G-Loomis / Billy Pate

TUGBOAT · #1 01-20-2004, 06:13 PM

Any Fly Guy's Here ?I Meen Fly FisherPeople ,I recently acquired(?$?) a G-Loomis Fly Rod 9' 9 Wt. Cross Current Pro 1- 1 piece Fly Rod & a GLX 9' 8 WT. 1 piece.I also have 2 Billy Pate Fly Reels (1)tarpon/(1)Bonefish
Heres My Deliema ,1 Piece ! Man0Man ,I can break a 6' Stand Up Trolling Rod, is there an advantage to a 1 piece over a 2 piece besides breaking down /storage etc.?I wanted one to try a lil flying offshore ,lil' more than I expected.I have NO Idea of Fly Fishing, The last time 've used one was in Louisiana at bout' 8 years old & it was used as a fly/flipp'n'/cane pole etc.
Should I swap ,are they matched to the reels OK ?
Thanks for Ya'll 's Help. ???
Scream'n Reels' [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Finster · #2 01-20-2004, 06:35 PM

Brad,

I am not familuar with the cross current but I know the GLX's and have never seen a one piece, usually three and sometimes four for the travel rods. Accually, I've never seen a one piece flyrod. [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]
As for the Pate reels, they are considered as one of the best.

Feel free to give a call, Mark my have some insight as well.

TUGBOAT · #3 01-20-2004, 06:41 PM

They are definatly 1 Piece .I looked them Over & Over,Even after I read on the sticker pro 1 -1 piece.Thats what I don't like ! After 1 trip with Me they'll be one Hell u va'
Stand Up Fly Rod !
Sceam'n Reels' [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Mark · #4 01-20-2004, 07:14 PM

I used to fish a lot of Sage rods (mostly RPLXi's but some XP's as well) in addition to some T&T's and Powells. Then I had a chance to try a Loomis Cross Current when they came out - anybody notice a bunch of rods on eBay about two years ago?! Those Cross current rods are now my favorite and I have a closet full of them. I have fished three of the Pro-1 rods (the one piece version) but due to my current living situation, they are not portable enough for me so I have the 4pc GLX models of the Cross Current series. The advantage of the one piece rod is the tremendous savings in weight. The one recommendation I would have regarding the Pro-1's is to line them up one size: fish a 10wt line on the 9wt rod and it will load a bit better, as well as a 9wt line on the 8wt (all this goes out the window if you are using sinking lines offshore). I found them to be slightly underrated as to line designation. Otherwise, they are fantastic. Additionally, the "expiditer service" that Loomis has for warranty repair/replacement is the best there is: you get a new rod in 48 hours, regardless of whether a fish or your car door caused the breakage (for little more than the shipping and handling that other manufacturers charge).

As for reels, the Billy Pate series by Ted Juracsik are about as durable and smooth operating as production fly reels get. The Bonefish model will match up nicely with your 8wt (consider using 50# spectra backing to increase capacity over dacron). I personally think the Tarpon model is too big for the 9wt and think it would feel unbalanced. I would try to either get another Bonefish model, or maybe a Tibor Riptide, which is also made by Ted Juracsik.

At any rate, you have some top of the line gear to play with.

have fun/
mark

Finster · #5 01-20-2004, 10:21 PM

Mark, interesting. I'm not at all familar with those rods. I have several Loomis Nauticos rods which I don't care for much anymore. And I've had Sage RPL's which I couldn't get rid of fast enough. Not that their bad rods, they just had no backbone and couldn't load for crap with a heavy fly.

I do like the RPLXI. But for now prefer the Scott STS series over most else I've tried. The first time I picked one up I was sold. Ever try one?

Mark · #6 01-20-2004, 10:52 PM

Chris,

I fished a few Scott STS rods in Belize several months ago. I think after a while it boils down to what best suits the individual users' arm and casting stroke. There are a number of nice rods to choose from in the marketplace. Not all Cross Currents are my favorite rod in that weight, but the overall series is very strong and the 8wt 4pc GLX Cross Current is the perfect rod for my own right arm (and I fish 8wt's a lot). I also use the 10wt and 12wt quite a bit in my travels.

Now, for some specific applications, the 10/11 GLX Mega series is more suited (although discontinued)to such activities as tossing poppers on floating lines to big jacks and such. And some bonefish destinations really call out for the 6/7 Mega, but those are pretty specialized uses.

For the real heavy stuff (14wt +) I sold the various rods I had and switched over to the Cam Sigler rods that have spigot ferrules and swivel gimbals already built in. The Cape Fears are interesting but once again, they only come as a single piece rod which makes travel difficult.

I still have a handful of misc. fly rods from various manufacturers and will hang onto them for the right situation. However, until something better comes along, my next rod will be another Cross Current.

I'll spare the readership any more boredom, I could go on with this for pages.

You have my direct email if you find yourself with little else to do but type/
mark

TUGBOAT · #7 01-21-2004, 04:43 PM

Whaaaaat? I'm glad I did'nt ask bout what type fish'n line to put on them ! Actually the reels came with line or whatever Ya'll call it. Fly fish'n sounds as complicated as GOLF !?I also have a Ross Reel/Gunnison G-4 ? The 1 piece is whats bothering Me as far as trans./storing etc.Where do I put it on a 20'tr ? [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]Thanks for all Your Help.
Maybe I'll try trad'n that 1 piece for a 2-3-4 pc. 10-15 wt for the "tarpon" Offshore use. ?Will that work?
I'd like to go for dolphin,Blackfin,WaHoo HaHA !
Scream'n Reels' [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Finster · #8 01-21-2004, 06:46 PM

I'd reply, but Mark seems to have all the answers.

Mark · #9 01-21-2004, 07:44 PM

A post like Finsters makes me want to slink off to the corner and keep my mouth shut [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

oh well -

Best I can tell, you have a 20' Master Angler, which does not suffer from the skinny gunnels of the other older 20's. As such, hang the rods in racks under the gunnels - you have PLENTY of room.

As for trading them in on multi-piece rods, go ahead and do so if that will simplify your life. However, I would suggest having even the multi-piece rods fully rigged and ready when they are on the boat - setting up a fly rod while the boat is pitching about and the wind is howling is not a fun thing. If I lived on/near the water, I would have a few of those Pro-1's on the boat just because I would never have to worry about ferrules coming loose, they are light, the simplicity of it, etc. However, traveling with them would be impossible. As travel is how I earn a living, they don't have a place in my bag of tricks at the moment.

For your listed species, I would think having three rods would cover what you are after: an 8,10, and 12wt should do the trick. If you have to narrow it to just two for your blackfin/dolphin/tarpon pursuits, I would go for a 10 and 12. Give that Ross reel a try, they have very good customer service and repair policies from what I hear (in case it has any problems).

One investment that will come in very handy is a casting lesson by a competent instructor (usually any fly shop owner). Or better yet, find a local fly guide who you know and go fishing with him/her for the day. Best to get going on the right path rather than ingraning any bad habits with casting, etc.

Finny will cover all the future questions, I've used up my speaking time [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Capt Chuck · #10 01-21-2004, 09:13 PM

Hey Capt Brad

In case you need more space while trapping those triggerfish, You can strap a pair of those 12 wt's on the back of your head with a velcro strap and that way you'll have an extra set of outriggers [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]