need help with rod for my dad

[l_j_m2014 0]

Hello, I am new to this site and am not as knowledgable on this subject as my dad. Two years ago I broke his bamboo fly rod he was givin when he was a kid from my great granddad. He used it alot and and due to my stupidity the rod is no longer fishable. So I bought him a replacement rod it was a Shakespeare with a 1906 reel and he uses it but Ive gotten a little wiser the last two years and have relized I replaced something that meant alot to him with a very cheap beginner type rod. My question is this he usually fishes small streams and creeks that are average 4 ft wide or less in most places with 6 ft tall grass and over hanging trees for trout both native and stocked creeks so 8 or 10" to 16 in trout. He fishes dry flies and nymphs. I was looking at bamboo but can not afford a rod of that calber. My granddad and brothers wanted to pitch in but my mom said my dad would not except a real expensive anything. He is just that way. So we looked at a 7 ft 6 in 3 or 4 wt. reddington classic trout or a winston passport with a lamsen konic reel. Does anybody have any suggestions. I almost got him the reddington until I saw the winston. I want something better than the cheap rod I tried to pawn off on him. He never talks about it or brings it up but I know he misses his old rod. He also has a 10 ft bamboo that was his granddads and he recently retired it to his fly room and displays it with a picture of him and old great granddad. So this fall for his birthday we want to also get him a reddington or winston 8 or 9 ft 5 wt. These bamboo rods were the only rods my dad has ever fished with. The 10 ft bamboo he fished lrger stream and small lakes for larger trout 14" to 21" and crappies, pan fish small bass. He said 10 ft was a bit to long. The recommended rods do not have to be reddington or winston either we want something that has a good warrenty, looks very nice and that he will enjoy. If any body can give me any suggestions it would be much appreciated and I want to thank you all in advance.

[riffleriversteelheadslayer 0]

You might think about a custom rod for him contact Steve (steeldrifter) he could recomend and guide you through the whole thing and build your dad a true work of art that he will treasure and enjoy fishing for a lifetime plus

[bluegill576 0]

The custom rod would be good, but if you didn't want to do that I would go with the redington CT. It is a nice slow action that would be as similar as you could get to bamboo with a graphite rod. The lamson reels are also very good and last forever.

[fly tryer 0]

I second what Paul say's (Riff) the custom option from Steve does not have to be expensive but is something that he would treasure for the rest of his life (I speak from experience)

 

Steve

[Bucket 0]

as far as the reel goes, I'd get a Redington Drift, instead of a Lamson Konic. I have both reels, the Drift feels (and sounds) more like a "classic trout reel", plus it looks great if you get the titanium color.

 

 

I agree with the others about contacting steeldrifter in regards to the rod.

[Steeldrifter 0]

I could help you out if you would like something special made just for him. A custom rod doesn't have have to be expensive, it "can" be, but doesn't "have" to be. You could have a very nice rod built just for him for the same (or less) as the Winston Passport or Reddington rod. Shoot me an email if you think you'd like to see what I can do for you.

 

Steve

[ditz2 0]

You might think about a good quality glass rod. Some of which are similar to bamboo but much lighter. Eagle Claw markets some cheap ones that are fair for $30. Glass is also more durable than graphite and will withstand more abuse. .....