece four weight Leland Fly Fishing Outtfitters model that might be on the quick side of fiberglass which would make this the perfect backpacking and travel fly rod. I would then suggest to slow the Red Truck Fly Fishing four weight model down just a bit to a more traditional medium action that would be familiar to fiberglass fly rod fans while being enjoyable and wonderful to fish at the same time.
More updates hopefully over the coming months of how these ideas are moving forward at Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters and Red Truck Fly Fishing. I am excited to see new companies giving fiberglass a second and third look.
These are all six piece 7'6" four weight glass fly rods though they have a completely different feel to each of them.
Please don't get to hung up in the cosmetics of the prototypes since the only thing that might make it to final production is the cork grip shape which has a very comfortable feel in the hand and aids in the correct hand placement on the grip when casting.
This past weekend I was able to get out in the yard and flex each of the prototypes and can see that the fellows have done their homework. This is clearly a project that they didn't start working on yesterday since one of the prototypes is date stamped from early 2009. This idea has been on the turn table for awhile now and after speaking with Burke White , George Revel, and Ben Paull from Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters/Red Truck Fly Fishing I know that they are intent on making sure each model is as close to perfection as possible before they make these additions to their line ups.
After casting each of the prototypes and understanding the specific brand focus a little better, I am hoping that once these fly rods reach production that we'll see a six piece four weight Leland Fly Fishing Outtfitters model that might be on the quick side of fiberglass which would make this the perfect backpacking and travel fly rod. I would then suggest to slow the Red Truck Fly Fishing four weight model down just a bit to a more traditional medium action that would be familiar to fiberglass fly rod fans while being enjoyable and wonderful to fish at the same time.
More updates hopefully over the coming months of how these ideas are moving forward at Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters and Red Truck Fly Fishing. I am excited to see new companies giving fiberglass a second and third look.
7 comments:
Who makes the blanks or, do they make their own...???
PT/TB
PT...I am not aware of the origin of the blanks but it's something that I am following up on for a later post.
You've really got the photography down- at the risk of insulting, do you do it yourself or are those images the company sends?
The one in the middle is sick. Leland is on top of it all... These blanks are sick!
Those really do look good for prototypes. I'm anxious to see the finished product.
I'm willing to bet they're Asian made, but it's turning into a global economy, we're not going to get a way from it. If they do come from Asia, the final say is in the quality control with Leland.
Yes, they do look nice and the trim level suggests quality. Along the same line, has anyone tried the new glass from Cabela's that's under $100?
Perfect! a 4wt even,, those are gonna be sweet!
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