Western Canadian Fly Fishing Expo

[Kingfisher]

No Colin. M&Y from the coast will have a booth there also.

[Lornce]

Originally Posted by Flieguy

I think that some of the out of province presenters have sales on the last day because they don't want to ship all their merchandise back home. I will be there sunday.

Last year stuff got sold out pretty quick.

[bloom]

Yah, most of the best deals go early. If you're looking for deals, Friday would be the best, and Sunday the worst.

It's a good show...haven't missed one yet and I live 3 hours away.

[CDone]

Originally Posted by Kingfisher

No Colin. M&Y from the coast will have a booth there also.

Cool. Must have missed them in the listing. Shame Troutwaters won't be there, sounds like their new shop is shaping up nicely.

Colin

[bloom]

Yah...I always like the troutwaters booth. They carry some stuff no one else did and always had a few things for sale.

[osedma]

Originally Posted by bloom

Yah, most of the best deals go early. If you're looking for deals, Friday would be the best, and Sunday the worst.

It's a good show...haven't missed one yet and I live 3 hours away.

You're right! I'll be there Friday after office. I have the info somewhere tfo rods will be 30 off. Don't want to miss it.

[Kingfisher]

Originally Posted by bloom

Yah...I always like the troutwaters booth. They carry some stuff no one else did and always had a few things for sale.

I was just talking last night to Nick from Trout Waters in Kelowna. They just moved into a new store and are in the middle of getting the store all sorted out. He said to say hi to the guys out here. He also said he and Savas will be back out to the show next year.

Rob

[Lornce]

They have a nice shop out there, will stop in this summer to check out their new digs.

[MissFlyfishing]

Just found out I got the weekend off!! I will be going!!!

[qballs]

Picked up a NorVise today, got Norm to sign the board! Man, he makes that thing look awesome.
I have been wanting one for 15 years, can't wait to get home to try it!

[Lornce]

Originally Posted by qballs

Picked up a NorVise today, got Norm to sign the board! Man, he makes that thing look awesome.
I have been wanting one for 15 years, can't wait to get home to try it!

Congratulations its a great vice.

[osedma]

Nice experience in the show! got a tfo outift for 169 bucks in vemo and the best thing, this guy is gonna open a fly shop in nw.

[Lornce]

That's great we need one out here, most of the shops are in the shout and quite a hike for me to buy materials.

[Okotokian]

Good show, bought an 8 weight rod and some flies from fishtails.

A lot of the staff representing companies really need to work on their customer service skills though. Show seems to be a chance for them to BS with their buddies. I can't count the number of times I walked up to a sales person who was gabbing to someone, often a rep from another booth, where I wanted some product info or to actually buy something, and after standing there and listening to them yap about mutual acquaintances or their favourite river for a few minutes simply walked away. I would have come away with even more gear but in some cases it was just too much of a hassle to interrupt their gabfest. All it would have taken was "Hold on a second Steve. Can I help you Sir?"

[32-40win]

Seemed like there were fewer vendors, not as much to see, lot of spaces filled with boats. Picked up a Pieroway 10ft, 5wt Tactical. See how that works out.
I didn't spend a lot of time there, wasn't really enough there, that I wanted to look at.

[BBT]

Originally Posted by Okotokian

Good show, bought an 8 weight rod and some flies from fishtails.

A lot of the staff representing companies really need to work on their customer service skills though. Show seems to be a chance for them to BS with their buddies. I can't count the number of times I walked up to a sales person who was gabbing to someone, often a rep from another booth, where I wanted some product info or to actually buy something, and after standing there and listening to them yap about mutual acquaintances or their favourite river for a few minutes simply walked away. I would have come away with even more gear but in some cases it was just too much of a hassle to interrupt their gabfest. All it would have taken was "Hold on a second Steve. Can I help you Sir?"

I had the reverse problem. I was trying to hit on Paula and April and they kept brushing me off to sell T-shirts.

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by BBT

I had the reverse problem. I was trying to hit on Paula and April and they kept brushing me off to sell T-shirts.

Were you the guy standing in the puddle of drool at the Flygirls table? LOL

[fishstix]

Originally Posted by osedma

Nice experience in the show! got a tfo outift for 169 bucks in vemo and the best thing, this guy is gonna open a fly shop in nw.

Do you know where in the NW? Also when?

[vital shok]

I was drooling as the wife bought a shirt at the fly girls table I was sad that April left me to go tie flys. Lol but the wife was checking out there site and I was peeking over her shoulder so I got to check her out some more without getting caught googling her on my own..

