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Friday's Fiberglass Fly Rod Gossip (And Real News Too)

By Tom Chandler 3/18/2010

The Undergrounders know of my love for low modulus fly rods - namely bamboo and fiberglass.

Of the two, fiberglass is far more accessible; it's light, affordable, tough, and requires about as much maintenance as your average doorstop.

That's why news in the fiberglass fly rod industry piques our interest (nay it excites us).

First, the Juicy Rumor


An Alert Anonymous Undergrounder tells us Cortland *will* return selected Diamondglass rods to production, courtesy not their overseas plants, but a USA-based builder.

Regulars will know of my love for the 8.5' Diamondglass 4wt - a rod I told everyone to buy when they could, because - like many discontinued-but-classic fly rods - they'd miss it when it was gone.

Today, I see used Diamondglass 8.5' rods selling for full retail, and should they once again become available, I predict solid sales of both rods and blanks (you can never have too much fly rod goodness).

More as this glass news happens.

Glass Goodness From the Left Coast


Larry Kenney - longtime industry stalwart and former Scott rod biggie - announced he'd completed development of his own fiberglass fly rods, and was commencing production.

The Fiberglass Manifesto site ran Kenney's announcement - including a list of rods (the 8'3" 4/5 sounds tasty, as does the 7'9" 3wt) and prices ($580-$595).

Unfortunately, he's (so far) limiting himself to 25 rods per year, but hey - they're still hundreds less than high-end graphite.

And because your fly rod happiness is all that really matters to me, I'll speak freely of things heard on the downlow.

One extremely well-versed fly rod tester test-cast Kenney's prototypes some time ago, and was impressed. And when he's impressed, I'm impressed.

See you at the fly rod rack, Tom Chandler


AuthorPicture

Tom Chandler

As the author of the decade leading fly fishing blog Trout Underground, Tom believes that fishing is not about measuring the experience but instead of about having fun. As a staunch environmentalist, he brings to the Yobi Community thought leadership on environmental and access issues facing us today.

