Good article and I don’t disagree, I am sure fly fishing equipment manufacturers really do try to add enhancements to their products to create the next best thing. I believe this also benefits the lower end products, because they see the “trickle down” effect of the newer innovations and such (and perhaps today’s $200 Flyrod was actually the $600 flyrod of 5 [or whatever] years ago). However, I do wonder how much more tweaking they can do. I mean, if you look at cars, there were some really neat innovations over the years and prior to the new hybrid infatuation, the past 15 years, or so, there really have not been any new innovations and most things are just tweaking the shape of the car here, adding a new “standard” item that was only available as an “option” the year before, etc. Not trying to be argumentative, but it is something that I wonder about. I guess I need to do something more with my spare time.
I have to agree very good article. JC makes some good points here.I think the strongest that I took from the article any way is the way the improvements are made every year. I have a older 9 wt bottom of the line and a new 9 wt bottom of the line the difference in weight alone is amazing not taking the action into consideration. The new inovation no matter how miniscule are fabulous. Oh yea JC I am jelous you get to see these before the public how sweet is that LOL
Tis true that small improvements are made each year but what is the ultimate value? How much lighter can we make a rod or reel? How much can we tweak the tapers, refine the reel seat, adjust the cork grip? More importantly, how much difference does it really make to the average or even the above average Joe? The bottom line is exactly that - the bottom line - and it has little to do with fishing.
Spring assisted handles enabeling we gnu bee’s to shoot pinpoint 250 foot casts.
Tiny rocket launchers built into the rodtip to blast the fly all the way cross the lake.
Spy cam flys.
Barbless hooks that automatically straighten out and release the fish when it gets within 10 inches of the net. The built in camera will take its underwater picture read the microchip in its andipose fin and estimate the exact size our your catch. The net would then record your tally for the day. If you were interested a google of the chip # would give you the history of the fish from egg right up to the time you caught it.
The new year 2024 sage 1/4oz automatic super duper titanium rod with auto casting. You just hold the rod above your head hold it steady and the rod will do the rest. Just tell the built in computer the name of The lake. The GPS co-ordinates of the shore where you are standing. Instantly the New super duper sage rocket rod will select the correct fly, crazy glue it in place then cast to the biggest fish within 400ft.
Adjustments to materials, tapers, reel seats, guides, glues, epoxies, resins, etc. have been made for at least a couple of hundred years. Willow, greenheart, tonkin cane, steel, fiberglass, graphite, boron …
Designers will continue to make tweaks to try to improve their products just like any good engineer in any field as long as there is a market for the product.
How do the results relate to fishing? Well a rod with certain characteristics may enable an angler, even a less skilled one, to cast more accurately or farther with a corresponding increased catch rate. Or the angler may be able to put more pressure on a large fish and bring it to hand quicker so that it may be released in better condition. Or a rod may be less likely to break which may keep the angler on the water longer since you cant fish well with a broken rod.
“Riddle me this, riddle me that… if you’ve caught a fish already, then why are you going fishing again?”
Hoo Boy!!!
It was a thrill that I want to experience many more times. I want to admire the beauty of the brook trout that are my usual objective. I want to enjoy the beauty of the spring wildflowers. the birds flitting about the stream,the butterflys, caddisflies and mayflies that whirl about my head. The smell of the creek, often surrounded by cedars, is magical, the look of the twisting stream is glorious. The experience of being there, a part of the natural world, is religious, natural and almost supernatural.
Just because it’s wonderful!
Oops!
Forgot to mention the beautiful music. The song of the stream gurgling, burbling, chuckling it’s melodious song is a delightful wonder. Fishing in a small stream can thrill all the senses.
The beautiful brookies are a bonus.
Chronicler, sorry… but if I’m reading you correctly and some others…
What’s wrong with improvement…progress???
I’m glad some folks aren’t complacent :roll:
And IMHO it can make a lot of difference to “the average Joe”…in fact who is the average Joe :?: :?: :?: :?:
I guess you can tell when we have reached the limit…but I’ll admit I can’t…I’m thankful there are people out there that are capable and are willing to try…
You know IMHO that’s what makes AMERICA
“The bottom line is exactly that - the bottom line - and it has little to do with fishing.”…Jeez… don’t be satisfied with the bottom go for the top :shock:
There are many answers to my riddle…and one very good example…
is the “Passion” that Bill has shared with us. There is also the drive to compete, to be #1, to be challenged, and or diving into the dry technical side of things (like me) when it comes to fishing.
The key is that the above can be applied to many things, and for this post it’s the craftmanship involved in rod building (I used fishing in my riddle because I thought more people could relate to it).
I hope that my $500 rod was built with the same level of passion that Bill has for fishing! Likewise along with skill, technical advancements, the will to compete, to be #1…to be the best…etc…
Next year new improved rods will be introduced and the following year more new and improved rods will be introduced…ad nauseum. It will never end…but we can only hope that it will be for the best. I don’t think any one wants a Yugo of fishing rods!
And, If you still don’t get why things are tweaked and improved…
Oompa Loompa doompadee doo…
I’ve got a perfect puzzle for you…
…
