Fly Rod Tapers — Graphite, Fiberglass, and Bamboo

[Paul Arden]

They’re for fishing Ron. This could be a long complicated answer but a difference is apparent between the 6 and the 7. I talk about that here https://www.sexyloops.com/index.php/ps/ ... ine-weight
Basically a 6 is an all-round short to long casting nymph/dry/light streamer rod. Has to be excellent at short-lining. A 7 on the other hand moves more to plugging the banks with streamers.
You can skew an action towards distance or short line fishing. For me it changes around the 6&7 line number. They will all throw short and all throw long… but you can optimise feel/performance for mostly short or mostly long.

Stick a heavier/lighter line on the rod and you destroy all intentions of course. There are no controls over that

Cheers, Paul

[Merlin]

Hi Rienhard

That's OK for amateur rod building, but not for commercial purposes. If you consider a series of rods of given action, with the same material selection, then each rod (line #, length) has its set of mandrels.

Merlin

[RSalar]

Do beginner casters normally like slow action rods? I thought it was the opposite — but I’m teaching a friend who had never cast a fly rod. After each lesson he practices daily for a week. I have let him try several of my graphite rods. The one he finds easiest to cast is an old 8 1/2’ bamboo rod that he owns….

Cheers,

Ron

[Paul Arden]

Hi Ron,

Speed is relative of course but generally yes, and specifically if they can’t yet double haul. However a slow rod today is actually a quite fast rod of yesterday. But of course it also depends very much upon the line because that’s really the dominating factor and it’s comparison to rod stiffness.

Hell I prefer slower rods compared to some of today’s lineup

Cheers, Paul

[RSalar]

Hi Paul,

Yes I agree with it's all relative. So to clarify -- fast to me means that the rod barely bends when you throw a line (with the weight it has marked on it) 40 feet and slow means it bends way down into the butt with the same length of the same weight line. I have a very new (2022) graphite rod (by a major, well respected manufacturer) that has a #5 marked on it. I think it's fast with a 6 weight (which I prefer on it). This beginner student likes his old cheap bamboo rod that is so limp it bends down into the cork with 40' of 6 weight line and he has it strung with a 9 weight! He loves it and can actually cast it way better than he can cast my new graphite rod. The only thing I can think of is that he is moving it through a wide arc and the greater bend is causing the tip path to be straighter than it would be with a faster rod.

Maybe I answered my own question....

Are your still in training?

Cheers,

Ron

[Paul Arden]

“The only thing I can think of is that he is moving it through a wide arc and the greater bend is causing the tip path to be straighter than it would be with a faster rod.”

Exactly my understanding too.

“Are your still in training?”

For Ironman? Yes I have another next month and one after that in November. Just had a month of guests and guiding (and a race) so the past month was more maintaining.

Much free again now that I’ve dropped my Tasmanian guests off today.

Can your student double haul? This also makes a difference.

Cheers, Paul

[RSalar]

Can your student double haul? This also makes a difference.

Cheers, Paul

Hi Paul, Sounds like you've been very busy! That's a good thing I suppose ...

No my student can not double haul -- total beginner. He's dedicated but not very coordinated! Just getting him to make the basic casting stroke is a challenge. He wants to join us this fall on a fishing trip so I have a couple of months to get him ready. I think he'll pick it up by then.

Talk soon,

Ron

[Paul Arden]

Being able or not to make a double haul has an impact on line weights to rod IMO. Particularly for middle distance. I try to introduce it as early as practically possible but of course it can be very much student dependant. They all get there eventually.

Cheers, Paul

[nicholasfmoore]

Anyone can learn to double haul in about 20 mins it does depend on the student, though. Try a zinger on the hook keeper ring. I think that’s originally Carlos’s method.

All the best

[Tangled]

Anyone can learn to double haul in about 20 mins it does depend on the student, though. Try a zinger on the hook keeper ring. I think that’s originally Carlos’s method.

It took me weeks to learn the actions, and months to do it anything like right, I was throwing tailing loops and tangles every other cast.