[grey duster]

Have a look at the Moonlit S-Glass from the US (takes about 2 weeks via Amazon). I have a 6ft 2wt (about £180 including import duty) and although I've only grass cast with it so far it is a beautiful rod to cast with - lays the line out with perfect turnover; a little adaptation for roll casting (bigger D loop) but equally enjoyable. There's a reasonable range. Actually I won't go into the detail but now I have 2 - one which will be used for dries and one upstream unweighted nymphs on our equivalent of spring creeks.

 

[RossM]

Cheers for the input everyone, once again lots of great advice - especially useful as I'm not able to test out any glass rods in person!

I do have a little Aventik 6'7" glass rod - I initially thought it would be a funny novelty item I'd use a couple of times a year, but it's become my absolute favourite rod for small streams and I'd recommend them to anyone.
Although similarly priced I believe they're considered a bit nicer than the Maxcatch glass rods.

Sandy Nelson's custom-built rods look amazing - it would be all too easy to go to town there requesting all sorts of snazzy reel seats and colour coordinated whippings.. I'll get in contact with him to ask about approximate waiting times ?

 

[Hardrar]

Cheers for the input everyone, once again lots of great advice - especially useful as I'm not able to test out any glass rods in person!

I do have a little Aventik 6'7" glass rod - I initially thought it would be a funny novelty item I'd use a couple of times a year, but it's become my absolute favourite rod for small streams and I'd recommend them to anyone.
Although similarly priced I believe they're considered a bit nicer than the Maxcatch glass rods.

Sandy Nelson's custom-built rods look amazing - it would be all too easy to go to town there requesting all sorts of snazzy reel seats and colour coordinated whippings.. I'll get in contact with him to ask about approximate waiting times ?

Folks will say a custom finish, won't make you fish any better……….. believe me it does!

 

[stevel]

I'd be watching eBay for a used Epic as they do sometimes come up for less that your budget. If you feel confident enough then Epic do a ready to wrap kit with everything you'll need to build your own for a price in the ballpark of your budget but I don't think the new Epics have the same feel as their older New Zealand made CTS blanks, the 7' 3wt they do is very good though.

If you can stretch your budget a bit then Sandy Nelson could build you a Livingston in pretty much any size you want and you'll have a choice of wrap colours, hardware choice and colour, agate stripping guides, the wood used for the reel seat! It's a very nice process and it'll be a rod that is unique to you. I'd guess a Livingston 804 or 476 would be in the £450 ballpark and Sandy says the 476 is as good with a 3wt line as it is with a 4wt.

Food for thought if you can hold out a bit longer!

Sandy has another rod up for auction in the WTT annual Spring Auction this month - a beautiful Yamame Pure 7' 3/4.
Although it's not likely to go for £300, it does go to a very good cause!

 

[Hardrar]

Cheers for the input everyone, once again lots of great advice - especially useful as I'm not able to test out any glass rods in person!

I do have a little Aventik 6'7" glass rod - I initially thought it would be a funny novelty item I'd use a couple of times a year, but it's become my absolute favourite rod for small streams and I'd recommend them to anyone.
Although similarly priced I believe they're considered a bit nicer than the Maxcatch glass rods.

Sandy Nelson's custom-built rods look amazing - it would be all too easy to go to town there requesting all sorts of snazzy reel seats and colour coordinated whippings.. I'll get in contact with him to ask about approximate waiting times ?

Another rod to look out for us a s/h Orvis Superfine glass, I have a few and one of the early versions I have, on a Philipson blank a 7'-6" #6 will cast any line beautifully from a #3 to a #7 it's as light as a carbon rod too.

 

[beetlebum]

Another rod to look out for us a s/h Orvis Superfine glass, I have a few and one of the early versions I have, on a Philipson blank a 7'-6" #6 will cast any line beautifully from a #3 to a #7 it's as light as a carbon rod too.

I was after a Phillipson glass rod for ages but they're pretty scarce this side of the pond. I ended up with the Fenwick which is a lovely rod.

 

[RossM]

Thanks again for your recommendations guys, I contacted Sandy Nelson a few weeks ago and you're right, he's a really nice guy to deal with and clearly knows his stuff - as he said, 4wt glass is a personal obsession of his!
After taking the time to find out what I'm looking for he sent me one of his demo rods to try out - it's built on a Livingston 7'6 4wt blank and I was blown away, for the type of fishing I enjoy it's perfect.
It's full-flexing and really light, yet satisfyingly 'punchy' even with a few feet of line out. The grip was a short 5.5" 'Ritz' style which I'd never used before but turned out to be very pleasant to use.

