New from Dr. Bill

yup, don't like how your flyrod feels, change it. :)
http://www.mudhole.com/Shop-Our-Cata...d-Tip-Modifier
I know this 'smacks' a little like a commercial, but I wanted you guys to know about it and have a good chance to discuss any pro's and con's. I can say, more than one very well respected rod designer is interested and impressed with them. I'm not backing nor promoting them at this time, just letting you know about them. If you have any thoughts (whether or not you have bought them) let's hear from you on this. Is there something here or not? :)

Dr. Bill has an interesting approach here. Suppose you just dumped $600 on a new zero gravity and $100 on a new sharkskin line. And this was your egg money. And you tried it out on your favorite small stream and didn't like it.

This may fix your feel problem. Reason: there are people (like me) who like to feel the rod load on a short cast. Should buy bamboo, I know, or fiberglass, but I already have some graphite rods. So I just overline them for smaller streams and don't worry about trying to throw 80 feet of line - don't have too anyway unless I'm fishing for birds. Now I have a bunch of lines so it is not a problem. But what if I didn't? What if I went down and bought a nice graphite rod without looking at its ERN or casting it at the shop (people do that)? Or what if (OMG) I bought it from a catalog along with it's rated line? And what if I went out on the upper Little Manistee and found I couldn't feel the rod load on the back cast like I wanted? And what if I didn't want to go buy a new line?

If you fit this mold, it's a cheap thing to try.

Godspeed,

Bob

If I don't like the "feel", I cut the front taper of the line back a bit at a time until I do

maybe thats too simple

:rolleyes:

For trout fishing; other than real fast rods which I really don't like, I kinda like having some variety in my rod actions that I have to adapt to depending on which rod I am fishing.

I may be crazy but having a quiver from 5'0" to 9'0" that all have the same "feel" would be boring to me.

All five of my rods ( a 7 wt, two 5 wts and two 3 wts ) "feel" just right when I have a fish on.

Wish the description was a bit more "complete". Are we going to have to remove to tip guide, to install these things? THAT, would be a bit much, if you have to do it several times, to "get the right feel"!? (They appear to be "tubes", unless they're slotted on the side now shown?).
He states, "It changes the "FEEL" but not the "ACTION" of the rod". Hmmmmmm hard to define what he's even talking about, on that one!
You could also, very easily, find out if something like this itme works by simply wrapping lead strips around your rod tip for the same effect and same, end results. (also, with far more accuracy,because you could "fine tune" the lead strips in an infinite manner and BOTH, would look about as ugly on your rod's tip!).
Personally, I think; "Learning to cast, properly", is about the cheapest and easiest way, to learn to handle any rod you own.

This may be a dumb question but isn't there a whole lot more to rod taper and action than just weighting or un-weighting the tip?

I have a fiberglass rod custom built for me with two tips. One tip is heavier with the intended purpose of slowing down the rod. It just doesn't slow down the rod but changes the whole feel which may be a good thing to some but to me it also ruins its delicateness at the same time. As a result I never use it.

I guess what I'm saying is couldn't a similar thing be accomplished with lead tape or a heavier line?

As the picture shows, they are C shaped and wrap around your rod. Which one and where are explained when you buy them. He was here yesterday explaining all this to me. He will send me a set and I will attempt to write some sort of review on them. I am not at all sure I can do the job but will try. Meanwhile, keep thinking. :)

One of the things I like about a new rod is figuring out what the rod needs me to do in order to get it to do what it does best. Fine tuning my stroke has always made more sense to me than altering the rod. But, that's me. I could see an advantage here for the guy who usually works at a given distance and suddenly finds himself needing to make much shorter casts with the same rod. Not everyone can afford a rod for every contingency, and this might be an interesting way to make a single rod more versatile. I don't, however trust the idea that it can change the feel of a rod without changing the action. The ad says this gizmo has the same effect as bumping up a line weight. Thing is, bumping up a line weight has the net effect of making the action of the rod softer, thus loading better at short distances.

Just my thoughts.

...and there goes the challenge, and to me all of the fun, of learning how to use what you have available to get the job done.

