As for the personal protective device, it looked like a piece of scrap metal he found lying in the shop to me, it would have appeared to have offered protection back to his hip pockets. As a safety consultant I would emphasize proper personal protective equipment is very important.

My question is what did the test prove? I have never tried personally or have I ever seen anyone else try to lift a fish or anything else with a fishing rod with the rod held vertically. Yes the flex of the rod was greater than I expected, but what useful informatio is gained from the test other than Echo make a tough rod?