Most people that are taken to boo or glass fish small streams where delicate presentations are required to trout within 30 feet or less. In particular, people seem to like the action of these rods in this type of cast. This is, naturally, not a universal truth. There are many reasons to be drawn to a particular construction besides action. History, appearance, name, all are draws but are of a more subjective nature. The action of these rods, however, is a scientific fact and is definitely different than faster action graphite.

To explain "action" is an impossible tast because it means so many different things to so many people. If you want to get into the "geeky" scientific world, you can lull yourself to sleep reading about attempts to explain it. Try Bill Hanneman's Common Cents or even my stuff on my website under Mechanics of Flycasting - book page of www.HATofMichigan.org. But the most understandable characteristic of a rod is static strength (sometimes called stiffness). Graphite rods are, as a rule, stiffer than bamboo or glass.

The lower stiffness of glass or boo tends to require a slower and longer casting stroke in shorter casts. This results in what people tend to call a more relaxed feel. But most importantly, the longer casting stroke allows more time to allign and direct the cast, resulting in better accuracy on short distance casts. Think of it like the sighting plane on a firearm. The longer sighting plane of a rifle is inherantly more accurate than the shorter sighting plane of a pistol.

Now many of you will say this is all b-s and you just like bamboo or glass better. And that is fine. But rest assured, your casting style and the rivers you fish can point towards why you like them better. And it is not just preference to one type of construction or another - there are reasons based in science why you do. And those of you who prefer graphite are probably right too - especially if you routinely have to reach out 70 or 80 feet. Every tool has it's propper usage. You can drive a tack with a 16 oz. hammer and you can drive a 20d nail with a tack hammer. But we know which hammer the framer uses and which one the upholsterer used.

Godspeed and good fishing,

Bob