Oh… and one more thing… Loomis having a rep for breaking… dude, you really need to think about who is gonna read what you put up here… if you wanna few numbers and figures to go along with your statements try this… I see about 10 TFO’s to ever 1 Loomis come back to me… and I have never noticed a big difference between Loomis, sage, orvis, or any other top manufacturer… and ive been in shops a long time… and sold alot of rods…
most rods break due to USER ERROR… not manufacturing defects…
My favorite rod is a Loomis and I heard the rumor about Loomis rods when I got it. I never believed it to be true either but they do indeed have that reputation. Gary Loomis’ quotation above is probably in response to that rumor. My go-to rod is a glx that’s probably 9 or 10 year old (bought from Chas Angler when they were still on Orleans Rd.) It’s been plenty durable especially considering the use it’s had and care it hasn’t received. I also concur with the user error part.
In fairness, my post did paint all fly shop guys with a broad brush and that wasn’t fair or intended. We’re ■■■■ lucky here in Charleston to have the great shops we have. It ain’t that way everywhere.
Most of you guys need to spend less time reading the marketing BS and articles and just shut up and fish! Do your talking with you stick and reel on the water and on fish. I’ll beat any of you a dollar to a dozen donuts that the better quality stuff will out fish and it will certainly out last most of the middle end stuff and just about all of lower end garbage that’s on the market. No other industry has to appogolizes for quality and they darn sure don’t give it away. Fishing tackle should be no different, if you don’t want to play the game, then go buy the cheapest stuff you can find then when it blow up or breaks and you loose fish go buy you another. I’ve used some of my higher end gear now for over 20 years and most of it work as well today as they did when I first bought it. While I could have gone with a lesser quality product I didn’t and while my initial investment may have been a bit on the higher side, amortized over the past 20 years it’s cost me less than $50.00 a year, besides I’ll beat ya most of us will blow that just about any given week of year. It really becomes a matter of priorities, personal perference and pride.
Yeah Mike… yer such a dirt bag… I challenge ANYONE to find a more helpful “shop” guy that will make sure you have the best gear you can afford AND help you along the way with ANY problems you encounter with your gear or casting than Mad Mike or a few of the other guys at the Charleston Angler… I know there a few of y’all on here that have a lot of experience and have your way but Mike has been my Yoda when it comes to flyfishin and the best part is… he treats every9one the same… like you are his best friend, ALL the time. “Shop” guys like that are VERY few and far between and ANY newbie or hell even an old “pro” could stand to learn a LOT from Mike…
Oh yeah BTW… I got a new March Brown 8wt 6 pc rod and I swear you can feel every centimeter of line load up and it sounded like angels were singing when the line shot out the guides… awesome rod and not very expensive… check 'em out…
seriously I wasn’t tryin’ to be a dick, and I know how some shop guys can be. I’ve been in shops for the past 6 or so years, and I’ve worked with just about every cliche’ type out there. But that statement did hit home just a little.
I usually don’t get into the interweb squabblin’ but sometimes I just can’t bite my tounge…No harm palmetto, and I don’t take most of this crap personal, but you wouldn’t believe how many people come into my shop and argue with me because they read something on the internet about a rod, or line, or whatever… You don’t argue with your doctor do you?? Sometimes I think people forget that I have no life… Fly-rods, reels, and gear is all I do, that is my buisness. Ive been fly-fishing for 15 years (im still a young gun) and I still haven’t even scratched the surface. The way I figure it if I ever get to a point where I think I know it all, and there is nothing left to learn I’m gonna start playin’ golf, cuz thats the only reason I fish. I love to see people come in the shop with that same attitude, but its more rare than you might think. I try to offer my help (what little I have to offer) to anyone who walks through my door, or calls me, or whatever, reguardless if they are gonna spend a dime… because thats my job…
Good luck to all… Dang, lets go fishin’ for god sake… too much talking goin’ on round here…
I challenge ANYONE to find a more helpful “shop” guy that will make sure you have the best gear you can afford AND help you along the way with ANY problems you encounter with your gear or casting than Mad Mike or a few of the other guys at the Charleston Angler… I know there a few of y’all on here that have a lot of experience and have your way but Mike has been my Yoda when it comes to flyfishin and the best part is… he treats every9one the same… like you are his best friend, ALL the time. “Shop” guys like that are VERY few and far between and ANY newbie or hell even an old “pro” could stand to learn a LOT from Mike…