"Dan" lose wrote in
:

Frank,

Thanks for your response. I did indeed notice your advocacy of these
rods over the many posts I read. I have a few questions:

1) Given that I am a beginner, is a slow rod appropriate? Might I end
up by preferring a faster action and should I not therefore start off
with a rod that is more "in the middle" speedwise?

A slower rod is IMO easier for a beginner, faster rods will magnify your
mistakes. I made the mistake when I first started of getting a faster
rod..going to a slower rod sure made it easier to cast. Based on my
experience, and others here, the Stowaway is an easy rod to cast, and it
will get the line out there when required.

2) You say that where I plan to fish should determine rod length and
weight. I think I will, as I say, probably be fishing in the Eastern
Sierras. (Everything I have read suggests that that is the best trout
fishing in CA.) I believe this encompasses both lakes and streams, so
I want to make my (first) rod as versatile as possible. My thought was
for a 5 weight 8' 6" rod. Does this make sense, or is 9' better?

In your situation, I would go for the 8'6", however that is personal choice
on my part...either one would be fine.

3) Do you have any knowledge of the other rods I mentioned? Could you
put the Stowaway in context?

No, I don't have any experience with the other rods you mentioned. Having
said that, nowadays most low end rods (including imports) will do the job
for you...the rest is eye appeal and rod action. As has been said before,
if you can, you should test cast any rod that you are considering buying.
Cabela's has a 100% guarantee policy, so if you don't like the rod, simply
return it, no questions asked.

4) And, finally, the Stowaways cost $90 each. The matching rod case
costs $30. For only $5 more I can get a "kit". This would get me a rod
case, which I want, and a reel and line, which I don't. Do you have
any idea whether I could could buy the kit and return the reel and
line?

Yes Dan, I did this twice in buying the "outfit"...the reel and line are
crap so I sent them back for a refund, no problem. The reel is boxed and
the line and backing are in their own packages, making it real easy to pack
up and return.

Good luck on your search, let us know what you come up with.

Frank Church