I decided to place an order for a rod built on the same Livingston 764 blank but with a slightly longer 6" Ritz grip and cap & ring reel seat.
Then came the really fun bit, trying to choose which colour scheme, reel seat insert and stripping guide to go for! Sandy really takes the time to show you the different options and gives helpful suggestions without making you feel pressured.
He had one of the black Livingston blanks in stock so I went for that - all being well it should be ready in the next 3-4 weeks ??

 

[sean freeman]

Thanks again for your recommendations guys, I contacted Sandy Nelson a few weeks ago and you're right, he's a really nice guy to deal with and clearly knows his stuff - as he said, 4wt glass is a personal obsession of his!
After taking the time to find out what I'm looking for he sent me one of his demo rods to try out - it's built on a Livingston 7'6 4wt blank and I was blown away, for the type of fishing I enjoy it's perfect.
It's full-flexing and really light, yet satisfyingly 'punchy' even with a few feet of line out. The grip was a short 5.5" 'Ritz' style which I'd never used before but turned out to be very pleasant to use.

I decided to place an order for a rod built on the same Livingston 764 blank but with a slightly longer 6" Ritz grip and cap & ring reel seat.
Then came the really fun bit, trying to choose which colour scheme, reel seat insert and stripping guide to go for! Sandy really takes the time to show you the different options and gives helpful suggestions without making you feel pressured.
He had one of the black Livingston blanks in stock so I went for that - all being well it should be ready in the next 3-4 weeks ??
View attachment 50147

Love that blank and the fittings! Black glass just looks awesome ? Sandy is top, he's never steered me wrong, think I've had seven rods off him! Some no longer with me obviously! Just like trying different glass. The original rod he built for me was an Epic packlight that I absolutely love.

 

[Hardrar]

I was after a Phillipson glass rod for ages but they're pretty scarce this side of the pond. I ended up with the Fenwick which is a lovely rod.

Yes Feralites are lovely if you can find them, I'd love a Fenwick Woodstream.
The Orvis is unusual as it doesn't say Orvis on the blank and has a stripping ring and 8 snake rings plus tip, that's more than you would normally whip on a 7'-6" rod. it's in the original Orvis tube.
I've given over trying to source from over here and just pay the duty out of the USA now, they are still just below a custom build from the U.K. and it's lighter than a modern S glass rod. I've had about 5 rods and several reels from the USA this past year.

 

[RossM]

Love that blank and the fittings! Black glass just looks awesome ? Sandy is top, he's never steered me wrong, think I've had seven rods off him! Some no longer with me obviously! Just like trying different glass. The original rod he built for me was an Epic packlight that I absolutely love.

Haha, yeah I can see how it can become a bit of an addiction.
The little 6'6" Yomogi blanks are very tempting.. ?
I've a feeling that could be next on my list ?

 

[beetlebum]

Yes Feralites are lovely if you can find them, I'd love a Fenwick Woodstream.
The Orvis is unusual as it doesn't say Orvis on the blank and has a stripping ring and 8 snake rings plus tip, that's more than you would normally whip on a 7'-6" rod. it's in the original Orvis tube.
I've given over trying to source from over here and just pay the duty out of the USA now, they are still just below a custom build from the U.K. and it's lighter than a modern S glass rod. I've had about 5 rods and several reels from the USA this past year.

The Fenwick is an Ff80 8' 7/8. I'm going to have a play around with lines to see which suits it best but an old SA floater (mint green, unsure of the type...it's 10 years plus old) works really nicely.

 

[Uncas]

The Fenwick is an Ff80 8' 7/8. I'm going to have a play around with lines to see which suits it best but an old SA floater (mint green, unsure of the type...it's 10 years plus old) works really nicely.

For the Fenwick FF80 I would say a WF8, I have a mint 8'6'' version.

 

[beetlebum]

For the Fenwick FF80 I would say a WF8, I have a mint 8'6'' version.

Thanks Ben, I'll give one a whirl. How do you find the Ff80?

