[Moose]

I had wanted to get into spey casting for a while now, and dove in when an aquaintance had a rod for sale. I ended up buying a Fenwick HMG 14' 9/10, a nice reel and an Airflo delta long taper multi tip. Of course I did this before I began a modicum of research. I had 2 experienced spey casters cast this outfit and they both agreed that it was a european action, very heavy and not suited to the type of fishing I want to do (steelhead, salmon, medium sized river. I fish the American in Sacramento). Plus it needs a heavier line to properly load the rod, it may turn out to be a good striper rod (California delta).I understand that the CND 13' 8/9 Expert is an ideal beginners rod, but my question is, since I already have the 9/10 Airflo line and reel, what are your opinions on getting the CND 9/10 Expert?

 

[FLGator]

I HIGHLY recommend that you get ahold of Mike at redshedflyshop.com and get his input.

 

[flytyer]

Instead of getting a different rod, you should keep the Fenwick and spend the time to learn how to properly spey cast with it. Perhaps the 2 fellows you mentioned would be kind enough to teach you spey casting since you mentioned they are experienced spey casters.

The combination of that rod and the 9/10 Long Delta is actually a very nice casting combination. Yes, it is a medium, medium-fast action rod; however, it loads properly and casts the 9/10 mid-belly lines very well. If you want a slower action, simply go up a line size to a 10/11 mid-belly line, which is far cheaper than buying a different rod.

As far as it being too much rod for salmon/steelhead fishing in a medium sized river, I disagree with the folks ( i assume they have been spey casting for around 5 years since you said they were experienced spey casters) who told you that. King Salmon require a rod with some beef and butt power and your Fenwick has this. Yes, the rod is a bit heavy for summer steelhead; however, for winter steelhead it is just right.

In other words, the CND Expert 9/10 will handle to same lines and do the same things the rod you already have does. Just because it is a slower rod does not equate to a lighter rod any more than going from a fast-astion single hand 9 ft 8 wt to a slow action single hand 9 ft 8 wt makes for using a lighter rod.

If you want to get a separate rod for summer steelhead and silvers, look at the 7/8 or 8/9 CND Expert to get a rod for a lighter line wt.

 

[speybum]

Gooooood Rods

14 14 EXPERT 9/10 is a excellent rod for a beginner or a pro.
15 I have spent many hours with my Expert for many hours of demo casting and my Saturday on the River sessions.
The Expert Series are great for the speycaster.


:smokin:

 

[juro]

Moose -

If you are talking about the Airflo Long Delta 9/10, rated to 695 grains over 65.5 ft, I would say that it will match the rod beautifully. I also like the Airflo traditional 8/9 on that rod, which is rated to 725 grains over 85 ft. The shorter the head length, the less grains it takes to load it on average. Should be perfect!

Thanks for the kind words FLGator, I am sure Nobuo will be pleased with your enjoyment of the rods. I sincerely feel that the Expert series is among the most under-rated rods on the market, if you will allow my saying so.

 

[Moose]

Re:Fenwick rod

I didn't mean to imply that the weight of the rod and action were connected. I meant that this is a HEAVY rod. I was able to cast one friends Sage 15' 10 wt and the others Burkheimer 7/8. Both of these rods weighed about 1/3 or less what my Fenwick weighs. It is a big club of a rod. The diameter of the blank just above the grip is easily twice that of the Sage, same weight rated rod. I was considering the CMD for both a more forgiving action as well as a lighter rod, though both are the same line designation. I have been given a few impromptu lessons and can cast the line a good 70 feet easily with the more forgiving rods. Mine wears me out and I am able to pull off a decent cast (50 or so feet) about 1 out of three times.

 

[Moose]

Juro....

I don't know what the grain #'s are, but the line is an Airflo multi tip delta spey long with float, int, DI3, DI7 tips, 120 feet WF 9/10 F/S- WH.