[brianscott]

Originally Posted by 32-40win

Seemed like there were fewer vendors, not as much to see, lot of spaces filled with boats. Picked up a Pieroway 10ft, 5wt Tactical. See how that works out.
I didn't spend a lot of time there, wasn't really enough there, that I wanted to look at.

Test drove that rod when it was a prototype, not something I am a fan of.
Was just a prototype but it was poorly poorly built with cheapo components, hopefully the production models are better quality than the one I tried out.

[osedma]

Originally Posted by fishstix

Do you know where in the NW? Also when?

I think somewhere around bowness and he told me before summer. Let's see!

[pipercub17]

Originally Posted by brianscott

Test drove that rod when it was a prototype, not something I am a fan of.
Was just a prototype but it was poorly poorly built with cheapo components, hopefully the production models are better quality than the one I tried out.

i picked up the same rod too but i will be building mine from the blank
have been fishing pieroway since they started
also do alot of custom rods off there blanks
i can tell you that the components are way better then your avrage tfo or similar rod

[grinr]

Originally Posted by pipercub17

i can tell you that the components are way better then your avrage tfo or similar rod

LOL....that wouldn't take much.Can't complain much with my BVK's blank/action,but the components could sure stand an upgrade.
A lil disappointed I didn't make the expo this year,had out of town guest all weekend that left me a bit drained of energy and holding down the couch by Sunday.
Was looking forward to trying out a cpl new rods,but wtf,I guess there's always the back lawn at FishTales for that?

[brianscott]

Only component I have seen them use that I rate better than average is the Am Tac reel seats they use. Cork can be decent on a custom one but its all flash in my opinion. I have an opinion of the blanks as well, but I dont want to hurt peoples feelings. When you pay good money for a rod I would expect more from it. I would rather build from a dedicated blank maker. Dancraft used to be good till customer service fell off, Batson has some good rods. I would take those over Pieroway anyday.

I havent really tried any Pieroways rods for more than a few hours. I base what I am saying based on my limited experience with their product. I have even less experience with the boys running the company. After the first time I spoke with them, I decided it would more than likely be my last.

In my opinion their product is a jazzed up 20 $ china blank with low end components.
Even the reel seat is cheap, albeit its an upgraded reel seat.
The AW12 reel seat from American Tackle sells for 19.00 as a skeleton reel seat.
Say you buy 1000, which I am sure Pieroway has. This reelseat is on every rod they make it seems. Wholesale price is probably half or less than what the standard consumer can buy it for, and buying in that quantity will drive the price lower also.
Lets say their cost is 10$(I am guessing its muchlower) for the skeleton reel seat, a acrylic pen blank can be had for less than 1.50 when bought en masse. It does take a bit to turn down the blank, but they can be done in a few minutes with the right operator.

I will say that they do put some time into their custom cork. But once you have the jigs and presses, the process can be done without too much time invested. Looks nice... Yes, but like I said earlier, all flash.

Good on these local guys for starting a rod company. But these rods are locally assembled, not built.

For the money they charge, I would expect a better product. Having built a few rods myself, I can see where their rods fall short.

Rant over

[pipercub17]

^^^^^^^^^^
ok so you are not a pieroway fan and thats ok !
been building rods for a few years now and built off many other brand of blanks
i like there blanks 80% of the big rod companys get there blanks from overseas
when you start paying around$600 + you migtht start getting localy rolled blanks
casted over a hundred rods in the short 16 years that i have been fly fishing
i wouldnt put them right on top but they are well in there !
+ i would rather support a canadian company
they have treated me well !

[ryanheartssteelhead]

Been treated great too. My rod building experience is limited. 2 1/2 rods completed. One thing I have done is spent alot of time researching blanks. There is a huge difference in a Chinese blank vs. a Korean blank. The founder and rod builder (geoff) uses Korean blanks that are well built. I did a rod building course with him last year and there are no secrets with him. I asked him every question I could about the blank process. He was very honest and I learned alot. I have a couple Loop rods which I love too. Also korean blanks. The blank manufacturers build to the company's spec. So not all rods are for everyone. Personal opinions are fine with me and most others.
I would love to see someone start a rod building club in AB

Originally Posted by pipercub17

^^^^^^^^^^
ok so you are not a pieroway fan and thats ok !
been building rods for a few years now and built off many other brand of blanks
i like there blanks 80% of the big rod companys get there blanks from overseas
when you start paying around$600 + you migtht start getting localy rolled blanks
casted over a hundred rods in the short 16 years that i have been fly fishing
i wouldnt put them right on top but they are well in there !
+ i would rather support a canadian company
they have treated me well !

