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

[Gwydion]

Hi guys, Im not familiar with the elbe rods but I do understand why ppl are buying "cheaper" rods.. I have the same problem.. Why spend 1, 2, 3 or more thousand on a fly rod?? yes it mite last longer, have a lifetime guarantee and probably perform better but I honestly cant see my self spending that amount on a fly rod.. SO.. What is an acceptible rod brand and under the 1k or 500r mark? I bought a silver fox 5/6 wt rod about a year ago and I find it to be a brilliant rod?? I spent about 300 bucks for it. So now im looking for about a 8/9 wt but cant seem to get past the idee that I am probably going to spend a fortune on a new rod. Thoughts on this?

[Andre]

Hi guys, Im not familiar with the elbe rods but I do understand why ppl are buying "cheaper" rods.. I have the same problem.. Why spend 1, 2, 3 or more thousand on a fly rod?? yes it mite last longer, have a lifetime guarantee and probably perform better but I honestly cant see my self spending that amount on a fly rod.. SO.. What is an acceptible rod brand and under the 1k or 500r mark? I bought a silver fox 5/6 wt rod about a year ago and I find it to be a brilliant rod?? I spent about 300 bucks for it. So now im looking for about a 8/9 wt but cant seem to get past the idee that I am probably going to spend a fortune on a new rod. Thoughts on this?

I wouln't get too strung out on how much other guys are prepared to pay for rods and reels etc. there will always be someone who has a more expansive car, house, etc. so be happy with what you have, and strive to enjoy your fishing as much as the next guy. Some of the best fly fishermen, fish with the cheapest rods, and still catch more fish that the guys who have the most expensive stuff. One day you will decide on a brand that you like, and gives you everything you need, and you will probably stick with that brand for life.

[E.T.]

Just a spanner in the wheel......

Why dont you opt for the Sensation rods. I needed a rod quick to go and fish the Vaal and didnt have time to finish my Scott blank, so I decided on a budget rod and tested out all the el-cheapos.

I bought a 6wt 4 piece Sensation MKII something something and the rod casts and handles superbly. It came with a detachable fighting butt and I am very impressed. I fish all my rods hard and I had no problems with the rod whatsoever. It got mine for R550.00. They also have a Sensation Viking which is not bad at about R250.00. This rod also casts very nicely. It has the Fuji wannabe graphite reelseat on, but if you take a rod out like that on the Vaal and you break it, tough....buy another one.

Now I paid close attention to detail like wraps, flexcoat over wraps,over all look and feel,etc,etc.
And these Sensations was in my opinion better to look at than some of the other rods in the bracket of R250-R1000.

Elbe??? Aint bad I have one, but I dont like it cause I struggle my behind off to cast it. This rod is a 6wt. I never fish with it, because casting it takes a lot of effort. The Xploder I broke was a sweet rod and that rod handled lekker on the Vaal. The Punishment the rod went through over a time of 4 years is remarkable. Did it break whilst fishing? Nope! It broke by mistake.....

Go and have a look at the Sensations and all the other El-Cheapos and cast all of them and make your own mind up, based on what you see and feel.....

[Ryan]

Hi guys, Im not familiar with the elbe rods but I do understand why ppl are buying "cheaper" rods.. I have the same problem.. Why spend 1, 2, 3 or more thousand on a fly rod?? yes it mite last longer, have a lifetime guarantee and probably perform better but I honestly cant see my self spending that amount on a fly rod.. SO.. What is an acceptible rod brand and under the 1k or 500r mark? I bought a silver fox 5/6 wt rod about a year ago and I find it to be a brilliant rod?? I spent about 300 bucks for it. So now im looking for about a 8/9 wt but cant seem to get past the idee that I am probably going to spend a fortune on a new rod. Thoughts on this?

Hey Gwydion,

Not sure how familiar you are with Gani's Witbank? But do yourself a favour and head through there some time.. he is probably one of the cheapest fly tackle retailers on the market.. Give them a shout on (013)6927199.. When I last checked they were selling the Stealth Magnum + for R750.. Real BARGAIN!!

Lakka

Retail prices from Stealth..
MAG 9064 9’ 6 4 R2395 ... I'm pretty sure the magnum plus comes in a heavier wt
BOM9084 9' 8 4 R2895 .... The Bomber is a beaut, and you can probably pick it up for about R1300.. You won't be disappointed!!