15 comments
I do like the domestic production angle, too bad the glass blanks for his rods aren't domestic (New Zealand). I'm the opposite of Jamie in that I feel better paying more for a reel, maybe its because I can't make a reel but I've wrapped several rods and know its not rocket science to sand a grip or figure out where the guides go. Bamboo is apples and oranges because of the serious craftmanship required ... more to make the blank. I do agree the WalMart high volume/low profit model kills a small passionate business like this and maybe that is worth the premium.
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I concur, on both accounts, but especially when it comes to rewarding the hard work of those not supported by large shops with deep pockets. The risk alone, I think, justifies at least part of the price tag. Oddly enough, while I've spent serious coin on a rod, I have yet to spend over $200 on a reel. Why do I feel ok about expensive rods but not expensive reels? Why do I feel ok about putting a cheap-o ... more reel onto an expensive rod? What the hell is wrong with me... specifically... that's not already on the list...?
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You've got to believe that someone like Kenney - making a handful of rods in a year - has more business charging top dollar for a rod than a company mass producing them by the truckload, but yes - it all remains relative. The price of fly rods vs conventional rods has long been a sore point among fly fishers, and while the usual "big market vs little market" economics apply, I have no idea how the ... more economics truly pencil out. I always believed the premium price paid by fly fishermen really shows up in reels, not rods. For several hundred bucks, you could buy a really stellar, cnc-machined offshire conventional reel - the same as you'd pay for a single-action fly reel. Economy of scale? Or ability to squeeze more from fly fishermen?
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What is the "dollar value" of intellectual property? How much time does Mr. Raine spend researching and developing rod technology: taper design, ferrule crafting and fitting, rod assembly technique, etcetera? Does, for example, TFO invest as much time developing their intellectual property and at what relative cost? Is the rod producer trying to maximize profits or are they more interested in getting ... more by on Top Ramen while producing and selling fly rods? Does $600 per rod put them into a 3 Series BMW or a very used Ford Escort? Do fly fisher(wo)men know or care either way? Just some more variables to consider...
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I'm saying flyrodders pay way more for a flyrod compared to a conventional rod with no real relative difference in materials cost, payroll, overhead…We flyrodders precieve more value in the product, flyrods, and hence pay more because…? 1) Economy of scale. Even a top-selling Sage rod still moves a lot fewer units than a popular Ugly Stick. I'm willing to bet that the gear rod sales of G. Loomis ... more go a long way toward keeping the fly side of their business solvent. 2) Domestic production. Maybe there are some, but I don't know of any widely available "conventional rods" that are produced domestically. If you're paying $600 for a fly rod, it's domestically produced, which means labor costs are higher. If you're paying $199 for a fly rod, it's because it's being made abroad in a mass-production factory where the "craftsmen" are making $10 a day. 3) And undeniably, as you point out, perceived value is a part of it. Perception, if not always, is frequently an inherent part of what someone is willing to spend. If it wasn't, marketing would be an entirely fact-based endeavor.
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I'm saying flyrodders pay way more for a flyrod compared to a conventional rod with no real relative difference in materials cost, payroll, overhead... We flyrodders precieve more value in the product, flyrods, and hence pay more because...?
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Andy, I hear what you're saying and I'm the first to admit that $600 is a lot of money. BUT - 1) You don't have to pay that if you don't want to. There are lots of good rods on the market that cost a lot less. It's simple - if it's too much money, opt for something less expensive. I'm sure it will still catch fish and you'll still have fun. And, 2) It's true that the cost of materials is far less ... more than the retail price. It always will be. But it's a bit simplistic to look at the cost of a rod and just compare it to the cost of materials. The income generated by the sale of that rod also goes toward covering a lot of business expenses that need to be spent before said rod can even start to be produced - facilities, payroll, marketing, etc. I would like to think that someone with the skills to consistently produce high quality rods (especially domestically) can be paid enough to make a decent living at it. Even if they are simply good graphite or fiberglass rods and not bamboo. However, there are very few rod manufacturing companies that are making tons of money. Many are still hoping they'll be around in a few years.
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I do have a fondness for fiberglass but... Why is $600 a reasonable price? Its a freakin piece of fiberglass (or graphite) with some cork, wire, thread and epoxy. Fly rod companies bend us over cause we pay for percieved value. Materials for conventional rods are about the same price yet nice conventional rods cost half a comparable flyrod. Whether its graphite or glass the price differential is not ... more justified just 'cause its a "flyrod." At least bamboo requires serious craftmanship worth a differential. Too bad everone accepts the discrimination.
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Let me add a little fuel to the fire. Jimmy Green's namesake has completed his prototypes, and has 3 multipiece glass rods that cast like a dream, and will fit into your daypack for treks into Stream X. Chris www.hollowbuilt.com
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Good news. My Diamondglass 8' 4wt. is the best spring/small creek rod I've ever used.
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Terrific news about Diamondglass. Let us hope that the price point remains reasonable. Tomorrow, I take my Diamondglass 7' 3wt along for cutthroat on small, remote lowland lake (deep within pacific northwest rainforest, maze of old logging roads, crawling with bears... don't even bother). Adding the 8.5' 4wt to the rod collection would be sweet, indeed. Thanks for passing along the goodness.
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The Kenney rods are the real deal. The four weight is wonderful and whenever I can get the scratch together I am getting on the list for an 8'3" five weight. Tom...thanks for linking TFM on your post. We need to spread more new glass rumors around.
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My over-weening smugness would be diminished if others could climb on board at this late date.Yeah, but let's just say you fell while wading a tricky Cutthroat stream, and your Diamondglass - scored in the fall - broke the next time you used it. Wouldn't the fact that you could purchase another fill your poor, underfished heart with joy?
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Already have the Diamondglass 4-wgt. and various San Francisco-era Scott glass rods.My over-weening smugness would be diminished if others could climb on board at this late date.
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Wow, no love for the fiberglass fly rod? We be shocked...
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