[bobbypetrolia]

Originally Posted by brianscott

Only component I have seen them use that I rate better than average is the Am Tac reel seats they use. Cork can be decent on a custom one but its all flash in my opinion. I have an opinion of the blanks as well, but I dont want to hurt peoples feelings. When you pay good money for a rod I would expect more from it. I would rather build from a dedicated blank maker. Dancraft used to be good till customer service fell off, Batson has some good rods. I would take those over Pieroway anyday.

I havent really tried any Pieroways rods for more than a few hours. I base what I am saying based on my limited experience with their product. I have even less experience with the boys running the company. After the first time I spoke with them, I decided it would more than likely be my last.

In my opinion their product is a jazzed up 20 $ china blank with low end components.
Even the reel seat is cheap, albeit its an upgraded reel seat.
The AW12 reel seat from American Tackle sells for 19.00 as a skeleton reel seat.
Say you buy 1000, which I am sure Pieroway has. This reelseat is on every rod they make it seems. Wholesale price is probably half or less than what the standard consumer can buy it for, and buying in that quantity will drive the price lower also.
Lets say their cost is 10$(I am guessing its muchlower) for the skeleton reel seat, a acrylic pen blank can be had for less than 1.50 when bought en masse. It does take a bit to turn down the blank, but they can be done in a few minutes with the right operator.

I will say that they do put some time into their custom cork. But once you have the jigs and presses, the process can be done without too much time invested. Looks nice... Yes, but like I said earlier, all flash.

Good on these local guys for starting a rod company. But these rods are locally assembled, not built.

For the money they charge, I would expect a better product. Having built a few rods myself, I can see where their rods fall short.

Rant over

Wow. Impressive rant it was. The thread was going so well with everyones comments about the show, then you turn it into a 5 paragraph post about how much you hate Pieroway rods. Nicely done.
According to your math, these rods should be $31.50; I guess a blank, reel seat and componants are the only cost involved in selling a rod.
Judging by the traffic and sales in the Pieroway booth last weekend there are many others that disagree with you. Probably many that spend more time fishing and less time bashing a company behind a keyboard.
For the record, I like Pieroway. Always been treated well by them. Own 5 or 6 rods. Never had a problem. Casted many other rods too, always go back to my Pieroway's. Everyone is entitled to an opinion tho.
Back on topic; I had an amazing time at the show. Met alot of old faces and alot of new ones too. There was a little something for everyone from rods to flies to demonstrations to seminars. I ended up picking up a new drift boat....yessssss.

[Dust1n]

Im sticking up for Peiroway. They have been good to me, at the expo they never had the color and size of the hat I wanted so they gave me one for 10 bucks off.

[Jayhad]

Originally Posted by brianscott

Only component I have seen them use that I rate better than average is the Am Tac reel seats they use. Cork can be decent on a custom one but its all flash in my opinion. I have an opinion of the blanks as well, but I dont want to hurt peoples feelings. When you pay good money for a rod I would expect more from it. I would rather build from a dedicated blank maker. Dancraft used to be good till customer service fell off, Batson has some good rods. I would take those over Pieroway anyday.

I havent really tried any Pieroways rods for more than a few hours. I base what I am saying based on my limited experience with their product. I have even less experience with the boys running the company. After the first time I spoke with them, I decided it would more than likely be my last.

In my opinion their product is a jazzed up 20 $ china blank with low end components.
Even the reel seat is cheap, albeit its an upgraded reel seat.
The AW12 reel seat from American Tackle sells for 19.00 as a skeleton reel seat.
Say you buy 1000, which I am sure Pieroway has. This reelseat is on every rod they make it seems. Wholesale price is probably half or less than what the standard consumer can buy it for, and buying in that quantity will drive the price lower also.
Lets say their cost is 10$(I am guessing its muchlower) for the skeleton reel seat, a acrylic pen blank can be had for less than 1.50 when bought en masse. It does take a bit to turn down the blank, but they can be done in a few minutes with the right operator.

I will say that they do put some time into their custom cork. But once you have the jigs and presses, the process can be done without too much time invested. Looks nice... Yes, but like I said earlier, all flash.

Good on these local guys for starting a rod company. But these rods are locally assembled, not built.

For the money they charge, I would expect a better product. Having built a few rods myself, I can see where their rods fall short.

Rant over

Couldn't agree more

[pipercub17]

guess you going to have brand bashers with any brand of rod like me i cant stand tfo and echo rods
on a + note i had a great time at the show !
did anyone see the new uv fly materals at fish tales ! i grabbed me a big bag full