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Walter & Group...
[GH] From Shaun Ash. My brief comments in red. :
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[GH] From Mark Surtees. His answers in red. My comments in blue :
Mark & Group...
[GH] A little quiz on fly rod characteristics including "action", "strength" and "speed" :-
1.) We've read several interpretations and descriptions of these words applied to fly rods in our past messages.
Question: Which of these (or your own) descriptions make the most sense to YOU.
a. Fly rod action.
b. Fly rod strength.
c. Fly rod speed.
Dan's description, second, of A and C is meaningful to me…. For the type of fishing I most commonly do fly rod strength is almost irrelevant…..J
2.) Your student is a 15 year old high school student who is taking a fly casting course as an elective to help complete his physical education requirements. He has a low grade average.
He asks you this question after raising his hand in class :
"We read about 'effective rod lengths', but I still don't understand what this means. Could you explain it in simple terms ? "
Question: How do you answer him ?
In the simplest of terms, when the rod bends it reduces the length of the rod that can be used effectively as a lever against the weight of the line. The effective length is usually measured, for convenience sake, from the rod tip to the top of the handle. The more bent the rod, the shorter the effective length and the less leverage you get.
3.) After you answered the student in 2.), he then asks :
"Well..... how will this help me when I go to buy a fly rod to catch striped bass ?"
Question: What do you tell him ?
If the rod is stiffer as it bends down the blank it will help maximize the force you can apply to the line through leverage by keeping the effective length as long as possible….but, assuming that you want to cast big flies a long way the rod rating and the line profile that is chosen would be higher up my list of things to look at .
[GH] Yes. However, if he is going to catch very large bass at short range, he might do best with a rod which has a short effective length for greater fighting leverage.
4.) How would you explain each of these terms to your student at an intermediate level :
a. Fly rod action.
For a fixed force at the tip, where the rod bends, tip, middle or through….parabolic even..
b. Fly rod strength.
The amount of force that the rod can apply without breaking
[GH] Yes. Also, can pertain to lifting capability.
c. Fly rod speed.
How fast the rod unbends or “recovers”
d. Overall length.
Length from tip to butt
e. Rod rating. (Line wt. rating.)
Manufacturers ideal line recommendation to match the characteristics of the rod.
Try to use these five terms as you answer questions 4 - 8, below :-
5.) Use these five terms to explain to your early casting student what rod he should purchase for his fly casting lessons. He is 20 years old, medium height and slender. Calm temperament. He wants to learn how to fly fish so he can fish brook trout in local streams.
As a rule I would suggest that he doesn’t purchase a rod at all until he has tried a few during his lessons. However, if I can remember back to when I was 20 years old and slender, I would have liked a rod with an overall length of about 8’ ish. I suspect it depends on your definition of a stream but, in my stream-world, a 3 or 4 rod rating would normally be sufficient. Because he’s a beginner I would recommend a middle or through actioned rod they are more forgiving of minor errors and give time during the cast to make corrections..
6.) Use these terms to describe the fly rod you would recommend for Nancy who is a 34 year old accomplished caster. She is short (5') - (150 cm.) and weighs 110 lbs. (50Kg.) . She is a dance instructor. She wants to use it to catch panfish in the lake.
My experience of panfish is zip but, guessing they are not very big, the lighter rod ratings would generate a sportier encounter with the fish, on a lake, with a fit and experienced caster a rod with a 9’ overall length and a fast tip action will help with distance, if there is noodling around obstacles and under branches required then a shorter rod would be an advantage.
7.) Jack is a big fellow. He is a professional football player who plays many other sports very well. He's also a scratch golfer. He wants to take his first trip to the Florida Keys to catch a big tarpon. He has caught lots of trout and large salmon, but has never before fished in the salt.
Question : What rod do you recommend ?
Strong rod capable of handling very big fish, Rod rating 11 or more to cast big heavy flies, a rod of overall length around 9’-10’.
[GH] Good. Except for rod length. Here I would suggest 8 1/2' to 9' rod with short effective length to handle big powerful fish.
8.) You are about to order 15 fly rods for your fly fishing school as school rods. The courses you usually teach are at the beginner - intermediate level. Your students may be of any age and physical description.
Question : What rods do you order ?
This is completely out of my experience but for beginners and intermediates, depending on the fishing that they intend to do, I recommend rods with a mid action and a medium speed, usually around a 6 wt rod rating and overall length 9’. I have a variety of rods for students to try of varying length, ratings, actions and speeds but if I were running an adult group of common ability they would all be using the rod I’ve just described. For kids, smaller rods overall length 7-7’6” with a suitable grip, same mid action and medium speed but I keep the rod rating higher than I would normally fish for that length, 5wts mainly.
[GH] Good answer. I think I'd stick with the 9' medium action, medium fast rods for the school. However, you do bring up a good point rfe different casters. Not only that, but it is not a bad idea to have students beyond the beginner stage when they have a achieved a decent basic casting stroke, to have the experience of trying different rods.
9.) Now you have offered to give a course on advanced fly casting. One of the students who has signed up for the course calls you for your recommendation on what fly rod he should bring.
Question: What questions would you ask of him before giving advice ?
What sort of rods does he own, i.e., what are the options. What is his favorite, what line is it strung with and does he have any other lines. Mainly it would be come as you are and bring the rod you use the most.
[GH] Yes. Also might help to know more about the student himself.
10.) Your long term student calls you for advice. He is a vigorous 40 year old ski instructor of average height and build . Ski season is over and he's been invited to fish a river in Africa for a fish you know nothing about. He wants to know the best fly rod for this venture.
Question: What questions would you ask of him before coming up with a recommendation ?
I wouldn’t recommend a rod in these circumstances Gordy but I would certainly help to find someone who could.
10. NOW FOR THE QUINELLA !
This question is from Craig Buckbee. Highlighting is mine :
Gordy,
all interesting, in response to Zigi's comments, as well as Al Buhr's writings, on a rod's action and speed, can anyone give examples (manufacturer + model) of a tip action rod that is slow, or a fast rod that bends deep?
Nope….but I was reliably informed by a BoG in Germany last year that such things do exist, I have yet to cast with one though.
Mark Surtees
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