Green-Stix Manufacturing Co

Home Office:
Phone:
888-397-9240

Fax:
888-397-9242

Email:
steve@green-stix.com

 

 

September 2009 Review by

 Troy Basso

Creeks Bend Outdoor & Guide Service

Rockvale, Tennessee

http://creeksbendoutdoors.blogspot.com/2009/08/product-review-green-stix-5-wt-4pc-rod.html

Recently I was afforded the opportunity to complete a product review on a 5 wt rod from Green-Stix fly rods (www.green-stix.com). Steve Green is the proud owner of this Michigan based company. The company is still in its infancy at 4.5 years old but is producing hand built carbon fiber rods at a rate of about 77 every couple weeks. When I heard about them I must say I was a little skeptical but I ended up pleasantly surprised. Based out of Holland Michigan they have dealers all over their home state as well as in Oregon, Montana, and West Virginia. Now the rod is built in America and carries a lifetime warranty.

The rod I tested was a 9 ft, 4 pc, 5wt; they carry right at 21 different sizes and configurations to suit most any angler. Out of the Tube the rod aesthetically looked great. It’s a fisherman’s rod in that the Matrix, that I had, is pretty but not fancy; I tend to call it functional. Even the tube was visually appealing.
In the yard the rod cast good. I only had one concern and that was that it was too fast to put in a beginners hand. Since the rod comes in at 210.00 dollars retail it will be looked at as entry level price point rod. That however is only true in the monetary sense as I would have no problems fishing the Green-Stix along side anything I own, and those who know me will tell you that I have a few rods lying around the house, boat, and truck.
Once I got the rod on the water it really came into its own. Even as fast as it felt it reacted quickly no matter what amount of line I needed to cast. From 20 to 60 feet it cast very well, although I will say that 35-45 is where the rod performed its best.
Everything considered this rod is a big bang for 210.00. I hesitate to call it an entry level rod because it’s a fine rod at an entry level price point. I am looking forward to the 7wt that I ordered today.

 

A letter from Gary J. Cummins, a certified casting instructor and member of the Buckeye United Fly Fishers of Cincinnati, Ohio.....                                      

" I started fishing with a fiberglass fly rod in the late 60's which I got from "Top Value Stamps" and my dad's Sears bamboo rod. My father-in-law taught me to cast while holding a book under my elbow which was the traditional method of that time.

Six years ago I retired from teaching, joined the Buckeye United Fly Fishers Club in Cincinnati, took casting lessons and became certified to teach casting by the club instructors (FFF certified). Now I am a club certified instructor. I had to unlearn a lot of bad casting habits.

I upgraded rods over the years, buying moderate cost Loomis, LL Bean, and Bass Pro rods. After purchasing my Green-Stix 5 weight rod at last year's show, I have become aware of the significant differences in how rods cast.

I caught my first cutthroat in Colorado last year in a glacier lake at 11,000 ft. My brother-in-law was amazed (as was I) with the ease that I was casting 50-60 ft casts. There is noticeable difference in performance on rods and you explained yours to be different due to the carbon fiber construction in the base of the rod which enables my rod to case like a bullet. A number of fellows in our club, who own your rods, have bragged about them and now I know why.

I recently read in one of the fishing magazines that in the opinion of the author, rods from small US companies are usually excellent, much better rods for a given price as compared to rods of the same price range of even the top well known brands. I agree.

There is a selection and care in the building of Green-Stix rods whcih is physically evident, both in appearance and performance.

Thank you for a great product and I wish much success for your company, because I want to buy more Green-Stix."

Gary J. Cummins

CHECK OUT OUR

FLY ROD REVIEW

FROM

STEELHEADQUARTERS!

"The Matrix DLX Custom Fly Rod is my new rod of choice when chasing Chrome in the Fall through Spring and a real winner in the Summer for Smallies and other game fish! Powerful enough for Steelhead and Salmon, yet sensitive as well for the more subtle bite from a Chub or Goby!" .....Herb Imondi, Steelheadquarters.

Rated 60 out of 60

AAA rating

TO SEE THE ENTIRE REVIEW

GO TO

WWW.STEELHEADQUARTERS.COM

 

 

This beauty was caught with an 8' 4wt Green-Stix Matrix on the Pere Marquette River, Michigan, Walt Grau, Guide.

Green-Stix Fly Rods

are endorsed by Walt Grau

Michigan's premier fishing guide

The Spey Rod Flyfishing Outfitter & Guide Service