Quote Originally Posted by saltydancindave View Post
Thought I read an ad for a custom built #18 weight fly rod for the deep not too long ago.......& wondered who made flylines that big because the Ratt-L-Trap fly prototypes from the vise are going to need one because the #8 weight fiberglass just flings it & it'll need more weight in the belly to sink upright ! A late 1920's Leonard Fairy Catskill weighs in at 2-1/8 oz for a #2 weight & at this moment can't find all of the old bamboo rod weight list, but recall some were around 7 oz for a #6/7 weight. Orvis Battenkill weighs 4-3/8 oz for a #6/7. Just looked at a new high-tech rod catalog & most of their top end rods are all around 3 oz or less for up to a #7 - #8 weight fly rod. Add the line speed that can be generated with these super fast flex high-tech rods & it's not too much to figure that bamboo just isn't to some; yet still has it's place for others waters.
I have a couple of bamboo rod that a good caster can generate enough line speed to cast into the backing without a lot of effort. Just like the super fast flex high-tech rods.