Independent Reviews of our Fly Rods and Reels

In this section of our website, we will be presenting you with a range of comments from the most
important people in our business.  You, our friends and clients that use our gear.

We have asked our clients for their opinions, ideas and thoughts about what we do and how we do it,
but most importantly, have asked them to honestly tell us what they think.

Here is just some of what we have been told over the last few years...

Great Bay Fly Rods

Nate Wakefield - Canberra, ACT,  Australia
Great Bay MSR 805 - 5wt. 4pc. Fly Rod

Barry Gentle - Kiama Down, NSW, Australia
Great Bay Winding Brook 764 - 4 wt. 4pc. Fly Rod
Signature Series Fly Reel

Recently I was given the opportunity to road test the Great Bay Winding Brook 7'6" 4 weight with a Signature Series reel on the rivers and streams on the NSW central tablelands.  The combination
was finished well and felt good in the hand. But it was not until I started casting that I began to really appreciate the benefits of this delightful outfit.  Fishing to tight pockets with long leaders, small flies and plenty of greenery / brownery everywhere was a challenge, but the Winding Brook presented
the fly delicately and with precision enabling me to land a dozen fish I might not have otherwise.
Small streams, small fish, small rod......Huge fun!

Matt Simmons - Castle Hill, NSW, Australia
Great Bay MSR 906 - 6wt. 4 pc. Fly Rods

Now about the new rod, which in a word is just excellent!  The first day I took it out, a vicious cold
front had just blown through the previous night and when I arrived the next morning, I was greeted by sleet and a 40 knot "breeze". It amazed me how far out I could punch casts in these conditions. Also,
the line control of this rod was something that I really really was impressed with. This is perhaps the
single best feature of this rod and is a huge asset in these rough conditions. The finish of the rod is
really good too. I also had no trouble casting small dry flies either and most perhaps most importantly,
it handled a 2kg trout with ease.  Thanks for all your help, Steve.  Much appreciated.

John Harris - Rifflerun - Tinonee, NSW, Australia
Great Bay Isinglas 903 - 3wt. 4pc. Fly Rod

Joe Searl - Narrabeen, NSW, Australia
Great Bay Wiinding Brook 763 - 3wt. 4pc. Fly Rod

Steve as you know, my son Tyson began fly fishing several years ago with an inexpensive rod that
we picked up just to see if he liked fly fishing.  He then saved up and got another rod, but not quite
what you would call a top of the line fly rod.  Over the last year, he has been working hard and
saving up for a new fly rod and we are really pleased with our choice of a Winding Brook.
Tyson love this rod, it casts very well and is very powerful, particularly for a three weight, and has
already caught several fish on his new rod.  We are really lookng forward to the next season, fishing
the tight waters and small streams and we are again really happy with our purchase.  Thanks again.

This rod will do the work of a #7 casting, #6 bucktails, #4 wets and even #6 Crazy Charles SS hooks, weighted eyes and all!  I was able to cast this stuff a long distance with no effort at all.  When it
came to dry flies and cursing rainbow trout, I could get on them fast even at a distance.  It cast well
up close also. When playing fish, it was overkill for stream trout even on the Connecticut River.
The fit and finish is on a par with any rod out there and better than most.  The tip never once moved
on me.  The cork handle is just right. The spacer and reel seat are beautiful and functionally sound.
When it comes to casting, it is the best I ever had in my hands.

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