[speyhoo]

Hi,

I just got this Sharpe's Scottie 15' spliced rod. The snakes are shot. I'm working over the idea of putting new oversized guides on. It's heavy yes, but it's fun and I think it'll come into it's own when playing fish.

Is there anyone out there who has experience with these rods. I could use some advice on lines, line weights, guides, restoration or anything else relevant to the rod.

 

[stephen holden]

spliced scottie

heck ,you have just brought back a lot of memories of my early days fishing with the double handed rod.I started out salmon with one of those and an old greenheart grants vibration rod and had my first salmon on the sharpes scottie.I am sure a lot of guys over here in the uk used a sharpes at one time or another. The only advice I would offer if it is of any use is to try the rod with a 90ft Dt line and really slow things down and let weight of the rod do the work and keep things smooth and when you are fishing the fly round hold the rod in front of the cork grip,which will balance the rod better and make it less tiring to use the rod.hope you are soon playing your first fish regards steve-best wishes to al spey page users for 2007 !

 

[Neil]

Steven.
You took the words right out of my mouth.(Talk about bring back memories).
I had for many years a 14' Spliced which I used on my home river,the Lune in Lancaster.
I sold it a few back to a friend in Mich with a Hardy Zenith to go with it.
I was a young lad at the time so had lots of strenght to wave the big stick around.
Also used an 18' Greenheart for a while.Too much to handle all day long so got rid of that one.
Speyhoo,I cant remember what line I used on my rod its so long ago,but I would start with one of the Carron lines.Try a line one size bigger than the rod is rated for.
As for the snakes I'm sure there is a competent cane builder in your area that can help you out with the restoration.
I agree with Stephen about balance.I remember having to hold the rod above the cork and tuck it under my arm when fishing.
The nice thing about using cane to Salmon fish is the pleasure it gives one,whether casting or hooking fish on.
I also remember that when a fish was hooked you just let the rod do the work.The continuous bend in the rod helped to fight the fish.
Totally different feel than my Hardy Aberdeen I also owned which had huge brass ferrule on it.
Good luck with your rod.Let us know how you make out with it.Maybe a pic of your first fish on the rod.
Regards Speyladdie.:smokin:

 

[Tweed Dweller]

I too fished this rod! In addition to the advice already given, get a heavy reel, I used a Hardy st. John with a DT11S (3&6). It nearly killed me after a long day. I then put a 4.5" Perfect on it and - although a heavy outfit - it was far more relaxing to use. DON'T try and muscle it! All you will do is get frustrated. Rather swing from your feet - treat it just like a lazy golf shot. All that said, you will find no better fish tamer, and no rod I know is better in a big wind.
I used the 13' & 14' versions for many many years and find modern rods more difficult!!
And when you have tamed this monster there is a VERY rare 16' version!!!

A happy and not too painful new year,
Tweedside

 

[stephen holden]

Tweedside is spot on ,it is excellent advice to go with a heavy reel it really does help with the balance issue and I totaly agree about the rods being good in a strong wind.Just a thought tweedside the cnd rods are worth checking out it you like a true spey action and started out with bamboo rods you will probably feel right at home with them best wishes steve

 

[Willie Gunn]

Now if you are looking for a Brass Faced 4 1/2" perfect 1906 early check just drop me a PM a mere £1000 will close the deal.

 

[Norseman]

If anyone knows where I can find a Spliced Sharpes Scottie, I would be interested. I have taken to cane lately and I would really like to try one of these rods...something rather romantic about casting one of these rods with a Salmon #3 and a swingleaf Wheatley box full of salmon irons......ahhhh. Life is good.

If anyone can point me in the direction, I would be very greatful. Been trying E-Bay for some time now, and nt a lot out there.

Happy New Year everyone.

