A Few Words about Fiberglass Rod
    by Sam Drukman

My career as a professional rod builder and designer began in 1986. At that time graphite was the material of choice for premium composite rods. Most of the prestigious rod companies had already discontinued their fiberglass offerings.

As much as I would have liked to design fiberglass rods, the market did not provide the opportunity. But now there is a resurgence in interest in this largely neglected and often maligned material. By applying rod design expertise acquired over the last quarter century I am attempting to be part of the vanguard of fiberglass, reinvented.

Very Brief History of Fiberglass Rods

Fiberglass reinforced polymers were first developed during the second world war as a substitute for plywood in certain aircraft applications. By the early 1950’s this material was being used extensively to make boats and fishing rods. Because of its durability and lower cost, tubular glass rods largely replaced the split bamboo rods which had been the mainstay in the marketplace until then.

The action and performance of the early fiberglass fly rods was crude by comparison to the finer bamboo rods then being produced.  Serious fly anglers—providing they could afford them—still preferred split cane made by famous names such as Leonard, Payne and Garrison.

By the late 1960’s a few fly rod companies (Hardy, Winston, Orvis) offered finely crafted fiberglass fly rods that in some cases had actions to rival the best cane rods. However, by the late 1970’s graphite rods burst with great fanfare upon the scene. These feather-light wonders made fine fiberglass rods obsolete in the eyes of most anglers.

Basically, no serious fiberglass fly rod design was done after about 1975. However rod design itself has progressed by leaps and bound during this time. Computers design has ushered in a new era. By applying the lessons learned by being a leading designer of graphite and boron rods during the last two-and-a-half decades I am attempting to bring fiberglass rods back on the scene as a serious contender along with bamboo and graphite.

Our fiberglass rods have a nice medium action somewhat reminiscent of bamboo. They are appointed with a fine agate stripper guide and black nickel snake guides and tip-top.