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Hi Chris, I had a look at the Thomas and Thomas fibreglass fly rods and they are nice. They aren't unreasonably priced but still out of my budget range. While I appreciate and admire quality gear, my choices run to the economy or second hand price range. Or am I just cheap? Cheers, Steve.

Hi luderick angler, I've often thought that the home made rod that I picked up at a garage sale was built on a Sportex blank. Orange seemed to be the common colour. This rod is just over 8ft and fishes nicely with an old Grice and Young centrepin reel that I have. Next time I head down to the nearest stretch of coast, about two hours drive, I'm going to try to fish for the luderick that I saw last time. Thanks for the offer of looking out for a used fibreglass fly rod. I just dont see them anywhere down here in Victoria, either at garage sales or second hand shops.A mystery, as there would have been thousands sold when fibreglass was the new, you beaut rod material. Cheers, Steve

I've come across a few people or companies who are making new fibreglass fly rods.They sound like they have a nice soft action much like the old or old style blackfish rods that are still being made.I have a garage sale bought home made rod that has a one piece orange hollow fibreglass blank which is quite soft in its action. It was probably made up as a bream or trout mudeye rod.I use it sometimes with a centrepin reel and its great for trout fishing.Still on the lookout for an old fibreglass fly rod. Probably wont go out fishing for a few days. The heavens opened up yesterday evening and all the creeks around here will be running a banker. Cheers, Steve

I do have a split cane fly rod made by Peek and Sons of London. I picked it up at a garage sale(Where else?) some years ago. The cane is in perfect condition except for a slight set in the tips(it came with a spare). The grip has been bogged up in one spot with wood filler and then varnished--not by me. I've thought of using it but a little scared of breaking it, then there'd be tears! A modern made split cane fly rod would be a nice thing to own and use but my budget doesn't run into such things. The fly reel that I found is a Heddon automatic fly reel. Never seen an auto fly reel in OZ. I think they never caught on over here as Australian fly fishers have always been a conservative breed. I'm looking forward to giving it a go on smallish trout. Could be fun. Zing!!! Cheers, Steve

My first fly rod was a Jarvis Walker Gold Medal made from fibreglass. Never liked it as even back then it felt too heavy and stiff.However, I'd like to get an old fibreglass fly rod to go with an older fly reel that I picked up at a garage sale.More for nostalgia than practical fishing. Dont come across fibreglass fly rods at garage sales or junk shops. Are they all still being used or have they been turned into short estuary blackfish rods? If anyone has a fibreglass fly they want to sell, please let me know.Cheers,Steve

I have three JW Black Queens, two with cork grips and red bindings, the other with foam grips with green bindings. They all get used. I read of a JW Scarborough 9foot rod in one of the earlier posts. I had one of these and really liked using it with a centrepin reel but stupidly sold it at I garage sale we had a few years ago. Regretted this ever since---should have sold the newer Black Queen. Cheers, Steve PS If there's anyone out there who has a Scarborough they want to sell, please let me know the price and location. I live south of the border in Victoria. Steve( The Mexican! )

I'd like to come to one of the float making sessions but distance is a slight problem---I live in Victoria! Cheers , Steve.

Do any Blackie Fishraiders know anyone that can do repair work on a small Steelite centrepin? One of them that I have wont keep the spool on and the plate on the spool has one of the screws that is loose. Also a spring or wire is visible coming out from under the spool plate. I'd like to bring the reel back to a useable state even though I've got others I can use. I've come across thin, stringy green algae at a few dams and slow moving drains or creeks near where I live. It's freshwater not estuary or sea but I'm wondering if it could be used for black fish, provided it stays on the hook OK. Cheers, Steve.

Hi Roberta, Thanks for the offer of sending down some weed and the fly. When I next head down to the coast, probably after Easter, I’ll see if I can locate some weed at a few spots on the way. It’s all part of the learning process. If I have no luck, I’ll take you up on your kind offer. I went on a Victorian based forum VicSalt and asked if anyone fished for luderick down here. One bloke did and posted alot of advice on spots fairly close to Melbourne, as well as gear he uses and weed locations. Very keen. I bought another rod at a garage sale on Saturday. It’s a home made one with an orange one piece blank. Just over 8 feet long and a very nice soft action. It was probably made as a mudeye or bream rod. I’ve already used it with a Steelite centrepin reel on a nearby lake and it handled redfin and small carp very well. I think it will make a nice estuary blackfish rod. And it set me back the princely sum of $5! Cheers, Steve.

Hi Roberta, Thanks for the welcome to Fishraider. This forum on blackie fishing contains a wealth of information for anyone just getting started. I'm looking forward to giving the luderick a serious go. I've pretty well got all the tackle and gear, I just need to locate some weed or find a spot with cabbage weed. Congratulations for doing so well in that recent fishing competition and with a blackfish too.Bonus! Regards, Steve.

Hello, I usually fish in freshwater as the nearest salt is about 2 hours drive away from where I live in Healesville, Victoria. A recent trip to Inverloch on the coast saw me trying to interest stripey fish that I assumed were luderick. Only had squid,bread and artificial sandworms( the toadies liked them! ) I'd really like to have a go at serious blackfishing but am I too far south to really make it worthwhile? I think I'm fine for rods and reels-various coarse fishing rods as well as nice old Black Queen rods and centrepin reels-Steelites, Grice and Young, Alvey 475B and an unmarked Russian reel that is really smooth running. Also have a set of blackfish floats, had to buy them as they're OZ made. I've really enjoyed reading the Blackie Fishing Forum and would appreciate any advice and help in getting started. Cheers, Steve