Question about a glass rod

[RedSpey]

My friend just picked up (for free at a yard sale) a glass rod (I assume, I'm new at this) made by Wright and McGill. It's labeled a "Sweetheart" 2A-9 and has the "Eagle Claw" insignia with a '63 underneath it. On the other side of the rod is the name "Dr. A J Bartrude". I don't have pics of it, but I thought you all may be able to tell me more about it.

First, I've never fished a rod other than graphite. My friend has never fly-fished, but after seeing me fish he wants to give it a try. This rod seems like it has a very slow action. Would this be a good rod for him to begin with? It's got an old Pfleuger Medalist reel, too.

Thanks for the help!
RedSpey

[Nooksack Mac]

Between the pre-WW II era of bamboo and hollow steel (really!) rods, and the triumphent introduction of graphite around 1974, we all fished with fiberglass rods. Wright & McGill's were popular, utilitarian, every-day fly rods. Glass rods are heavier and slower than graphite, though lighter than bamboo. They'll fish well enough at ordinary distances, and some still favor them for small streams and special uses like chironomid pupa fishing.

[wet line]

There are some good things to be said for glass rods. They aren't as brittle as the graphites for one. Fish play better on glass in my opinion.
They aren't the casting machines like graphite but fishable distances are quite doable. I own several, some Conlons, Silaflex and Fenwicks. All of these rods will put out 60 feet of line in my very unskilled hands.
The older, and I presume the newer, glass rods were rated to cast at least 2 weights of lines and the better glass rods will handle 3 different line weights. It has to do with the action and how the rods load. Myself I enjoy using glass but mainly fish with graphite. Most of the old rods I have are starting to get tired and so they are semi retired.

Dave

[Randy Knapp]

Both rod and reel should give several lifetimes of service. It will just be a matter of figuring which modern line configuration meets your particular casting style. I have been using Pflueger Medalists exclusively for years for all species and waters and two of my favorite and most used rods are glass although I also use graphite also. The nice thing about glass is how much abuse they can take. They are practically indestructible and not near as brittle as graphite. However, they will still break in a car door, electric window, or trunk lid...the demise of most rods.

Randy

[wrench]

How long is that old WM? Eight feet or so it will be a nice functional rod, probably using a 6wt or 7wt. Over eight feet you start to get a bit too heavy with glass. I have a bunch of glass rods and don't think I have fished an (ugh) black rod all year. Put it to good use and enjoy!!

[RedSpey]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. It seemed like most guys liked to fish glass, so I think I'll tell my buddy to give it a shot with that rod. Of course, I'll have to try it out myself

RedSpey