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IMPORTANT
SITE UPDATE:
Visit the relaunched
Fish & Fly at fishandfly.com
Travel Rod Test
Manufacturer:
Snowbee
Model: Prestige
No of sections: 4
Length: 9'
Line weight: 7
Price: £160
Description
Over-size American snake guides with lined stripping guide and tip over
butt ferrules. Extension butt. Supplied in velour rod sack but no protective
tube. Five year guarantee, unconditional for the first year against manufacturing
faults plus warranty against accidental damage and for years two to five
there is an unconditional guarantee against breakage or accidental damage.
Testers' comments
Terry Lawton: Whilst I am all in favour of over-size guides, whoever
specified the guides on this rod got carried away - they are enormous!
But the butt ring was too small and the spacing erratic. The build quality
and looks of this rod did it no favours at all. This is a shame as the
rod is built on a great true 7 weight blank with a fast tip that threw
tight loops. A good blank is the heart of a good rod. As this is Snowbee's
top travel rod, it is a shame that it is not supplied in a protective
tube.
Peter Sutton: The second rod from Snowbee - quite different from
the Diamond. The build quality and finish was better, although still not
brilliant and I liked the large snake rings which help with shooting line.
I did not like the stripping ring, which, again, was far too small or
the handle and reel fitting which were, frankly, horrible.
However what I did like was the rod's performance which was outstanding
and given the rod's price quite remarkable. The rod felt light, crisp
and smooth with low levels of vibration. It coped well with both short
and long distance casts and easily cast the whole of the RIO Windcutter
7 line (100') with a minimum of effort from me, turning over the leader
and fly in classic fashion.
I liked this rod and I spent some time using it as it was such a pleasure.
If I was looking for a reasonably priced 7 weight travel rod I would seriously
consider this one. Please Mr Snowbee can we have a decent sized stripping
ring and a nice handle and reel fitting?
Summary
A lot of rod for the money let down by its appearance and build quality.
8/10
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