 

[juro]

That line should work very well on this rod. Although the grains vary slightly from line to line I looked up the grains stated on the technical section of Tim Rajeff's site (http://www.rajeffsports.com , our sponsor).

You're good to go!

 

[flytyer]

Moose,

OK, I understand know that you are looking for a slower rod that weighs less than the Fenwick, which is a very powerful, fast and bit heavier rod. You have found that the fast rods require more precise timing and line placement for good spey casting, which is why only 1/3 or your casts turn out OK. And the slower rods are more forgiving of line placement and timing, which is why you are able to cast them more consistently. This is also why you are wearing yourself out with the Fenwick, far too much of your casting energy is being wasted due to inconsistent line/anchor placement. Get the placement and anchor correct and the line will zing out with the Fenwick; place it incorrectly and the cast just dies.

Now that I understand that you want a slower (more forgiving) rod I can tell you that all of the CND Experts are excellent casting and fishing rods with a slower, progressive action. I'm still amazed that CND is pricing them where they do because they perform so well. They are probably the best bargain on the market in the world of 2-hand rods.

 

[MJC]

CND Expert 1409 & Delta Long 9/10 Tips

Howdy Moose,

Your Delta Long Multi tip 9/10 weighs 690 grns.
In my opinion you will be very pleased using that line on a CND Expert 1409. That is the line and rod combo I use for 95% of my fishing and it is a very sweet setup. If you get a hankering for a test drive let me know. Take care, MJC

 

[Hammer]

lookin' for a club,,

what was that about the buttt dia.,,since i have a wooden leg ,one eye,back brace,6 fingers,plate in my head to hold what's left of the bucket together,,what do ya' want fer the club,,is this like the nighthawk,black eagle,,,or,?,any more info,,i like big rods,,cause my wife does!,an' she's the mean one!,wanna trade?,not for the wife,,i have some real nice rods,,they don't bite,hardly bark even????:hehe:

 

[Brian Simonseth]

Moose
I've used Sage(8124,6126)for years but I got a chance to use CND rods last year at Rockport(Skagit). Kush let me use 8/9 cus. I was sold. Then I used 7/8 cus. I spent 2 months on the GR had alot of fun with both rods, I now own 3 CND's I might have a fire sell on some Sage rods.:hehe:

 

[juro]

Flytyer, et. al. -

FYI the Expert and Custom Series have gone up $30 effective 2004. The Expert 1306 used to be $265, it's now $295 etc. Specialist rods will remain at 2003 prices; Atlantis remains at it's introductory pricing.

ref: http://cndspey.com/products.htm

The increase is wholly allocated to upholding the warranty program at the level we kept it in 2003.

 

[Moose]

Juro, MJC, et al..

I live in Sacramento, Ca area. Where can I get the CND rod? I don't see a dealer listed anywhere in Ca. Can the rod be ordered direct from CND? Thanks to all for the advice, and yes, a series of lessons from a local instructor are forthcoming.

 

[juro]

Moose -

Please email or PM me the contact info for the local flyshop that you've been most pleased with and I will see if they can handle the sale for you.

Or else contact one of the great dealers who may have it in stock and I'm sure they'll ship it to you if you'd like.

We don't sell direct out of respect for our dealers but thanks for your interest and I know you'll enjoy the rod!

 

[MJC]

Howdy Moose...

I've sent you a PM.

 

[flytyer]

Juro,

Even with a $30.00 price increase, In my opinion the CND Experts and Customs are the best values in the 2-hand rod world.

 

[ChromeFever]

CND

I would agree that they sre still a deal. I am just glad you didnt raise the price on the Skagit Specialist!

 

[Hammer]

huh!?

wanna get rid of the club?,what's the dimension on the thing?,louisville slugger's are my bag!,,,how old is this rod,wasn't the HMG an eighties deal?,,anyone?

 

[t_richerzhagen]

? for Juro

"The increase is wholly allocated to upholding the warranty program at the level we kept it in 2003."

Juro that sounds like thesse are not as durable as the Specialist series or just more of them out there that can get broken?