Gunpowder Stream Report and Great Feathers Fly Shop Blog

From noted rod builder Andy Manchester:

"Hello Well I finally found the time to devote to sampling the new offering From The House of Hardy. The Trout Fisher 8' 5wt 3.40 oz. is the rod I had the opportunity to put through it's paces ! The Line I sampled the rod with was and Orvis Wonderline WF 5 the reel a Hardy. The rod esthetically is eye candy the thread work and finish truly superb. The reel seat and grip design are reminiscent of the early Palakona The only noticeable difference was that the cork filler matched the cork color better on the new model and there was more filler than I would have expected. The use of filler and good grade cork rather than floor grade cork should be expected on production rods, If I were purchasing one of these rods I would defiantly seal the cork before I fished the rod to guard against premature loss of the filler. The rod has 8 guides including the striper personally I would have liked to see one more guide but that is arguably a personal preference not a key point ,again the norm for a production rod. The ferrule was very well done and the fit leaves plenty of room for the effects of time !

Now for the casting the rod loaded with little more than a leaders length of line,the action is progressive and the rod has that sought after and seldom seen punch, short precise cast were a snap,at the mid length 40' the rod was screaming for more line and the action was easy to feel ,I was quickly connected,no need to strip loads of line to pick up the line,the rod has back bone and pick ups were performed with ease.I was able to get 60' of line out with little trouble and the presentations were fabulous throughout !!.

I will not try to compare this rod with any other ,thats like comparing children this rod need not a likeness to any other rod and will stand on it's own ! I fell in love with the rod in the first 5 minutes and it wasn't the looks of the rod it was the feel and performance of the rod that won my heart. When double hauling with the rod the rod was wanting more not what you would expect from a 5 weight. I am sure heaver tippets for streamers or bass bug fishing the rod should handle a 6 WT with no problem. The only thing I didn't like was the rod tube cork cap plug the fit was loose and not my idea of how a rod should be stored again a personal preference and you could easily purchase a screw cap to fit the tube if you were so inclined.

Now I am bracing at the bit to cast the rest of the series and if they perform like this one the House of Hardy has hit a home run in my opinion. Tight Lines and Hardy Trout Fisher Loops Andy M "http://fiberglassflyrodders.yuku.com/topic/6582?page=9

Cheers,MikeK