I’ve raved repeatedly about the Underground’s love for Diamondback’s “Diamondglass” fly rods (hey, it’s a manly love), which quickly built a cult following among the low-modulus set.
If my bamboo fly rods were declared illegal by the United Nations and the black helicopters came for them, I could still happily fish my Diamondglass rods on streams and spring creeks.
They’re that good.
Unfortunately, the entire line disappeared from view once Cortland bought the Diamondback company, and much sadness ensued.
Until now.
Formerly black, they now are blue...
Cortland is bringing back the line for 2011 (though we believe the blanks are being produced by an independent rodmaker). The old blanks were black but the new seem to be sporting a deep blue color (we’re all for a little personality here). Otherwise, they look similar to the originals.
Here’s the lineup:
6′ 2 wt. 2 pc
6’6†3 wt. 2 pc
7′ 3 wt. 3 pc
7’6†3 wt. 3 pc
8′ 4 wt. 3 pc
8’6†4 wt. 3 pc
I liked my 8.5′ 4wt so much I bought a backup blank (it’s here somewhere), and I’ve received more than a few emails over the years asking if I knew of a source for used rods, which were fetching “like-new” prices.
Sadly, I don’t see the wonderfully smooth 8′ 5wt 3-pc rod listed, and wonder about the 8′ 4wt rod, which used to be a 2-pc model (and a little teensy bit fast for me).
Perhaps moving to a 3-pc design slowed it a little (and if so, I’m getting one).
At $299, the rods aren’t exactly free for the taking, but they’re a lot less than bamboo or high-end graphite.
Besides, it’s hard to put a price on love.
See you at the counter, Tom Chandler.
Do you know if they’ll be offering blanks for sale?
Anthony (Casting Around)(Quote)
Doesn’t seem to say at the site.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
That 6’6†3 wt. 2 pc looks sweet. Pinpointing ( in my case) rudd and the occasional German brown or grayling. Given that I own less then 10 flyrods I should get one. Right?
But I guess shipping to EU will bork things up again.
So I will be going on a rampage, find every glass flyblank left in this country, and report back. There may be many (or none) to be found. And I’m really curious….
Peter(Quote)
I own the 7′ 3wt 3-pc, which is quite soft and extremely smooth (the 2-pc versions were generally a bit faster than the 3-pc). A toy in the wind, I’ve fished it with dries up to Size 8 without a problem, though leader selection becomes critical.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Well, then. That’s my Christmas shopping sorted…
MHH(Quote)
I remember hearing that McFarland Rod Company had acquired all the equipment from Diamondback, so I wonder if these are McFarland Rods. If so, that is a huge plus.
John(Quote)
I believe the blanks are manufactured by Mike, but that’s old information and wanted to double-check it.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
This news cheered up a sad and cynical old man.
American manufacturing had to restart somewhere.
Sully(Quote)
C’mon – you’re not that sad…
Tom Chandler(Quote)
So the blanks are manufactured offshore and just finished here?
At least American piece work is back.
Sully(Quote)
This is completely off topic. I fished today, Tom. And you didn’t. Did Not. I did. And, it was……..outstanding. I had my cellphone with me, and was tempted to call you with fish-on! reel screaming ala Roberts, but. I was just too busy. Too, too busy.
The fall colors of foliage and fish are just outstanding. Strong wild trout, screaming Hardys, bent cane. Damn. Did I tell you how good it was? They are lookin up and grabbin it. Yea, it was good. It was outstanding. Glad you able to stay in your nice warm house and fondle some rods. Heh, heh.
C
Chris Raine(Quote)
The 8ft 5wt is a sweet taper and not having it in the line up is a miss in my opinion but I’m just tickled they’re back…..
Marty(Quote)
The 8′ 5wt was the slowest of the rods, and probably the least “accessible” of the tapers (at least as far as the general public is concerned).
It’s one of the sweetest rods I’ve ever used, but I’ll bet it didn’t do very well in a fly shop parking lot…
Tom Chandler(Quote)
So, are we reasonably confident that the new versions have the same actions as their predecessors? I’ve consistently kept an eye out for a used 8’6″ 4 wt., to no avail. I am not questioning the quality of the current lineup, just wondering if the new ones mimic the old (and hoping that they do).
