[TheCodFather]

is this a good rod for a beginner? Also, does anyone have one for sale? I'm thinking of getting a reddington reel with it, any tips i should know before i invest?

 

[fredaevans]

Great 'stiff/fast' rod for throwing tips.

But as an all day rod it will grind you down. I throw up to 300 grain Big Boy heads with this and it's a 'cannon' for them. For use with a 'dry line' it's my very last choice of the 9 spey's I've got.
fae

 

[flytyer]

I don't like this rod or any of the other GL3 spey rods. They are too slow for me. They have a powerful tip but the rod is slowed down in the middle section and I don't like this, even though the rod will do what Fred says.

If you are looking to spend less that the $700.00 area of the top spey rods, look at St. Croix or Redington's $250.00 spey rods. I like them better than the GL3's. More progressive loading and smoother casting. Granted there are not in the same league as the T&T's or G.Loomis GLX's I use. But as a biginner are you going to be casting 100 feet?

 

[Ol Rich]

I support Flytyer's recommendation of St. Croix and Redington although I have not cast the Redington rods. The St. Croix 14' with a WindCutter 8/9/10 with tips will cover about any situation you will encounter. The combination is very easy to cast and you can add the Upgrade for even more versitility. The rod will easly cast the Upgrade and a #VI sink tip 80 to 90 ft. As you gain experience 100' casts are certainily within the rods capibilities. You don't have a lot of money tied up and have a system that will handle most situations. If I could have only one rod and line this is the combination I would use. The limitation of one rod and line would probably be a result of minimizing the investment.

Rich