What’s the difference between graphite and fiberglass fly rods?
Most fly rods, these days, are made of carbon fiber but a generation ago fiberglass was king. Today glass rods are making a strong resurgence, and with good reason. There are some benefits to fishing a fiberglass fly rod but how do you know if it’s the right tool for you?
In this video Tim Rajeff explains the different actions and the pluses and minuses to each. He tells you why he fishes mostly fiberglass rods and demonstrates a crazy feat of casting skill by casting a graphite rod and fiberglass rod together in one hand.
Watch this video to learn about graphite vs fiberglass fly rods from Tim Rajeff of Echo.
Louis Cahill Gink & Gasoline www.ginkandgasoline.com hookups@ginkandgasoline.com Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter!
Did you notice that his stroke is identical either left or right handed!
Tim Rajeff video are the best! He does such a great job explaining things! #glassisnotdead
I can’t even carry to rods out to the truck without getting them tangled.
I remember growing up in Penna, with no flies hatching, we fished 3 wet flies with 2 on droppers. Different patterns or sizes and it made searching for what worked at the time. With a fiberglass rod it made casting smooth and possible. Trying to cast three flies or even two with graphite difficult but not impossible. On a windy day, forget about it. And while we’re at, how about you manufacturers make some rods and blanks TWO piece? Four piece rods are a bitch.
I’ve heard that glass is also stronger and tougher. True?
that is true. Much stronger, due to the material being less brittle.
Thank you G&G good info!
Great video! Just got my first Echo Glass rod in the mail this week, can’t wait to get out and try it.
SPOT ON. Thanks Louis and Tim for an excellent video. #glassisnotdead
Awesome stuff! Tim got me thinking a bit about fighting and losing fish. I fished with a glass rod almost exclusively while growing up. I had to think really hard about the fish I hooked up on and lost. Not that many.
I still have that glass rod (and a few more) today – I often get the bug to fish them for the one reason Tim mentions – the “feel” I get. If you’ve never used one they’re damn fun.
I grew up with fiberglass and switched to graphite as we all did along the way. Last fall I was asked to help do a fly casting demo at an event. My father-in-law worked for Bronson Reel Company and I had a few fiberglass rods in the attic that he had given me back in the 60s. Rather than use my expensive graphite I took one of the fiberglass rods along. I was surprised to find that several of the beginning fly casters were actually able to cast better with the fiberglass. I fooled around a little and noticed what Tim Rajeff said that you could feel the cast better in the fiberglass rod. The beginner could feel the rod load on the backcast and time the forecast better. I’m not quite ready to recommend that new fly fishermen start with fiberglass rather than graphite, but it is something to think about and maybe study.
Excellent. Really helps to understand the dynamics of the two different materials! Thanks!