I am odd – The development of fly rod technology
When I first picked up a fly rod, technology was nothing like as advanced as it has now become. The rods we all aspired to own were SAGE graphite I and IIs or Loomis GL3s. They were considered the fastest actions available, and they were head and shoulders above the competition. I know this somewhat dates me, but I believe I started fly fishing just as technology had done the big jump to carbon fibre from fibre glass. It was an exciting time to be fly fisher as the industry was in a state of flux chasing the next technological development. It was somewhat reminiscent of the shotgun industry in the UK at the turn of the 19th Century.
The AFTMA rating that were found on rods back then were fairly loose, so often a rod was classed 4-6# or 7-8#, and the fishermen decided on what action he preferred by going up or down line weights with no fear of overloading. Although considerably heavier, the rods of yesteryear were very tough. Think walled blanks were the order of the day which could handle significant abuse. Many carbon fibre rods were unground also adding to the strength of the blank, although perhaps less aesthetically pleasing.
Over the last 20 years the science behind our art has leapt forward exponentially. Line classes, weight, and more importantly strength have come a long way. First came the modulus of carbon, higher modulus’ giving faster actions and increased power, but fragile. Thinner blank walls, coupled with a more brittle material made some of the top of the line rods break a lot. The came the answer, better resins. The resin is the glue-like substance that bonds the carbon fibre matting together when a rod is rolled on the mandrel. With advances in composite materials from all walks of life these have trickled down into the rod manufacturing industry.
I participated in the testing of the Hardy Proaxis series of saltwater rods utilising SINTRIX technology and I remember the first time one was put into hands. I tested it against my trusty SAGE TCR thinking there would never be a better rod and I was blown away. Here was something truly different and exciting. In the following 18 months I did horrendous things to the prototypes and tried to break them… Really hard. I hooked a tuna on a 7#, a GT on an 8# and a dogtoothed tuna on the 9#… And failed to break any of them. The latest iteration of these rods are nothing short of magical.
What I find utterly intriguing is that many fishermen have not moved with technology, unaware of the huge advances that have been made and how much easier this new technology can make your fishing. Let’s take river fishing for example, at that time the advice was to use a 6 weight as your standard line weight, probably a double taper. The number of times in my formative years that I spooked trout by dumping a 6# line on their heads was numerous. If you were on the cutting edge, you might drop to a 4# and receive odd looks.
I think perhaps it is possibly time that we reassess the situation, and like me perhaps you are odd… I have now dropped line weights on all my fishing, from chalkstreams to hunting GTs on the flats. The latest generation of rods has nano titanium molecules incorporated into the resin that is baked onto the carbon fibre. Apart from being incredibly light, which is more of a side effect, these rods are extremely strong. Lighter line weights now have the ability to handle far more powerful casting demands and also fight much larger fish than before.
Before we get into the argument of it not being fair on the fish to extend the fight by going too light, I think you will find that this modern generation of rods has a huge amount of power for their line weights and are capable of subduing a fish even faster than much higher line weights of several decades ago. Combined with the overall lightweight feel in the hand of modern outfits not only are they more precise at delivering a fly to the target they are less tiring to cast all day which is particularly helpful with the much higher line classes.
For my Chalkstream outings now I never use a line weight heavier than 4#. I use a 9′ for most of my personal fishing (mostly as the extra length makes it far easier to reach over the fringe and results in fewer tangles), but it is also possible to now use longer lengths such as 9’9” or 10’ 3# which are ideal of modern nymphing techniques. The benefit of fishing a 3# is that unlike the years gone by modern fly lines can cut through a wind and while affording the angler a featherlike presentation, even on a big Mayfly pattern. I have found I now hook far more fish than before as a result as they remain oblivious to the touch of the line on the surface. Lighter line weights also allow the use of lighter tippets which increase the effect further.
For large rivers such as Northern Iceland trout or even small salmon I have dropped to a 9’6” 5# or 6#. This line class not only has delicate presentation but is more than capable of subduing a fish quickly. It will single hand Spey cast effectively, hitch a small fly beautifully but also doubles as a perfect Stillwater trout rod. Using lighter line classes also makes the entire experience far more tactile, especially with salmon. Rather than casting big heavy rods and swinging heavy lines where many touches and takes are never even registered by the angler, every little bump and take can be felt and often acted upon.
For bonefish and sea trout I now use the 7#. The 7# when I began fishing was my main Stillwater trout rod for both bank and boat fishing. Now I am more than happy to use the same line class to hook into a hard fighting bone as it streaks across the flat or casting for sea trout at night. Not only does it now have the power to cast a weighted fly and cut into the wind, but there is more than enough power in the butt section to quickly apply significant pressure to one of these silver bullets to bring it to hand quickly and release it strong. Again, the presentation of this lighter line class presents significant advantages.
Where this technology has perhaps had the most significant impact is that of double-handed rods. I remember the days where if you were going salmon fishing, a double handed rod was the tool for the job. A 15’ 11# or 14’ 9# if you were a bit risqué were the order of the day. I have not even seen a 15’ rod on a river for over a decade and these heavy unwieldy big guns have now been replaced with 12’ 6” and 13’ 7 – 9# rods easily capable of casting similar lengths of line, working big flies and landing large fish in powerful currents.
Flipping back to the salt, the 9# has actually become my most used line class. The 9# will handle pretty much anything you throw at it. It is gentle enough to use for bonefish, accurate enough for triggers, but my Hardy Marksman Z 9# also has incredible power in the butt section that I have used it to subdue small trevally and even a 50lb bump head parrotfish. At no point did I feel it was undergunned and I fight fish very hard.
The 11# has now replaced my trusty 12# rod for the big stuff. It is my go to Giant Trevally and sailfish rod as it not only has more than enough backbone to deal with these species but it is a pleasure to cast all day. Unlike a 12#, it is still a casting tool rather than just a fish wrestler.
So I am odd. I have gone from 6,8,10 and 12# rods to 5,7,9, 11# rods. If you have not yet jumped to the new technologies available to anglers, then I suggest you try it as a whole new world of fly fishing experiences is waiting. I like being odd.
