[Alex MacDonald]

When my daughter and I were at the Ford on Tuesday, I spotted two other young ladies walking downstream. One had the most striking rod I've ever seen, a glowing raspberry-colored beauty. I asked her where she got it, and she told me about Elkhorn Rods in Colorado. When we got home, I checked them out on the internet. Turns out they have a ladies' line! I emailed the company to complement them on the beautiful rod I spotted, and the owner, Brian Chavet, emailed back his thanks even though it was Thanksgiving!! Their rods aren't expensive, but they sure are strikingly beautiful, so Lisa, Allison, and the rest of our Sisters of the Angle, take a look at them! I guess I'm going to have to spring for a new rod for both mother and daughter here before long! Not so the guys are left out, either; they have some very nice bamboo, for VERY reasonable prices. Brian said with some lead time, they can personalize a rod as well. The young lady I spoke with at the Ford was very pleased with hers. Here's the link:

http://www.elkhornflyrodandreel.com/index.cfm

 

[William Wallace]

Not only does Elkhorn have theirs but Wright and Mcgill has their " Fly Girl" seclection. They have a shorter handle to allow the smaller hands.

I have owned and still own a few Elkhorn and I like them. For the price they are not to bad.

 

[Keith Hixson]

How did you at the Ford?

 

[scottybs]

Elkhorn makes an awesome reel too!!!

 

[Alex MacDonald]

We did very well, Keith; Jeanette caught her first fish on a fly, and as you can see from the "Daughter's first fish" thread, it was a monster! She's totally hooked now In fact, we're taking the boat out to Fish Lake this afternoon for more! Weather wasn't bad, not too many people, the fish were relatively interested in our flies, and the views were great. Altogether a great day!

 

[Tom Bowden]

One thing I'm glad to see: Elkhorn does not mention that cork grips on their ladie's models are slimmer to fit their "smaller hands." Some manufacturers have done this in the past. It's a good idea for children's rods, but generally not for adult men or women.

I learned to make bamboo rods from Wayne Cattanach, a respected rodmaker and author from Michigan. Wayne taught us that a cork grip should be made so that there's a 1/8 inch gap between the finger and extended thumb when the angler holds the rod. He pointed out that most women's hands and fingers aren't as thick as men's, which actually increases the cork grip diameter that's comfortable for them. The dainty little cork grips may look cool, but you end up pressing your fingers into your palm, which can be very uncomfortable and possibly damaging to your wrist.

All of us, men and women, should test the size of cork grips before buying a rod. If you can't find a grip that you like, remember that it's easy to sand down an over-sized grip.

Tom