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We go through this every spring. Fly fisher's thoughts turn to
things like 'float tubes' and other personal floatation devices.
Wonderful! What isn't so wonderful is the fly shops, perhaps
out of lack of knowledge, but more likely out of greed, try to
sell the person who just bought their float tube a new rod.
A longer rod!
"Have you thought about getting a longer rod to keep your back
cast up off the water?"
The unknowing angler now has a problem. He just spent bucks on
his float tube and it looks like he won't be able to do very well
because he doesn't have the right rod!
What's a person to do?
Here's exactly what to do. DON'T buy a longer rod for your
float tube. It's a lie, it's an effort to separate you from
your hard-earned money. It's unethical, and rotten - and it
happens all the time. And I just hate it!
Let's start with some facts. A short rod is easier to 'stop'
than a long rod. The longer the rod, the more tendency for the
tip of the rod to recoil and unless your casting is up to speed,
the longer rod will drive your backcast DOWN into the water.
What do I mean by a short or long rod. For float tubing (or other
PFD's) the average rod is a 5 or 6wt, 9 ft rod. Quite standard.
Why on earth would you want a longer rod? As in a 10 ft?
Hmmm . . .some will claim you can cast farther with a 10 foot rod
than you can with the identical rod in 9 foot. Wrong. The truth
is you can cast farther with the 9 foot.
So why do they make 10 foot rods?
The longer rod is wonderful on streams for mending line for dry
flies or nymphing. Longer rods have also become popular for
steelhead fishing. Same reasons. But most float tubing is done
on still waters, lakes! Line mending and current aren't big
problems.
Finally, there is the problem of landing the fish. You may not
have considered this, but even with a 9 foot rod, sitting on the
water and getting a fish to hand is not always easy. Now add
another foot to the length of the rod. Wish I had a video
camera to record that one!
But since I don't, you'll have to settle for this:
~ LadyFisher
If you would like to comment on this or any other article please feel free to
post your views on the FAOL Bulletin Board!
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