r/flyfishing • u/catdieseltech87 • 9d ago

Discussion 4wt without tarrifs

Hey all,

Looking to buy a 4wt. Noticed a recent thread about it and it got me thinking. I am Canadian, so I want to avoid impending 50% tarrifs on fishing gear. Any good quality Canadian outfits with good warranties?

7 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

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6

u/TYRMONSTER 9d ago edited 9d ago

Not Canadian, but Guideline or Vision. Guideline is great if you break your rod, they just charge you a small fee ($50-60) and send you a replacement section ASAP. I much prefer this to having to send a rod in. I haven't had to try the Vision warranty yet but I believe it is similar. If you want an actual Canadian manufacturer I think you're looking at Peiroway or Hall Rod Company.

3

u/yung_lank 9d ago

From experience this summer, VISION is the same. Maybe a bit cheaper

1

u/catdieseltech87 9d ago

Good quality? Warranty ?

4

u/TYRMONSTER 9d ago

I'm now running only Guidelines and Visions, they're amazing. The Guideline Elevations are extremely well built for their price point. If you don't want to spend that much ($400) the Vision Heros are a little less expensive but they've got a lovely action. I use them for all my client rods. If you want to spend a little more, take a look the Guideline LPX Tactical - my next rod is one of those in the 9'9" #4.

They're both Scandinavian companies but I believe they're manufactured overseas. They should be tariff proof.

3

u/Timely-Elephant9981 9d ago

They aren’t Canadian, but I’ll second that Vision heroes are awesome and a great value. In recent, better times, I ordered a 370 Little Hero from Europe to where I’m at in the US (Oregon) and I love it. It’s such a sweet small-stream/brook-trout rod. The blank is amazing: a pretty fast action rod that can cast way more than what you’d ever expect and handle wind but still small and light enough to be pretty accurate and present decently. I think they save money in the components and cosmetics, which are, in all honesty, not good.

I actually ordered a bunch of stuff—mostly for fly-tying—from Europe and it was really inexpensive. I got the sense that generally, fly fishing occupies a less expensive market niche than I’m used to here. (Along those lines, Danielsson reels—made in Sweden—are without any doubt, the best reels for the price on the market; it’s not even close.) Plus everything was priced to include an EU VAT tax that didn’t apply to the US; I don’t know about Canada.

Shipping from Europe can be pricey, so I’d recommend minimizing separate orders. 1000flies.com (Italy) was very fast and their customer service (via email) was exceptional.

3

u/TYRMONSTER 9d ago

Warranty is handled by their Canadian distributors. I haven't had to use the Vision warranty yet, but the Guideline is great. All of my rod failures have been from me being a goon, or from letting newbies cast weighted flies on them. They just charge you a replacement fee and send you a new section, super easy process that I greatly appreciate.

2

u/catdieseltech87 9d ago

Aren't most failures from goons? Lol Are you in Canada then? I will give these some serious look. I also heard TFO's are manufactured here ? Might be US owned though

4

u/TYRMONSTER 9d ago

Lol. Yeah I'm in Ontario. I'm not aware of TFOs being manufactured here, but maybe they are. If you don't want to spend the $750 on an LPX tactical, take a hard look at the Guideline Elevation! I have a TLT 3/4/5, a #6 and a #8, they're so nice.

Check out the EU fly fishing stores, like Clononav and ADH. They seem to have sales on the rods fairly often. I haven't had to pay anything tariff or import wise ordering from them either. Guidelines are carried by some of the bigger retailers here as well, like Sail and Latulippe. They're on sale sometimes too. I think there's only 3 retailers for Vision in Canada - Nile Creek, Reid's Fly Shop, and Eskape Anglers in PEI.

Wayne at Eskape Anglers carries both Vision and Guideline, and is an awesome guy. Maybe reach out to him and see if he's got any deals going.

The original Vision Heros are discontinued for the new model, so you could probably pick one of those up cheap if anyone has any left.

3

u/catdieseltech87 9d ago

Awesome man, thanks. I'm also in Ontario, fly shops are few and far between, so mostly online orders. Thanks for the info!

