Diamondback Classic Trout???

[elcamino89]

Happy Super Bowl Sunday,
Looking for confirmation on the model of this fly rod. It has all the looks and markings of a Diamondback Classic Trout, including the case it arrived in... except it doesn't say Diamondback on the butt section. It just has the S and 8656 above the cork. Did the typical internet search and all the pictures of a Diamondback Classic Trout have the script on the butt section.

Any information you might help to help confirm the model of this rod is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[JG63]

Happy Super Bowl Sunday,
Looking for confirmation on the model of this fly rod. It has all the looks and markings of a Diamondback Classic Trout, including the case it arrived in... except it doesn't say Diamondback on the butt section. It just has the S and 8656 above the cork. Did the typical internet search and all the pictures of a Diamondback Classic Trout have the script on the butt section.

Any information you might help to help confirm the model of this rod is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

This is sort of confusing to me as Diamondback had evolved from REC components in Stowe Vermont - they had a good run making LL Bean “Double L” rods and several other in the Bean catalog. I don’t profess to be an expert in the lineage of Diamondback … the case in your picture is the same case that Cortland used for their Precision ll machined reel seat with wood spacer series rods and THOSE rods were built by St. Croix along with the Cortland branded GRF-1000 series (pictured). Those GRF rods had a similar black anodized all aluminum seat as your rod in the picture. Did REC components pair with St. Croix at some point? Anyone? I don’t remember REC/Diamondback ever being associated with Cortland despite the label on your rod case in the photo - again I’m NO expert but was working the retail market in this time frame - time for Shag and Scoob to go check out the basement so we can solve this mystery …

 

[elcamino89]

This is sort of confusing to me as Diamondback had evolved from REC components in Stowe Vermont - they had a good run making LL Bean “Double L” rods and several other in the Bean catalog. I don’t profess to be an expert in the lineage of Diamondback … the case in your picture is the same case that Cortland used for their Precision ll machined reel seat with wood spacer series rods and THOSE rods were built by St. Croix along with the Cortland branded GRF-1000 series (pictured). Those GRF rods had a similar black anodized all aluminum seat as your rod in the picture. Did REC components pair with St. Croix at some point? Anyone? I don’t remember REC/Diamondback ever being associated with Cortland despite the label on your rod case in the photo - again I’m NO expert but was working the retail market in this time frame - time for Shag and Scoob to go check out the basement so we can solve

 

[Bamboozle]

Diamondback was purchased by Cortland around 2009 and soon moved production to China.

Later when Cortland decided to discontinue the Diamondback GLASS series of rods, Mike McFarland of McFarland Rods Company purchased the mandrels and the remaining fiberglass cloth.

I don't know for sure if it was both fiberglass & graphite, but for awhile after Mike bought the former Vermont Diamondback stuff, he was finishing Chinese Diamondback blanks for Cortland.

I know the original Diamondback glass rods made in Vermont blanks were black and the Chinese blanks were a deep blue color, but I'm not sure if the graphite blanks followed that color change.

Hope this helps a little.

 

[elcamino89]

Thanks for the great information. Didn’t realize they also made rods for LL Bean.

I did reach out to Diamondback, and heard back from Joe Goodspeed. He said since the Diamondback logo wasn’t on the rod, and just the S, he believes it was probably a salesman model. And that it’s a gentle carbon action rod, best with a 6 weight line.

 

[ROVERT]

Diamondback was purchased by Cortland around 2009 and soon moved production to China.

I would have said it was considerably earlier than 2009. I have a Diamondback that has been back for repair twice. The first time was 2001 or 2002 and I'm pretty sure it went to Cortland both times.

 

[Bamboozle]

I must be wrong because AI says it was 1998 with the end coming around 2006. That coincides with when I remember Mike McFarland telling me he was buying the mandrels, etc.

Thanks for the great information. Didn’t realize they also made rods for LL Bean.

I did reach out to Diamondback, and heard back from Joe Goodspeed. He said since the Diamondback logo wasn’t on the rod, and just the S, he believes it was probably a salesman model. And that it’s a gentle carbon action rod, best with a 6 weight line.

You could also try reaching out to Mike McFarland. He was fishing rods for Diamondback at one point so he may know about the "S" thing...

FWIW - Other companies like Orvis would put "DEMO" on the blank.

 

[JG63]

Diamondback was purchased by Cortland around 2009 and soon moved production to China.

Later when Cortland decided to discontinue the Diamondback GLASS series of rods, Mike McFarland of McFarland Rods Company purchased the mandrels and the remaining fiberglass cloth.

I don't know for sure if it was both fiberglass & graphite, but for awhile after Mike bought the former Vermont Diamondback stuff, he was finishing Chinese Diamondback blanks for Cortland.

I know the original Diamondback glass rods made in Vermont blanks were black and the Chinese blanks were a deep blue color, but I'm not sure if the graphite blanks followed that color change.

Hope this helps a little.

Thanks for the update! I had been out of the business loop for a while 😂