harrison rod

[andymck1]

I'm looking to build my first rod - does anyone know anything about the Harrison 9ft 6in 7/8 fly rods - ie how good/bad they are ? thanks

[Silver Stoat]

I've not built on one myself but have heard very good reports from those who have.

Dave.

[moustique]

I have a number of Harrison rods (though not for flyfishing) and they are excellent!

While a friend of mine did built a lovely 4 piece fly rod on a Harrison blank.

Where do you live? The Harrison factory is in Liverpool, and they will let you visit. Also have a look at their website www.harrisonrods.co.uk/ which has an excellent section on rod building - www.harrisonrods.co.uk/rodbuilding.htm

My opinion is that their rods and blanks are excellent value for money!

[finecanerods]

I built one on a 9ft 6 weight 4 piece blank and I think it is very good. Recommended for value and quality of construction and its British. Get what you want via Steve Parton or Hopkins and Holloway.

What am I doing recommending graphite!!! Then again it does fit in a suitcase and it is over my normal max of 8ft 6in for cane so..................

Gary

[Lighthouse]

I've built on one Harrison blank, a 12ft Tryptich barbel rod.

It is an excellent blank.

[John Gray]

For loch fishing, I regularly use one built on a 9.5 feet, two piece Harrison blank, rated 6/7. A nice rod with a medium action. I use it regularly with a Cotland 444 DTF6 but it will happily cast a DT7.

[grobbo]

Ive built a few based on harrison standard blanks in the lower line ratings 4 to 5. Generally I would say they are good for the money, especially since there are not many mnanufacturers in the UK. There are literally 100s more blanks to choose from in the US if you are prepared to order overseas and wait however. I would descride the blanks I have built as medium action, ideal for nymphing etc. They arent the lightest blanks ive come across but again, v.good for the money. Also for 10% extra cost they will laqeur the blank for you in blue/brown/green etc if you wait a week ore so.

All in all as a first build I would say you cant go far wrong. If you make a good job then next time perhaps consider trying to get hold of a more expensive blank to graduate onto, depending on what you can source.

Grobbo

[andymck1]

Many thanks for all your replies and comments

I do own some Harrison blanks (Chimera specialists, which incedently are excelent) I've delt with Harrisons direct and visited there factory in the past, and found them very helpful, thats why I'm happy to look at there fly blanks. But I knew very little about their fly rod blanks.

I've done quite a bit of looking around the internet and found a number of suppliers of harrison blanks - but very few reviews of there fly rods seem to exist, whereas there course fishing rods get masses of praise

Grobbo - the colours you mention, are these from Lathkill? are they of a good standard of finish?. I have had problems, in the past, with one rod I had re-varnished and redressed many years ago
by a local tackle shop

Thanks Again much appreciated

[bloke]

Andy
Buy the 10'7wt 3-piece blank made from the LOHRIC cloth...it is simply stunning.
Mick

[andymck1]

Hi Mick
Yes, Ive seen these mentioned on the Harrisons website, but quoted as not cheep!!
How much are they? do you know?
What sort of action are they?

Cheers
Andy

[bloke]

From memory I think they one I built up was £90, but that would have been my trade price. Better than anything Loomis have on offer and seriously fast actioned.
Mick

[andymck1]

aThanks Mick, and all
I think for my first rod I'll stick to the standard Harrison and see how it goes - maybe I'll look at the Lorhic if this one goes well.
Andy