Eagle Claw rod return
Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 3:39 pm
Got a small problem that perplexes me. I have always used Eagle Claw Trailmaster rods - last 25 years exclusively; I recently snapped (where it shouldn't) my best Graphite Trailmaster III rod and so I sent it back in for a free (actually $15 shipping) replacement,...maybe I should just post a copy of my letter to Eagle Claw to explain further...
Eagle Claw 10/12/09
I got a question or three about my new Trailmaster rod and Eagle Claw policy in general.
I had sent in my (handle -? - snapped at Saddlebag Lake), 7 ½-foot, Graphite Trailmaster III, 4-piece rod (black), returning it back to Boulder, taking advantage of your generous and well-publicized, “lifetime” replacement policy-
and you readily complied. Kudos to You!
However, today, when I finally got around to opening/ inspecting your “new” model sent, I find a new, yellow, Composite, 7 ½-foot rod instead of my original graphite…says light- combination, 7 ½-foot, Trailmaster, 2 –8 wt, max ¼ oz lure, (TM-L76SF4) and seems well enough made… but the kicker is that the reel attachment, screw–down ring thing (slot) is too narrow to accommodate my trusty Penn 420SS reel. There are a few work-arounds; I could file down my reel a tad and it should/might just fit, but should I bother/risk damaging such a fine reel. (Coincidently, this same reel fits nicely in all my other Trailmasters.) I could file away/Dremel the reel handle base, perhaps sacrificing the rod’s integrity …or, I could just send it back and ask for a different rod, but is that asking too much?
I hate to **** as I have fished the Eagle Claw Trailmaster model rods - (have six) - exclusively for the past 25 years, but this new rod you sent as a replacement seems a lot lighter than the broken rod I sent in originally….maybe I am wrong but I think I would prefer something a tad sturdier than this “Ultralight”, preferably an improved, regular, 4-piece, Trailmaster III, backpacking rod in graphite as originally purchased...and, more specifically, a rod model capable of securely capturing my Penn reel sans any extraneous modifications. I admit that I do fish a good amount, mostly spinners…like throwing bigger, 3/8oz(+) lures, probably am a little hard on gear, and do delight in fishing the high lakes, thus I need a sturdy, dependable, backpacking, High Sierra, fishing rig. After doing the miles, rod breakage is not acceptable… 25 miles in.
In the past, I have always relied proudly on Trailmaster rods, touting their utility to everyone. The rod sent/in question was my favorite, go-to rod. What would you do? I would even gladly offer to make up the difference to get the rod I need. Help!
(BTW, what are your thoughts about Graphite vs. Composite?)
Mark aka markskor HighSierraTopix.com
They refuse to answer my letter - sent twice too. What should I do? Anybody used/tried this new Trailmaster rod model?
Mark
Eagle Claw 10/12/09
I got a question or three about my new Trailmaster rod and Eagle Claw policy in general.
I had sent in my (handle -? - snapped at Saddlebag Lake), 7 ½-foot, Graphite Trailmaster III, 4-piece rod (black), returning it back to Boulder, taking advantage of your generous and well-publicized, “lifetime” replacement policy-
and you readily complied. Kudos to You!
However, today, when I finally got around to opening/ inspecting your “new” model sent, I find a new, yellow, Composite, 7 ½-foot rod instead of my original graphite…says light- combination, 7 ½-foot, Trailmaster, 2 –8 wt, max ¼ oz lure, (TM-L76SF4) and seems well enough made… but the kicker is that the reel attachment, screw–down ring thing (slot) is too narrow to accommodate my trusty Penn 420SS reel. There are a few work-arounds; I could file down my reel a tad and it should/might just fit, but should I bother/risk damaging such a fine reel. (Coincidently, this same reel fits nicely in all my other Trailmasters.) I could file away/Dremel the reel handle base, perhaps sacrificing the rod’s integrity …or, I could just send it back and ask for a different rod, but is that asking too much?
I hate to **** as I have fished the Eagle Claw Trailmaster model rods - (have six) - exclusively for the past 25 years, but this new rod you sent as a replacement seems a lot lighter than the broken rod I sent in originally….maybe I am wrong but I think I would prefer something a tad sturdier than this “Ultralight”, preferably an improved, regular, 4-piece, Trailmaster III, backpacking rod in graphite as originally purchased...and, more specifically, a rod model capable of securely capturing my Penn reel sans any extraneous modifications. I admit that I do fish a good amount, mostly spinners…like throwing bigger, 3/8oz(+) lures, probably am a little hard on gear, and do delight in fishing the high lakes, thus I need a sturdy, dependable, backpacking, High Sierra, fishing rig. After doing the miles, rod breakage is not acceptable… 25 miles in.
In the past, I have always relied proudly on Trailmaster rods, touting their utility to everyone. The rod sent/in question was my favorite, go-to rod. What would you do? I would even gladly offer to make up the difference to get the rod I need. Help!
(BTW, what are your thoughts about Graphite vs. Composite?)
Mark aka markskor HighSierraTopix.com
They refuse to answer my letter - sent twice too. What should I do? Anybody used/tried this new Trailmaster rod model?
Mark