No matter what, I believe this widget will fail. Three reasons why:

1. As previously mentioned you are attempting to remove the challenge of learning a new casting skill with your current equipment. I believe that most fly anglers live for the challenge of constantly learning new techniques and taking their casting to a different level. Additionally, there are lots of us that enjoy the different "feel" we get between one rod and the other, same model or not. We also enjoy the challenge of selecting a rod that "feels good'" to us under most conditions and then bragging, yep I sure do this too, from time to time about our prowess at picking that "perfect" rod. How many of you know how to use the rod to execute a bow cast or is it even possible to do so? I know it is with spinning gear but what about with the fly rod? How about practicing that old art of pitching and flipping? Is that what we call daping or have we forgotten that too?

2. I fully understand the equation used to find the solution to the problem. However, there are several variables, all of which have some effect to a greater or lesser degree on the performance of any given rod made from any diverse number of materials. I believe the attempt here is to reach some sort of "compromise" solution because no single formula could take into account the almost infinite combination of variables caused by atmospheric conditions alone. Such things as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, dew points, atmospheric pressure and probably a few more that I have forgotten. All of these affect the physical properties of the rod, the line and how the line and rod move through the air. In short I am talking about the aerodynamic properties of density altitude and altering the physical properties of both line and rod. Not enough? O.K. lets talk about the variables of the physical properties of the line itself. Like the coating, treated or untreated, dry or moisture laden as it relates to potential and kinetic energy as well as inertia, dirt and moisture content as it relates to aerodynamic properties, line properties and their relation to the mount of friction, or lack thereof, with the guides. I am sure I missed a few but I think you know the angle I am getting at here. So, this brings me to my final number.

3. Using logic to solve such subjective, intangible things as something that "feels good" usually fails miserably. What "feels good" to me probably won't "feel good" to you due to the vast differences in our physical and psychological make up. We can do a relatively good job of using logic to account for the actual physical variables but logic can never account for the variables of the human condition. To summarize, I believe all this chap has done is to build a new mouse trap. I will spend my money elsewhere, thanks.

Just my lengthy two cents worth.
http://bestsmileys.com/talking/4.gif:)

I have to say that I LOVE the common cents system because finally someone put an objective measure that can be used to quantify concrete things like the definition of the weight rating of the rod and the action. Combining those at least gives some basis for evaluating subjective items like 'feel'. Still, I think the best thing is to cast or fish the rod, as many on the board have suggested before.

I don't particulary think the weights will catch on. Golf clubs have had nicely defined ratings for swing weight and shaft flex for ages, but still most people use that to help decide on the clubs they like while also buying a set that 'feels' good. Not many people put the lead tape on the club head, which has also been around for ages, which I'd equate to these weights. They get a set they like and if they didn't, trade or sell the disagreeable set and get one they like.

it seems sort of like putting lead on your tires to balance them.....

It just seems like another way to tweak your rod to get it to soften and slow a bit. There is nothing wrong with it and it is part of the fun of tuning your rod to get it just right. Granted a few wraps of lead coated in epoxy may acheive the same effect, but then they couldn't charge ten bucks for it. :p

I haven't come across the perfect rod yet.

Weight in a fly rod is not a bad thing if it serves a functional purpose.

There are some of us that like to fiddle with our rods to make them easier to use. I like rods with larger, heavier guides and more of them to increase tip weight and accomplish the same effect. I also like to weight the butt and use a heavier than standard reel to counteract tip weight and allow me to throw heavy saltwater (11+ weight) lines with ease all night long.

Fiddling with the gear to make it more user friendly and efficient is part of the fun of the game for me.

I was going to reply here but it has been a particularly tough day and I am in no mood to deal with this. So, as the wise man said, "If you have nothing good to say, then say nothing at all.". I shall follow that advice.

On second thought I will say something. I have come up with my own device to attach to your rods, not mine, that will definitely help you and the rod either "feel good" or "feel very bad". For a mere 39.99 dollars you, too can have one of these rod tuning items:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0070921x00003b

http://bestsmileys.com/lol/4.gif

To "Correct my error", No, I didn't "ZOOM" the ad's picture, to see that this gimmick was "C-shaped" to begin with.
However, the more I "think" on this item, the more I'm wondering..................... "WHY, if you've purchased a fly rod and hopefully, bought it properly, would you then need to spend another several dollars to "fix your $300.00 mistake"!?
If I'm going to buy a rod, I'm going to take along my own reel, spool and lines and cast the rod for quite a while, before laying down the bucks.
I'd hope, by then, that I'd know about everything these IS to know about the particular stick and how it "feels", or whether or not it has the "ERN", "EDP", WAG" and "BFD" that I may find important.
Seems, sort of silly, really to have to spend an additional $10.00 to STILL adjust a rod I've just laid down several hundred for!?!
I wouldn't need these things, for rods I ALREADY have because I either know how they fish and what I need to do, to cast them properly or I no longer would own them.

