George Anderson's 5WT Shootout - 2011...

[planettrout]

Talk amongst 'yerselves...

http://www.yellowstoneangler.com/FlyRod ... orkBVK.asp

PT/TB

[briansII]

Thanks for the link. While the first "Shootouts" were a little controversial, I liked them. Glade to see they did another. Hope they do an 8wt Shootout soon.

briansII

[fly addict]

He seems to really like the new Winston B3X in this test. I think it is a better rod than the B2X by a long way. Anybody want a lightly used 9' 5wt B2X.

Mark

[NorcalBob]

Warning Will Robinson, Warning (got to love that old TV show)!!!!!
Pretty interesting, but, just because four flyfishing studs (with their own personal preferences & bias) like a rod doesn't mean that you will. Take everything you read with a grain of salt and go out and test the rods at your local fly shop first and then pick the one that you like best. That's actually the best rod for you! In addition, the number of errors within the article (I'll name only one, Orvis' replacement cost is $40 and they usually replace the entire rod (depends on what broke)) makes me question the accuracy of their "testing" overall.

[beachbum]

Lots of interesting info. George knows his stuff. I have heard lots of good things about the new Hardy rods.

[Pete]

Interesting read, but I'm with NorcalBob. Take everything with a grain of salt. That being said, it is a well done article and at least their methods were uniform for all rods. I also like how they went out a bought a rod, because a particular maker wouldn't play nice. I have never trusted reviews where the reviewer gets the product free and gets to keep it. I wouldn't mind seeing a rod evaluation/ comparison performed by the average "Joe Consumer" fly fisherman.

Just my opinion, but cover up all the distinguishing characteristics of the rods and I'll wager half of us probably couldn't tell the difference in what we were casting. Big dollars in them thar rods. Makes me wonder, how much of a rod's cost is R & D, actual manufacturing, paying for the "name"? I am betting if we learned to properly cast the rods we already own, we would be happy with them. I have never really met a fly rod I didn't like, but then my casting is nothing to write home about .

[NorcalBob]

"Makes me wonder, how much of a rod's cost is R & D, actual manufacturing, paying for the "name"?"
Pete, you really don't want to know the answer to that question as you would not like the answer!!!
But, I think as a rod builder, you've got a pretty accurate idea!!!
Like you said, big dollars in them thar rods!!!
"I also like how they went out a bought a rod, because a particular maker wouldn't play nice. I have never trusted reviews where the reviewer gets the product free and gets to keep it"
Funny how that works, ain't it!!!! Also quite amusing that out of the top five ranked rods, those are the brands he sells in the shop, and the other brands that he doesn't stock are all rated much lower!!! Including the top ranked rod, which they are one of the few fly shops that actually stock that rod!!!!
Just saying!!!!

[briansII]

"Makes me wonder, how much of a rod's cost is R & D, actual manufacturing, paying for the "name"?"
Pete, you really don't want to know the answer to that question as you would not like the answer!!!
But, I think as a rod builder, you've got a pretty accurate idea!!!
Like you said, big dollars in them thar rods!!!
"I also like how they went out a bought a rod, because a particular maker wouldn't play nice. I have never trusted reviews where the reviewer gets the product free and gets to keep it"
Funny how that works, ain't it!!!! Also quite amusing that out of the top five ranked rods, those are the brands he sells in the shop, and the other brands that he doesn't stock are all rated much lower!!! Including the top ranked rod, which they are one of the few fly shops that actually stock that rod!!!!
Just saying!!!!

I think that's what rubs a lot of folks the wrong way. They are in the business of selling NEW fly rods. Same as their last 5wt shootout. The highest rank rod(Tom Morgan) was one they sold, and not readily available to the general public. Kinda makes you go "hmmm...." Many of the rating categories are just way too subjective to give any conclusive info....especially when it's only 4 guys doing the ratings.

Personally, I like it for it's entertainment value. I like to read the various opinions, but in no way use it as a "buyers guide". Out of the whole list of 5wt rods, only a few are on my radar list to try. Although, that did change a little because of this article. The comments on the lower priced Winston and Orvis have me curious. See, it worked!

briansII