 

[Tweed Dweller]

Stephen, .....got the CND T-Shirt...http://www.speypages.com/speyclave/images/smilies

Just a thought tweedside the cnd rods are worth checking out it you like a true spey action and started out with bamboo rods you will probably feel right at home with them best wishes steve[/QUOTE]

Well Stephen, I already have a CND Salar, and at this moment x2 Steelhead Specialists are on their way to me as the result of a couple of happy trades on the ads forum here. I have used a Steelhead for a few hours hence I ave arranged for the trades as I loved the rod. The Salar is probably the best balance of length, power, weight and being nice to fish with that I have yet owned - in modern materials. Of all the rods I have sold there is only one which I still cry myself to sleep over. That was a 12' late type Jim Payne in perfect condition. It was a crime to sell it. However it was only really suitable for overhead casting.....but could it cast, tame fish and handle Isle of Lewis strongest possible winds.
If anyone wants a Winston DBF 8/9, I have one for sale / trade on the Advertising forum. A nice rod and an absolute cannon. I just prefer the CND rods. Also I want a Carron rod so if you buy it that is where the money goes!!
Happy New Year all,
Tweedside.

 

[Tweed Dweller]

Sharpes Spliced.

If anyone knows where I can find a Spliced Sharpes Scottie, I would be interested.

Messers Forrest, 1 Bridge Street, KELSO UK had the other day a full collection of these rods in sound but used condition all at about US$ 250-275 each, including spare tip sections. Their phone number is UK (0) 1573 224687.
Good Luck,
Tweedside

 

[Norseman]

Thanks Tweedside.

Much appreciated.

Paul

 

[speyhoo]

Wow thanks for all the great info.

I've been looking into the Carron lines and if the reviews are half true they must be some great lines. Maybe when or if the dollar bounces back a little I take the plunge. The 95' footer looks promising.

Weight was also a great point, more so, the balance of the outfit. I may try to add a lump of brass to the pommel in order to bring the balance point into the handle. It seems hard to find a contemporary reel that has enough meat on it's bones to balance out the set up.

Cheers,

 

[Norseman]

Another way to balance out a lightweight reel is to load up the arbour with leadcore trolling line, under the backing, it doesn't take much to balance out a lightweight reel with a heavier rod.

Cheers
Paul

 

[mvinsel]

14' Spliced Scottie Ebay closes Jan.11

Hello Norseman,
There is a 14' spliced scottie on Ebay right now, current bid around $100, do a lookup on keywords: sharpe rod . Its Item #150077728426.

I have spliced scotties from 7' through 13' and haven't desired to go any bigger than that. The 12', 11', and 10' are very enjoyable to fish.
These rods are very rugged, and it is a joy to not have to worry about ferrules.

-Vinnie in Juneau

 

[Norseman]

Yes I found it the other day, and bidding on it. A bit rough, but will be a good project rod for me and a buddy who is a cane rod builder.

 

[Lohi]

Another way to balance out a lightweight reel is to load up the arbour with leadcore trolling line, under the backing, it doesn't take much to balance out a lightweight reel with a heavier rod.

Cheers
Paul

I have a 14 ft spliced sharpe, which is being used when the sun shines and the mood is right. The biggest problem is indeed to balance the rod, as it is rather tip heavy as you all know. I use my Tana Spey reel, which weighs about 500 grams (17 oz) and it just about does the job. So if you had a lightweight spey reel, weighing about 300 g (11 oz) or so, you would have to add 200 g to reach the balance. To do this with a leadcore trolling line might be possible (not sure), but if you added that amount of weight to the rotating mass of the reel, you would increase the possibility of serious overruns. For this reason, I would say that the reel spool is the last place to put any additional mass, although it might seem to be a suitable "hiding place" for such purposes. Just my 2 cents.

 

[tackleman]

Try contacting Ron Grantham through the following url http://members.shaw.ca/pisces45/
Ron builds cane double hand rods, spliced and ferruled, and can help you with guide selection and refinishing advice. He may have knowledge about your rod or be able to direct you to a source of specific information.

 

[Eye Spey]

Line ratings for classic 'cane' rods

For those that fish these older rods (Sharpes etc), does the line rating on the rod match current line ratings or do you tend to line lighter or heavier?

 

[speyghillie]

Scottie 15ft

Eye spey,
Most people use far to heavy a line for these rods, i have been fishing with greenheart and cane rods for a couple of years, because the rods are so soft in action, they don't really work with a heavy line, the rod gets overloaded at the wrong time, better to start of with as light a line as possible and take it from there, Silk lines where so much lighter and some of the pld rods where rated for these lines, the worst thing you can do is use a heavy plastic line, you loose the feel of the rod, the other thing is to rest the rod between casts, and to fish your casts in a more switch style (more upright casting style), when fished like this you can fish a greenheart or a cane rod all day, with no pain.
Gordon.