Elbe Rods

[FlyFanatic]

Hey guys, ive been going through the archives a bit looking through posts about budget fly rods and one name kept reappearing, elbe.

Does anybody know if they make rods in the 2/3wt region? And if so, where can i get them or who can i contact. Last q, what prices?

Thanx for the help!

P.S. Herman, im timing ur reply..

[Halfstone]

Hi FlyFanatic,Elbe rods go between R220-300 here in Grahamstown,there are three models available.The first model is a cheap R64-90 "Starter Pack" glass/ composite rod 2pcs or 3pcs,I don't rate or recommend these rods at all.The other two models in the R220-300 range as mentioned above are the Pro-Series and Slipstream.The pro-series is a nice budget rod with medium-fast action,as expected the action and finish isn't of Xplorer Classic2 quality but the rod is very usefull when teaching newbies and can handle a lot of beginner-type abuse.The pro-series is not the lightest rod and I would'nt recommend getting it if you intend using it for a full day's fishing.The slipstream is a bit lighter but again not as light as a Xplorer Classic2,the action also is a bit softer (more medium than fast unlike the pro-series).So far I'm aware Elbe don't make 2/3wt rods.I don't use my elbe (6wt 9') very often but I do use it when I go into very difficult terraine,I would rather break a R250 elbe on a fall than my precious obselete 1980's Daiwa Osprey.

[Halfstone]

Hi Guys
I'm about to add another Elbe Pro-Series rod to my rod collection and for the first time in many years I'm going to get a 4wt(the last 4wt I had was a 1994 Silstar 8' with a super stiff fast action,an eight foot plank is maybe a better discription).As mentioned before the action and finish of the rod is'nt of Xplorer Classic2 quality and I would love to have a Xplorer Classic2 but I don't have the $$ for it now.I felt the weight of the Elbe vs the Xplorer C2 in the shop this morning and although the 4wt Elbe was a bit heavier than the 4wt Xplorer Classic2 the difference was'nt that noticable,unlike the new 8,6 6wt Elbe pro-series which felt heavier than a Xplorer C2 9' 8wt.The rod will be tested tomorrow on a "scientific evaluation" of health on carp on Martin Davies' fish farm at Rhodes University,I'll give a full report on the "scientific evaluation" tomorrow

[Halfstone]

Apologies for the late reply.I also managed to do some fishing in the surrounding dams in Grahamstown,namely Greys and Doug's dams.Yesterday I first went to Greys Dam and caught a +-1kg bass,after being irritated by bluegill for about half an hour I went to Doug's Dam and caught another +-1/2 kg bass in submerged trees.The 4wt 8.6' Elbe handled very well and has plenty of backbone(almost too much for a 4pound tippet),during the test run on the fishfarm I found that one needs to be a bit carefull when striking and playing fish,using light tippets from 6pounds down.With a 6pound tippet I could still control the fish to a certian degree but when I stepped down to a 4pound tippet,I was broken off a few times on striking and playing fish(those damn pipes!!).Although this is partly due to technique,it's also due to the fast action of the Pro-Series rod.A pleasing aspect of the rod is that it handles the short cast quite well,considering it's price range,ok-ok it's no-where near the Xplorer Classic or a Sage but it certianly handles the short-cast better than my four year old 6wt 9' Elbe.The rod handles a 5wtWF floating line comfortably and is very responsive to adjustments while casting like changing direction of a flyline and casting into a headwind.All in all the Elbe 4wt 8.6' is a nice budget rod and is worth every cent of the R200 it cost me.

[Andre]

Although Elbe produce some flyrods, they are more into conventional and deep searods. I have a few Elbe trolling rods and they are strong and heavy. My Elbe surf rods are really cheap and nasty, with very little to turn you on if you are looking for anything of remote quality. The threads are untudy, the reel seat is mis aligned and the guides are rusting, even after being cleaded from every outing. They do however do the job well enough, and have not suffered any damge, even after prolonged abuse. I look for a little more out of fly rods however, so won't look at Elbe fly rods. I think their flyrod range might be a bit of an after thought, being a company that is more focussed on other types of fishing rods.

[Halfstone]

Hi Andre
I'm by no means trying to compare the Elbe to the likes of Xplorer or Sage,yes they not the most pleasing looking rod so far build and finish are concerned and the actions are a bit on the stiff side(the Pro-Series and the Slipstream) for the designated wt's.Due to my association with the Fishfarm,I have quite a few inexperienced students who are always keen to go fishing with me whenever I get the chance to go fishing in the dams around Grahamstown,normally these students have limited or no gear at all and it is also in this context(bar the fact that I also did'nt have the tom for the Xplorer Classic) that I got the Elbe 4wt.I have mentioned elsewhere that the Elbe rod is not my first choice when it comes to doing a full day's fishing,they too heavy and the action is a bit stiff.I use my Elbe rods only when needed because they can take huge amounts of abuse.Hopefully I'll have a Xplorer Classic2 by the end of January