WC rules and it's impact

[Bernd Ziesche]

Hi everyone,
I was thinking about the WC 2024 (in Sweden?). My idea was to built a German team. So I asked some of the best fly casters we have for their interest.
Seems one main question is THE critical aspect:
What tackle do I need to buy or can I use what I have?

Just back from teaching in Spain, I am having a hard time to answer this question in a way to have people develop serious interest (which would be when not having to buy new tackle to then only be used in the WC).

In Spain I had a student who designed his rod for trout distance. That rod lengthened the carry about 3 meters compared to an (what I call) avg. 5wt. labeled rod for most.

So I have to recommend to built up a rod for each event. Of course I know, this is what nowadays many of you fine tournament experts do.
I have built up my own rods, too 2 decades ago. For example I built some Spey rods with SIC guides for better shooting compared to snakes. Nothing new.

Problem is, this kills massive interest in the WC.
I think, this is very sad. The travel costs are more than enough as we could see in the US open. Great tournament, very attractive but just the travelling alone is quite a lot of effort. Tackle adjustments on top.... kills it for many to even get started.

I know, this has been discussed before. But I thought to share my thoughts anyway.
Cheers
Bernd

[Paul Arden]

Hi Bernd,

I think you’re finding a problem where there isn’t one. I use a standard off the shelf 10WT for the 5WT distance and a 5WT for accuracy. The only specialist rod I can think of is the 18ft Spey.

You can borrow my rods if you like (I don’t have the 18’ DHD however). Many times I’ve borrowed rods for both Salmon overhead and Sea-trout distance. I will have a 15’ DHD soon but I’m not sure I’ll have enough time to learn to cast it

I do have a sea trout rod of my own now. It’s a 10’ 8WT prototype.

The only expense, apart from the event itself, is a supply of MED lines. Teams get a discount and SA have always been very good to me.

Cheers, Paul

[Bernd Ziesche]

I think you’re finding a problem where there isn’t one. I use a standard off the shelf 10WT for the 5WT distance and a 5WT for accuracy. The only specialist rod I can think of is the 18ft Spey.

Hi Paul,
So you recommend any rod (meant to match 5wt. trout lines) off the avg. selling shelf?
Why have you switched your rods significant (increasing stiffness) over time? I assume you did this to cast further, not to cast better.
In fact I was casting 2 HT10 lately. One outperformed the other. The better one was rebuilt for distance tournaments.
Sea trout shooting heads, which line density you recommend?
Cheers
B

[James9118]

Hi Bernd,

At the BFCC I've been known to cast the #5, #7 and ST27 all on the same off-the-shelf rod. I guess someone who has designed a custom rod is then going to put a lot of hours into casting it - could it be Lasse's old cliché coming to the fore - i.e. the rod you practice most with...?

Cheers, James

[Paul Arden]

How was it rebuilt?

The sea trout distance lines have to float. So less dense than freshwater. I don’t get excited about that event and do it because I’m there. Have never trained it, I think the last time I fished a shooting head was with you. And the last time I cast a shooting head was in Cumbria.

Cheers, Paul

[Bernd Ziesche]

Hi James,
I had never casted a HT10 before, but could lengthen my max carry straight away.
Same happened when I switched to a Tarpon rod for the MED5 first time in 2012.
Lasse's old cliche has a fine point, BUT different rods provide advantages + disadvantages and the more you use each rod, the more you will benefit from the advantages.
When I put SIC rings to a rod for Spey casting, it clearly supported line shooting. But I got a deeper bend, since those rings came with extra weight. Can be great in Spey casting, while being none supportive when overhead casting max possible carry...
When adding such rings to a broomstick, the extra weight has zero impact to rod bend...

Using a rod off the shelf is one, but I saw many changing their fav rods over the years. Must be for reason, I think.
Paul now loves HT10. For such a rod I have zero use in trout fishing. So, it would be just for the tournament. I wouldnt even use it for pike.

Paul,
It was customized with SICs all the way.
Cheers
B

[Paul Arden]

What was the other one? HT10 is fitted with Torzite Titaniums as standard. I don’t think we have built one any other way.

It’s a go-to tropical SW rod for me. And was developed both coasts of Australia as well as here for Snakehead. We have certainly sold many to 5WT competitors but most sales are for fishing. The build is the same, only the logo can be different. We do sell the blanks but I can’t remember having any HT10s built without Torzites.

Cheers, Paul

[Lasse Karlsson]

Bernd, how much more line could you shoot using sics as compared to snakes? Some top competitors might want to change if its measureable. I can't measure a difference, and I have two almost identical rods, one fitted with fuji sics and one with snakes, but I clearly aren't good enough compared to you guys

I actually wrote an article for SL years ago, but the computer blew up, it was a response to a british rodbuilder and instructor who claimed 10 percent longer casts switching to fuji sics. Might have to redo that. My measuring tape couldn't detect a difference, but my liedetector just might lie to me....

Cheers
Lasse

[George C]

I suspect whatever SICs can do, Torzites can do better.
They weigh less and have a larger ID than SIC ( 6.0mm vs 5.36mm in a size 8). You can also, instead, drop a guide size to a 7 torzite, get a similar ID to an 8 SIC but save substantial weight ( the titanium KT guides on both SIC and torzite use a more substantial frame design than the 6 and 7s).

Does anyone have a HT 8 built with wire guides from which they can weigh the two upper sections? I have one built with size 7 torzites and would be interested to learn as to what if any weight penalty results.

Thanks
George

[Bernd Ziesche]

Paul,
It wasn't SL labeled, but M... (same blank as I was told).
Just checked. I was wrong, it was Torzite rings (delivered by H&H), not SICs. Fuji claims they (Torzites) are even reducing friction compared to SICs. I have no clue. I remember me and 2 other instructors compared SICs with typical snakes long time ago (mainly Spey and static roll cast) and agreed to have a benefit due to the SICs WHEN casting on water (that was important as I remember).
HT10 comes with single footers?

Lasse,
as you know such comparisons are highly dependend on many factors like rod stiffness in relation to ring weight.
My max carry however is easy to compare on 2 rods. Especially, if the result includes a difference about 1m or more...
As far as I know some competitors aren't using snakes anymore, Lasse. I assume thats for reason.
Regards
B