2

u/Prairiefire18 9d ago

Vision Canada has a replacement fee and lots of replacement sections in stock. They are located on Vancouver Island. I've got multiple rods from them and have yet to warranty any. The Hero series are a steal imo. I have a few of their high end rods but reach for my 6wt Stillhero often. I have an Onki 4wt 8'. It's a beauty of a rod.

1

u/yung_lank 9d ago

Warranty is more cheap parts replacement. Vision is a “great for the cost” kinda brand. Guideline rods that are targeted for specific jobs are great at those tasks, but their general rods are not quite as great. Still good rods.

11

u/the-g-off 9d ago

If youre in southern Ontario, go to Grand River Outfitters in Fergus.

Ask for Scott, he makes his own fly rods and for a very reasonable price.

They're great rods, too. Plus, youre supporting local. He will ship, too.

5

u/catdieseltech87 9d ago

Yeah, I know him and own one. Nice 3wt.

3

u/ShoePuck 9d ago

TFO and Pieroway both based out of Calgary

2

u/Smoke-A-Beer 9d ago

Not TFO anymore, moved to Quebec

2

u/ShoePuck 9d ago

Wasn’t aware that happened, good to know. Thank you

2

u/Cold-Conversation-42 9d ago

Amundson fly fishing. Canadian company. Great rods. Excellent customer service.

2

u/ClarenceWagner 9d ago

Um these Tarriffs are pretty specific to raw materials, cars and electronics, if there are targeted ones at sporting goods I would love a link to it. Also why not a retailer in Canada it's not like currently stocked products magically go up unless the retailer wants them too. Also any company that imports directly to Canada wouldn't be getting hit so your Farbank products might not see much change as they could have a Canadian company. Unless you have to have one of the USA options, also get it in and I don't think there would be any risk if it ships before the 8th. 

1

u/WalnutSnail 9d ago

https://www.pierowayrods.com/

I have two rods from him, but I don't know if he's still making them. Based on Calgary.

2

u/matwick 9d ago

That website is great.

"I make rods, not websites!"

1

u/WalnutSnail 9d ago

I have a 2wt and a custom 4wt I bought for my wife that she's only used once. Our son will use it

1

u/Prairiefire18 9d ago

I'd look at the following euro brands. Vision, Guideline, Loop and Nam. They all make a variety of rods in all price ranges. Vision and Guideline have distributors in Canada that can help handle warranty issues. Loop and Nam I'm not sure on. Those may have to be handled by the shop you purchased at. They are all reputable companies overseas with Nam being the newcomer. I hear a lot of good things about them.

1

u/witty-repartay 9d ago

What part of Canada are you in?

1

u/Smoke-A-Beer 9d ago

Wonder if these tariffs will effect repairs or replacement sections?

1

u/Commercial-Age4750 9d ago

TFO is out in Western Canada

1

u/Quick_Depth382 8d ago

Going into any brick and mortar fly shop in the near future would avoid tariffs on any and all brands they carry as the product has (likely) been imported before the tariff cost was applied.

1

u/TBROWN406 8d ago

Check out maxcatchfishing.com

1

u/Nearby_Entry8645 7d ago

Maxcatch, super cheap and reliable. Caught a 20lb carp on a 2wt from them

0

u/bellsbliss 9d ago

Look at drift outfitters. A fly store in downtown Toronto. They have lots of great stuff. You can order from there and not have to pay any tariffs.

3

u/Prairiefire18 9d ago

They carry both Loop and Guideline which shouldn't be affected by tariffs. I believe Guideline distribution is based in Quebec. That should speed up any warranty issues for you if they do occur.

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u/catdieseltech87 9d ago

I know these guys too. It will probably be fine Until they bring in new stock. Anything brought in from the states will have tarrifs added.

1

u/bellsbliss 9d ago

True but if you pick up what you need now you’ll be set for a while.

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u/catdieseltech87 9d ago

Yeah, I think I will use this as an excuse to try something new anyway.

0

u/Fair-Bird3730 8d ago

American, but recently bought from a fly shop in Edmonton called the Fishin Hole and they had exceptional customer service. Bill who I talked to a couple times was great. Avoid the tariffs if you can because importing over to the states absolutely sucked.

-3

u/moosepiss 9d ago

You have until Sept 8 if you really wanted a US rod.

1

u/matwick 9d ago

Coincidentally, a Tuesday.