I am a gear whore. I can't deny it anymore. Actually, I stop denying it several years ago. I just have to remind myself every once in a while that I am. I love fly fishing gear. Why? I haven't quite figured it out yet. There is just something about all the cool stuff out there and all the new stuff that comes out almost everyday. In particular, my obsession for fly rods seems to be sticking my wife in her side. If I were able to obtain and amass houses the way I do fly rods, and then turn around and sell them to buy more houses, I would be pretty well off. I would be in a great position in life. Well, I don't deal with houses. I deal with fly rods.
Fly rods are almost like electronics. Like phones, and other devises, there seems to be new technology and updates to current rod models every few weeks. If you try to stay on top of it all, you are bound to have a bit of trouble with the partner.
There are two rods on my radar right now that will make my life complete. One is the new yet to be released Orvis Helios 2 in a 9' for 4wt., tip flex rod. I just know by casting it, it will make me happier on the water. The other rod is not a new rod, but one that has been in the current line up for a while. The thing is, I finally casted it today at the Colorado Springs Fly Fishing Show and now, I wonder why I don't have it in my quiver. It is the Scott G2 8'8" 6wt. Never mind that I have the 3-5 wt. in this series. The 6 wt. rod will also make me a happy person. I won't even get into the "other" rods that are on order right now, but let's just say they will make my life that much more enjoyable. Gosh, It sounds as if my life is centered around fly fishing and gear?
The Orvis Helios 9' 4wt. is a dreamy rod. It's light, fast and smooth as a Costco concrete floor. It is the one rod that really shines in that series. The 5wt is not bad either, but as I said today, it's not the 4wt. This rod is in control the whole time. Your mind and arm knowing what to expect throughout the entire casting stroke. Like I said, it is smooth and perfect.
The Scott G2 is a "different" rod. Being 8'8", it feels different. Picking it up, my first thought was that it was a bit heavy, but I had just put down a 2wt. so maybe that had something to do with it. It felt as if it was going to have a heavy swing weight and a clunky feel to it. As I casted it, it felt almost out of control as the power of the butt pushed the rod but while it skated the line of out of control-ness, then the strong mid section and the soft tip took over and a sense of total control took over. Ty Clifton, the Scott Pro member on hand and I fumbled for words to explain it and finally came to the conclusion that it felt like controlled chaos. It was a great feel and my mind could only think of those NASCAR cars going into the turn, hugging the high wall, only to come out in a controlled manner on the straight away. You would think something bad was going to happen, but it was a controlled chaos. That is how this rod feels. It is awesome and like nothing I have ever casted, even the 5wt in the same series.
The butt is strong and the tip is soft. It could throw big streamers and #24 trios, no doubt about that. It felt strong and powerful and then the tip took over gently flinging the fly over and landing softly. I can't explain it and neither could Ty. He just warned me that if I casted it, I would want one. Yea, I want one. Now I just need to figure out how to get the funding for these 2 rods. I've already offered my Scott S4 9' 4wt. for sale and have no takers as of yet, but if you are interested, please shoot me an e-mail. Gosh, this is getting bad and I sure hope my wife doesn't read this. I may have more trouble on my hands than trying how to figure out how to buy 2 more rods. Thanks Ty.
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I hear you Juan. I love the new rods. I have cast the G2 just like the one you are talking about. It was very nice. It was a windy day and I intentionally cast it with and against the wind. I would like to have one. The only problem is I like the rods I have now and I would have to sell them to buy just one G2. So that plan doesn't work. I have been interested in the rods that are slightly lower in cost. I liked the Scott A4. It may be my next rod. Good luck with the sell/buy plan. I already have two 4 weights that I like now. I don't need another one. Jerry
ReplyDeleteYou are a smart man Jerry!
DeleteI kissed a guide and liked it.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is "You got it bad, brother".
ReplyDeleteMark,
DeleteYes I do. You gotta enjoy life right? I only got one shot at it so I am trying like hell to enjoy it!
The nice thing about old antiquated glass is no one wants them and they sell cheap. But I do have to admit that if I was going back it would probably be the Scott. Don't sell the house Juan!
ReplyDeleteI have it bad, but I have a few cells left in this ole' brain of mine. I haven't even messed with any of the old glass or bamboo.....yet.
DeleteJuan
ReplyDeleteI've sung the praises of the original scott g for a long time. I own the "trifecta" -the g884/3, g885/3, g886/3 from days of old. old I find myself fishing the Six most of the time. I target big trout, and may fish small dries to articulated streamers in the course of a day. Better line control on the Six, and power when you want it. I love the 8-8 length. Now go get bit by the scott HP bug and find an 888/3 for you wife for her birthday.....ask my wife how that one worked....
I was thinking of you while I was writing this. Some folks are happy with the tools they have and you have some great tools. Those old Gs are classic for a reason. I am a bit jealous as you have the 8'8" line up. From what I hear and can imagine, they are pretty sweet. I will never dump my Gs for anything new. I just can't do that. I'll continue to trade some of the older, newer stuff as products change, but never will the Gs be traded!
DeleteJuan, as I see it, your lovely wife has a birthday (G2884), monthers day (G2885) and a wedding anniversary (G2886)!
ReplyDeleteHave fun brother! I didn't mention that I too have cast that G2 886 and it is indeed a fresh stick. You won"t be dissappointed.
I've been fishing the G2 9ft #5 since it was released. It's a sweet rod for everything up to, say, 60 feet. It doesn't have that strong mid section and the stiff butt section as the ultra fast rods like the Sage One or TCX. But that's okay. It's a fishing rod and not a parking lot rod.
ReplyDeleteThis rod is a smooth caster and it's such a nice rod to fish!
I like to fish this rod on larger streams and medium sized rivers.
Here's a fishing report with a big role for my G2:
http://bassbug.blogspot.nl/2006/11/november-graylings.html
Did you ever buy the 886 G2, Juan?
DeleteI was never able to get one. Scott discontinued that particular rod and I have never seen another one. I talked to Jim at Scott and told him I needed one and he agreed it was a fine rod. I told him he need to bring it back as a "classic" rod one year, similar to what they used to do a few years back. I just sold LL my G2s last month and replaced them with the G. Loomis NRX LP rods but have yet to fish them. I just got them last Monday.
Delete