Late rotation heavy fly rods

[Lasse Karlsson]

Hi Phil,

I’m much more compact with a 12WT.

Cheers, Paul

Isn't that just because the headlength is short? How is your stroke with a 12 weight DT?

Cheers
Lasse

[Bernd Ziesche]

Hi Lasse,
If I increase stiffness for the MED5, I usually shorten the arc to some slight degree.
Casting a 12wt. line in Nica on a tarpon rod, I carried about 15m pre shoot. Worked best on a relatively compact arc. That heavy line has such a good ratio between surface and mass.... it goes far (until its end) easily.
For me the better ratio surface based friction/mass is the clue to get away with a compact arc (creating enough speed).
Regards
Bernd

[Lasse Karlsson]

Hi Bernd

I differentiate between stroke and arc. Stiffer rods gets a narrower arc, but strokelength doesn't need to change, I'd rather have a narrow arc and a long strokelength for an easier cast, than a short stroke that then needs more power and consequently larger arc, to reach the same. Fishing in the Maladives for GT using a 12 weight, that was just the thing. Also helps with into the wind shots, that happens frequently.

Cheers
Lasse

[Paul Arden]

Hi Phil,

I’m much more compact with a 12WT.

Cheers, Paul

Isn't that just because the headlength is short? How is your stroke with a 12 weight DT?

Cheers
Lasse

No idea. I’ve never tried. Head length is obviously part of the equation, but with heavier outfits I have more control when the stroke is compact. At some point the cast is going to become more like a shot putt than a tennis ball. I’ve always thought that was around 12WT for me. You being a body builder of course might be able to go up to 15WT.

Cheers, Paul

[Lasse Karlsson]

How are rods rated again?

Bold of you to call me Frankenstein!

Cheers
Lasse

[Paul Arden]

I’m not sure who even makes a DT12 nowadays.

[Lasse Karlsson]

I have a floater....

[Phil Blackmar]

Bernd, Graeme, Paul, Lasse and Gary. Thank you for the help. Last night I spent some time with the only 12 I have and found better rhythm, slower rotation until final hit, and more translation with a more narrow arc both worked very well. Cross wind all the line off the reel was no problem with a decent size mullet fly. Thank you for the help. Much appreciated.

Cheers
Phil

[Graeme H]

Glad to hear the work you’ve put in was successful Phil.

Cheers, Graeme

[Phil Blackmar]

Hello everyone-

I've just had a go with shorter rods for the first time as you all discussed above and I am very excited about what I experienced. All I did was to take a couple conventional plugging rods my father made back in the 80"s out of steelhead blanks. One is 8' 6" and the other 7'6". Each has an 18" cork handle.

I put the reel on the ground and cast, with a 7 wt line from all lengths up and down the cork. I found I really like 6 1/2"-7'6" for close shots, less than 60'. Then out to 75-80 I prefer the 7'6"-8 ft range and then longer casts out to the end of the rods. The rods are both medium action and it seems to me a very fast rod may not work that great when doing this.

It made me wonder why fly rods aren't made with long cork handles to allow for varying the length of rod rod when fishing.

All the best and thank you.

Phil