It's like Fly Fishing has always been I think........... Every time things sort of "slow down" on the "buzz word/buzz phrase side of things", along comes something "new and different, that will revolutionize fly fishing like never before".
It seems we managed to fly fish for decades, until we were informed "Our PARABOLICS" were all screwed up and we didn't even know it!?!
Our "Arch Load To Tip Bend Ration" was the next thing to go, when the Parabolic fad died down. "Mass Load Flex", came along and replaced the A.L.T.T.B.R., problem.

I'm not sure, what followed because I fell asleep, not worrying about it.
I can just imagine, the boys and girls at Sage, Winston, Powell, T & T, etc. all looking at this "latest fad" and thinking.................... "Gee, after we designed and built this $750.00 fly rod.......why didn't WE think about sticking lead weights to the blank?"

Personally, I think I'll just do what I've been doing for 30+ years and stick with picking out a rod I "like the feel of" and go fishing with it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by flybinder

To "Correct my error", No, I didn't "ZOOM" the ad's picture, to see that this gimmick was "C-shaped" to begin with.
However, the more I "think" on this item, the more I'm wondering..................... "WHY, if you've purchased a fly rod and hopefully, bought it properly, would you then need to spend another several dollars to "fix your $300.00 mistake"!?
If I'm going to buy a rod, I'm going to take along my own reel, spool and lines and cast the rod for quite a while, before laying down the bucks.
I'd hope, by then, that I'd know about everything these IS to know about the particular stick and how it "feels", or whether or not it has the "ERN", "EDP", WAG" and "BFD" that I may find important.
Seems, sort of silly, really to have to spend an additional $10.00 to STILL adjust a rod I've just laid down several hundred for!?!
I wouldn't need these things, for rods I ALREADY have because I either know how they fish and what I need to do, to cast them properly or I no longer would own them.

It's like Fly Fishing has always been I think........... Every time things sort of "slow down" on the "buzz word/buzz phrase side of things", along comes something "new and different, that will revolutionize fly fishing like never before".
It seems we managed to fly fish for decades, until we were informed "Our PARABOLICS" were all screwed up and we didn't even know it!?!
Our "Arch Load To Tip Bend Ration" was the next thing to go, when the Parabolic fad died down. "Mass Load Flex", came along and replaced the A.L.T.T.B.R., problem.

I'm not sure, what followed because I fell asleep, not worrying about it.
I can just imagine, the boys and girls at Sage, Winston, Powell, T & T, etc. all looking at this "latest fad" and thinking.................... "Gee, after we designed and built this $750.00 fly rod.......why didn't WE think about sticking lead weights to the blank?"

Personally, I think I'll just do what I've been doing for 30+ years and stick with picking out a rod I "like the feel of" and go fishing with it.

---

Paul,
I agree totally. Also, if I am buying a combo I get one with rod, reel, the line weight and type I will be primarily fishing on the combo, backing, leader and tippet. I test cast the entire combo and do not buy until it feels the way I want it to or I move onto another setup.

Judging if something "feels good" is very largely subject to one's state of emotion. The act of reaching a decision that is at least partially based on illogical or questionable emotions gives logic the boot when it comes to solving how something "feels".:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by J Castwell

As the picture shows, they are C shaped and wrap around your rod. Which one and where are explained when you buy them. He was here yesterday explaining all this to me. He will send me a set and I will attempt to write some sort of review on them. I am not at all sure I can do the job but will try. Meanwhile, keep thinking. :)

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I thinkin I would sure like to see the look on LF face when JC straps one of those things on her Kusse Magnum O'pus

So why all these years of rod building do I strive to keep weight off the rod shaft? Is not excesss weight to be avoided?

In spite of what many ametures in the rod building arena might think, the professional rod designers do indeed know what they are doing. Learning to cast better will go a long way to making a rod "feel good."

fishbum

JC. Please weigh those things when they come in and post the weights. I have a spool of lead wire here and...