The best range of single handers ever made....
- Thread starter lewiswearfisher
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sewinfly
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Sharpes Aquarex 9'6wt takes some beating.
Sewinfly. ..........
Sewinfly. ..........
Surprised that the Enigma EMG Mk 1s haven’t had a mention. I also like my Hardy Demons 10ft #7 weights for sea trout - a bit of backbone to throw the flies out but soft enough to get some fairly open loops and for playing fish. A Loomis GLX Classic in 8ft 6 ins for a #5 weight is lovely for trout.
lewiswearfisher
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What line do you use on the demon mate, been having a look at them
I like a Cortland 444 floater and a Greys Platinum clear intermediate. I also overline them with #8 weight sink tips (Cortland as well as an old Sewincaster Type 3) which they handle well. My Demons are the old pre-Sintrix models.
lewiswearfisher
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Thanks alwyn, I wonder how they differentiate on the blank with added sintrix 220/330, stronger rod faster recovery maybe? I must say I like the look of the hardy jet and shadow which is the predecessors of the demon, I just think the reel seat and blank are much more appealing on the hardy demon, have you managed many big fish salmon/seatrout on youre rod?
I've had a few accidental grilse up to about 8lbs and quite a lot of sea trout on them and they seem to handle very well. I lost a decent salmon (around 15lbs) while sea trout fishing on the Dyfi last week - I'm still feeling the PTSD, hence why I haven't posted about it! But the rod handled the fish well. I think the entry and mid-level Hardys are great for sea trout fishing as they tend to have more moderate actions. It seems very hard to buy a top of the range rod that is suitable for sea trout fishing I think as they all seem to be fast actioned. I find it really off when manufacturers don't always specify the actions of their rods - it's the first thing I want to know.
lewiswearfisher
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I watched a sport fish review of the demon and they described it as middle to tip action with a lovely feel when playing fish and casting, as for the salmon ???, I lost a lovely hen fish last season 100% pushing a 20lbs fish on my 12ft guideline, spooled me twice and my leader snapped (15lbs maxima) below my knot and the know was still attached to my sink tip. I don't think I will ever get over that fish she was beautiful and powerful I just hope she made it to the spawning redds ???
Teal Blue And Long John Silver
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I'm pretty sure she will have made it. They invariably shed the hook in a couple of days and they no longer use their mouths to eat with once back in fresh water from the sea. Sounds like an absolute Lulu of a fish
lewiswearfisher
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Really hope so what a peach of a fish, the pool was a fast riffle going round a corner into a wide slow pool the fish took on the dangle right into the undercut bank.....as always its the one that got away, I went straight home and didn't speak to our lass for the rest of the day (sulking)....the joys of our great sport eh ??I'm pretty sure she will have made it. They invariably shed the hook in a couple of days and they no longer use their mouths to eat with once back in fresh water from the sea. Sounds like an absolute Lulu of a fish
Teal Blue And Long John Silver
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I think fishing contributed massively to my divorce. That and single malt whisky and chasing women and never wanting to see her dull as ditchwater family and................loads and loads and loads more besides
lewiswearfisher
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If in doubt get the rod out.......problems solved ???I think fishing contributed massively to my divorce. That and single malt whisky and chasing women and never wanting to see her dull as ditchwater family and................loads and loads and loads more besides
You remember most the ones you lose! The rod didn't fail me though and the hook just came free - just one of those things really. The river was so low with barely any flow so we fished with floating lines and small tubes. I was still hitting bottom now and then and would pull to free the fly, just on this particular cast the bottom pulled back! I consoled myself with two things - first it was not a sea trout, and second that the lost fish will have survived as the lack of flow and warmth of the water wasn't great for reviving big fish.
Personally I've always favoured Sage rods and over the years have been lucky enough to had various ones from the RPL, XP, Z-Axis, One and more recently X. Most of these have been 10' #7 with the occasional 10' #6, 9'6" #6 and 9' #4 (river). I really rate my current 10' Sage X and still fish my 9' #4 XP as a river dry fly rod.
Obviously all quite expensive but quality and come with a decent warranty (having accidentaly had a few broken over the years!) Worth shopping around and have had quite a few second hand bargains on the forum or ebay etc. I've generally always gone up a line size on these so worth considering.
I also regularly fish a 9'9" ~7 Loop Cross S1 fast-medium 5-piece rod, bit softer and slower than the Sage but gives a nice contrast and packs away hidden nicely in the boot of the car when I go away with the family. Worth having a look at their outlets section on their website for discount.
Last couple of years I also fished a Scierra SRX rod which was great for the money although I have heard from my local shop of several breaking and a 'bad batch' getting through their quality checks.
Obviously all quite expensive but quality and come with a decent warranty (having accidentaly had a few broken over the years!) Worth shopping around and have had quite a few second hand bargains on the forum or ebay etc. I've generally always gone up a line size on these so worth considering.
I also regularly fish a 9'9" ~7 Loop Cross S1 fast-medium 5-piece rod, bit softer and slower than the Sage but gives a nice contrast and packs away hidden nicely in the boot of the car when I go away with the family. Worth having a look at their outlets section on their website for discount.
Last couple of years I also fished a Scierra SRX rod which was great for the money although I have heard from my local shop of several breaking and a 'bad batch' getting through their quality checks.
elwyman
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I've heard good things about the new Vision Hero range of rods. Freddy Bainbridge, a well known guide in Yorkshire, reckons the 9' #5 is the best he owns in that size. Prices look reasonable too.
www.fishingmegastore.com
Vision Hero 4pc Fly Rods River Hero 9ft #6 – Glasgow Angling Centre
www.fishingmegastore.com
Teal Blue And Long John Silver
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Teal Blue And Long John Silver
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Never fished the HLS. I know it had a really good reputation. I did have the Orvis Helios 10ft 7 weight. It was faster than Shergar being chased by a cheetah. I once picked up an Orvis Shooting Star Double hander that a feller brought along to a Prince Albert Open Day. Cheap as chips and a really really nice rod. The Sage XP range were very good rods. I did loads with my 9ft 5 weight. Very dated now though. I gave a lesson recently and my client had one. Crikey it was like going back a million years. In my own opinion though the XP was the best series that Sage ever did. Nothing they have done since has even raised a half smile from me