Cheers,
Simon

 

[stevel]

Thanks again for your recommendations guys, I contacted Sandy Nelson a few weeks ago and you're right, he's a really nice guy to deal with and clearly knows his stuff - as he said, 4wt glass is a personal obsession of his!
After taking the time to find out what I'm looking for he sent me one of his demo rods to try out - it's built on a Livingston 7'6 4wt blank and I was blown away, for the type of fishing I enjoy it's perfect.
It's full-flexing and really light, yet satisfyingly 'punchy' even with a few feet of line out. The grip was a short 5.5" 'Ritz' style which I'd never used before but turned out to be very pleasant to use.

I decided to place an order for a rod built on the same Livingston 764 blank but with a slightly longer 6" Ritz grip and cap & ring reel seat.
Then came the really fun bit, trying to choose which colour scheme, reel seat insert and stripping guide to go for! Sandy really takes the time to show you the different options and gives helpful suggestions without making you feel pressured.
He had one of the black Livingston blanks in stock so I went for that - all being well it should be ready in the next 3-4 weeks ??
View attachment 50147

Congrats! I went Sandy because of all the good word spread on here (though I had bookmarked him on my google searches separately) and it was as you say a fantastic experience. Although I had my own blank bought directly from Tomo (plus extras like the sack, tube and Kineya fittings), he was happy to do the finishing work for me and the amount of care in selection and execution of everything else which fit in with both of our ideals, was amazing.
You're lucky, so much was his demand that mine took 6months in the end, but that was well worth the wait!

 

[dave b]

My best friend only uses glass rods and below are his favourite brands generally in 8ft to 9ft and #4 to #6

Echo
Blue Halo
Epic.

I've cast them all, and yes they are ok, too soft for my tastes but good fun.....personally I don't see the attraction in "glass" as a £60 carbon rod offers better performance in my eyes.

That said get what you enjoy....??

Rob I'm in the same boat. I built a 3 piece 7ft 6in 3# MHX which has a 6mm dia blank, and it casts a Cortland 444 or Bario Small Stream off the tip beautifully and will bend to the butt with a decent WBT on. It's a delight to use as it's point and shoot yet has the backbone to cast a good line when required.

Some glass rods are exceptional however I prefer the feel and control carbon rods give and the way they transmit every shake of the head.

Ross if you're buying from Sandy you will be getting a superb rod built to the highest standard.

 

[Uncas]

Thanks Ben, I'll give one a whirl. How do you find the Ff80?

Cheers,
Simon

Hi Simon,

Mine is the Woodstream FF- 857 2pc it's a very powerfull rod good for Sea Trout night fishing with a DT7.
Or Salmon/Pike with a WF8,
It's a lovely casting rod not to heavy considering it's 8'6'' no more than some similar sized carbons.
It amazes me why people are not interested in useing these vintage rods, I also have a 8'6'' 2pc 5/6
American Shakespear which is also as new.
,

 

[sean freeman]

I think the performance aspect depends on where you’re fishing, I switch between fishing glass and carbon a lot through the season and can’t say it’s ever hampered me. I favour glass for smaller streams where you can easily clip a branch and bust the tip of a carbon rod, I also feel it subdues fish quicker and has a great action for fishing streamers. I do enjoy them with a dry fly too though and once tuned into the action they’re just as accurate and delicate. For bigger rivers and lochs it’s carbon only.

Some glass rods have more feels and more refined tapers than others, cheap modern glass can be hit or miss unfortunately, the differences are far greater than with cheap and expensive carbon rods.

 

[RossM]

Just a quick update; my finished rod arrived from Sandy and it's a beauty! He's a great guy to deal with and highly recommended.
First photo is mine but the others I give credit to Sandy ?
Any trout wishing to christen the rod, please form an orderly queue!

 

[beetlebum]

Just a quick update; my finished rod arrived from Sandy and it's a beauty! He's a great guy to deal with and highly recommended.
First photo is mine but the others I give credit to Sandy ?
Any trout wishing to christen the rod, please form an orderly queue!
View attachment 52145 View attachment 52146 View attachment 52148 View attachment 52149

That's a beauty, that reel seat is gorgeous ?. I'm sure it'll be a delight to fish with too.

 

[RossM]

That's a beauty, that reel seat is gorgeous ?. I'm sure it'll be a delight to fish with too.

Cheers! It's dyed buckeye burl.
Its maiden voyage should be soon so fingers crossed! ?