What’s New In An Old Technology (This is Part II: Read Part I here, and Part III here.)
If I described the number of fiberglass fly rod makers as “large†or even “booming,†I’d be a liar.
There are a handful of small companies building glass, and a few larger companies dipping their toe in the technology, though by and large the bigger companies haven’t fared well at fiberglass.
For example, the original Winston fiberglass fly rods (typically built on the vaunted Fisher blanks) were quite good, but the reissued Winston “Stalker†rods were universally derided as pale shadows of the originals (Winston no longer lists fiberglass fly rods on their Web site).
Scott rods offers four fiberglass rods, though an Undergrounder noticed their own reps didn’t seem to know it.
In fact, look closely, and you’ll uncover a recurring theme; the larger rod companies pigeonhole fiberglass as a material suited only to very short rods, yet those buying fiberglass fly rods are using them for everyday fly fishing on all kinds of trout water.
Which is where small, independent rod builders enter the picture.
Today, I’m going to cover three independent fiberglass rod builders, and handle the bigger rod companies and other manufacturers in the next installment. Off we go…
Steffen Brothers
Though he’s not well known to the general fly fishing public, Mark Steffen has been rolling exceptional fiberglass and graphite fly rod blanks in his one-man operation for years.
His smooth-casting, medium-actioned fiberglass rods offer a decidedly retro look; the opaque, maroon brown, unsanded blanks appeal to some (like me), but are unlikely to win many beauty contests.
Steffen’s handwriting isn’t much, but his fiberglass rods cast beautifully.
Despite the nostalgic appearance, his s-glass rods are all business, and surprisingly light.
In fact, you don’t experience the real beauty of his rods until you’re on the river — they’re exceptionally smooth, light-in-the-hand casters. Comparing rods and actions is an inexact science at best, but my feeling is that the Steffen rods play in the same range (action-wise) as the vaunted Granger and Phillipson bamboo tapers.
They’re soft enough to protect light tippets and preserve a smooth, undefinable casting “feel” – yet strong enough to handle some wind, big fish, and big flies.
It’s safe to that – on a purely technical footing — his fiberglass fly rods rank with any currently being built. And at $300-$425 (depending on number of pieces), they’re a bargain compared to top-flight graphite fly rods.
His reel seats and cosmetics are straightforward and functional, and don’t be fooled by his Web site; it’s years out of date. He now offers many models not listed (including his very fishable 5wt rods).
I own and fish a pair of Steffen rods — 8′ and 8.5′ 5wts, (3pc and 4pc respectively) — and while some suggest a good 8.5′ 5wt fiberglass fly rod can’t be built, Steffen’s 8.5′ 5/6wt suggests otherwise.
In addition, his 7’9″ – 8′ 3/4wt rods are universally loved, though I haven’t fished one.
Closeup of the unsanded Steffen blank.
Steffen also rolls and build some exceptional graphite rods, but says that fiberglass fly rods are the fastest-growing part of his rod mix. Like McFarland’s rods (see below), Steffen will build a fiberglass fly rod in about as many pieces as you want — inserting internal spigot ferrules where needed.
Steffen doesn’t build vanity fly rods, but he does build fiberglass fly rods that fish very well.
McFarland Fly Rods
Mike McFarland’s glass fly rods are well known among fiberglass flyrodders — both for their smooth actions and gorgeous appearance. Where Steffen’s rods are (relatively speaking) high tech and plain looking, McFarland’s rods harken back to a more traditional action and are frankly gorgeous.
McFarland’s blanks feature a butterscotch brown color (photo McFarland Rods)
They’re still exceptional fishing tools, but McFarland uses e-glass (a slightly lower modulus fiberglass), puts a lot of effort into refining the appearance of his rods, and admits to preferring less-aggressive traditional tapers.
Available in multiple trim levels and in everything from 2-pc to ultra-portable 8-piece formats, McFarland’s glass rods (the Spruce Creek Series) cover a wide range of actions: progressive, dry fly, and parabolic.
For the real diehard old farts, McFarland even offers fly rods with nickel silver ferrules, an “accessory†which heaps many of the maintenance issues associated with bamboo rods onto fiberglass (I’m passing on that one).
Like Steffen, McFarland is often willing to build you a rod that’s not in his catalog, offering fly fishers a truly “custom” rod – a trait far more reminiscent of bamboo rods than today’s mass-produced graphite.
McFarland dresses his rods with some serious bling (photo McFarland Rods)
He offers fly rods in 7′ to 8’9″ lengths, and from 3 to 7 weights, making him the only builder dabbling in longer, heavier line weight glass rods — a space in the market often reserved for graphite.
The consensus is that McFarland’s rods are a teensy bit slower than Steffen’s efforts due to the slightly lower modulus material, though his stiff-butted dry fly rods won’t necessarily feel that way.
I’d suggest they offer a strong appeal to traditionalists and bamboo fanatics, but in truth, things are just plain pretty, and very smooth.
TL Johnson Rods
Terry Johnson’s new fly rod company (TL Johnson fly rods, natch) is focused on its several lines of graphite fly rods, but Johnson clearly has a soft spot in his heart for glass rods.
His glass models are subtly different from the others; at their core lies a helix of graphite fiber which is surrounded by fiberglass, and as a result, his line of fiberglass rods fish a little “faster” than most glass.
The metallic olive TL Johnson glass rod (photo courtesy TL Johnson)
When I spoke to Johnson at the retailer show in Denver, he said he wanted his rods to bridge the gap between bamboo and graphite, and a quick test of one of his rods suggested he’s he’s done so.
Currently, Johnson offers glass rods from 7′ to 8′ in length, in 4wt and 5wt models. His Web site lists only 2-pc models – a stumbling block if you’re looking for a travel rod.
His glass rods are cleanly built and finished, and — like most of the rod builders mentioned here – less expensive than a lot of the graphite rods on the market.
The rods I handled at the show were pretty – an olive color with nicely coordinated wraps – and I’d suggest their relatively sleek, modern appearance will appeal to those familiar with modern graphite rods.
Next Time…
I’ll cover some of the bigger fiberglass fly rod providers, including the much-loved (and high-priced) Thomas & Thomas Heirloom rods, and one of the best values in fiberglass — provided you can find one — the Diamondglass rods.
See you on the river, Tom Chandler.
(This is Part II: Read Part I here, and Part III here)
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