Billy B(Quote)
Not any more. See comment #14 below…
Tom Chandler(Quote)
When I spoke with Nate Dablock of Cortland Line Company at IFTD, he stated that the rod blanks are sourced out of country but are finished by a custom fly rod builder in the U.S.
It will be interesting to see how this new generation series compares to the Diamondback Glass of the past.
Cameron Mortenson(Quote)
Ahh, so things have changed since I last spoke to Mike. Dang.
Given that there are only minor differences between these rods and the “old” Dglass line, I’m hoping they basically shipped the mandrells abroad, and that the new rods will be similar to the old.
In any case, thanks for saving me from writing an email to Cortland today (that’s one item [of dozens] off the to-do list).
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Tom…I would have to believe it’s one of those economic situations where someone like Mike can’t cover costs to both roll a blank and finish it out for a $299 price point.
On a side note…the Cortland Retro Reel is a click pawl dandy and anodized in a similar dark blue color (they call it “gunmetal” it looks like on the website) to be a perfect match to the new Diamondback Glass.
http://www.cortlandline.com/products/default.asp?id=582
Cameron Mortenson(Quote)
Man, you’ve got this whole gear-whore thing down pat, don’t you?
Tom Chandler(Quote)
“Gear Whore”? I prefer to consider it staying informed on what’s next. Okay…I admit to being a bit of a gear whore too. Aren’t we all to some extent in fly fishing? The tough part is weeding through it all to find the few items really worth having.
Cameron Mortenson(Quote)
Of course we’re all gear whores, though I myself prefer to think of it as having a “high degree of equipmentally related awareness.”
Though I will say that buying reels to match rods could mean you’re already peering over into the abyss…
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Made in the good ol’ USA
Steffen Brothers
Greywolf
Don(Quote)
I have fished with the Diamondback 8ft 4wt 3pc…. with the Cortalnd Sterling Reel 3/4 , loved it! I was fishing the East Verde in AZ where I just purchased a Cabin that we are fishing up to Rent and use. I was fishing mostly Parachute Adams with a 3wt line, It was a Blast! I did not get to try the old ones but I can tell you I really enjoy this rod.. I have amother one in stock on my online Store, but I do not have it posted because I am debating on holding on to it… but if anyone here is intersted e-mail me and I may consider selling it.
Have a Good Day!
Charlie
Charles(Quote)
Charlie; I’m curious if the 8′ 4wt 3-pc is the same taper as the original 8′ 4wt 2-pc, which was strong enough to throw a 5wt if you wanted.
In the original Dglass series, the 3-pc rods generally offered a much slower experience than the 2-pc, so I’m unclear as to what the new 8′ 4wt represents…
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Tom, first off, are you a relation to Leon? Ralph Daniels was my Cortland 444 pro shop rep from ‘ 75-85 where we represented Orvis, Leonard, and the 444 lineup among many others. I arrived onto the scene during the earliest transition from cane and the light, full-flexation fibreglass rods into the world of graphite, solid boron and boron-graphite composite rods. The spiral-wrapped Orvis was our stock in trade for many years until the arrival of the 444 Dback’s. I remember how much more cane-like and sensitive they were than the Orvis and recall just how delighted I was to play and release a 22″ rainbow in the Farmington River with a 6’6″ 3 or 4 wt rod. Sales were excellent. Back then, the flaw-ridden H.L.Leonard graphites were back seat to the party, until the advent of the “Golden Shadow” line came to be. I remember being introduced to them and was astounded with the craftsmanship and the fact that the depth of color and warm golden glow brought back some of the the warmth of old cane back to our rod racks. T0 us and our customers, they were just a delight, and to many of us they still are! That special woven carbon fibre cloth, scraped and sanded and placed under three coats of “paint” sanded between each coat lent a depth and color that today remains unrivaled in my humble opinion. Not too many Leonard Golden Shadow’s made market before their demise in ’84 so we who own them cherish them!
bob dimesky(Quote)
No relation to the much-missed Leon Chandler, though we did correspond on occasion and I own a signed Leon Chandler signature glass rod.
Tom Chandler(Quote)