Loading/unloading rod scam

[askel]

I've heard of importance and even essentiality of loading/unloading rod for fly casting. But there were clear examples of casting fly line with broomstick like rods or even with bare hand (I remember Lefty has demonstrated that). So, is it just a myth? I know about efficiency but is loading/unloading really essential as rod manufacturers try to make us to believe?

I've tried to look up similar threads but couldn't find any.

[Lasse Karlsson]

Hi Aleksandar

A good place to start is with this article [http://www.sexyloops.com

Short answer is, no loading/unloading is not as important as rodmanufacturers would like you to believe, if its in the sense that the rod works solely as a big spring to propel the line.
Spring wise you spend some energy bending the rod, and a small portion is given back to the line later, thats cool. Mostly its a flexible lever that allows us to move the line straighter, and thats a big deal, and what handcasting really shows us too.

Cheers
Lasse

[Paul Arden]

Maybe this one? http://www.sexyloops.com/articles/rodcast.shtml

Whenever anyone talks about loading the rod little alarms bells ring in my head. Mostly the rod is a lever - a flexible lever. Loading/unloading does contribute to the cast - the loading allows us to put more energy in, and the unloading does result in an increase in line speed. BUT and it's a big but, the rod is still predominantly a lever and furthermore the bend in the rod allows two things 1) it turns rotation at the butt into a straightish path at the rod tip and 2) it is much easier to stop the rod because you stop in progressively from the butt to the tip instead of trying to stop the entire rod in one go as with a rigid lever/broomstick.

Cheers Paul

[Lasse Karlsson]

Yup that one Paul, no idea why it didnt paste properly

Rods must seriously be the hardest thing to talk up, they can't do anything on their own, and most sell on the premise that its a better spring, because its more expensieve...

Cheers
Lasse

[Paul Arden]

Yeah well with all the bollocks it's difficult. Selling dreams I guess, and fictitious technology. Basically the differences are blank design, componentry and workmanship. The bit that interests me is the blank.

You have to remember most successful rod companies employ marketing specialists who obviously don't fish and need a unique selling point. It's actually a lot of fun

Cheers, Paul

[askel]

Mostly its a flexible lever that allows us to move the line straighter, and thats a big deal, and what handcasting really shows us too.

Hey Lasse,

Does that mean if I adjust my casting to not to rotate a rod then broomstick would do the job just fine?

I've got a crazy idea and just need some input from the community to throw it away or bring it up.

[askel]

Loading/unloading does contribute to the cast - the loading allows us to put more energy in, and the unloading does result in an increase in line speed.

Hi Paul,

So loading/unloading in fact steal some energy as it's far from being 100% effective, right?

I mean with broomstick, no energy gets lost between loading and unloading. So, if I can build a fly rod that allows anyone to cast without bending it to keep SLP would it work better than any existing fly rod?

[askel]

Just imagine a fly rod that can change its length during the cast. So instead of bending it would get shorter. And, likewise, instead of unbending it will get longer.

There are few different ways to make rod of dynamic length. Simple stupid spring that loads as load increases and releases as load decreases. Or even computer (they can be little tiny these days) that "feels" what is happening and controls length of the rod.

[askel]

I know it would void all hard-earned skills and remove some "eliteness" from fly fishing. But it feels like the future of fly fishing rod industry.

[askel]

But it feels like the future of fly fishing rod industry.

I hope I won't get killed by some mainstream rod manufacturer hired guy. It's like oil industry - everybody making money on it would kill you if you come with solution to get energy without burning the oil

And it doesn't actually void anyone's skills. Just get stick to your cane fly rod. It was stupid to post it here. Fly fishing is all about fun and feeling being special. Peace.