Fly Fishing: All The Rods You Need
The modern period has been dominated by the development of new materials, and there is no doubt that without plastics, fly fishing as we know it would be unrecognizable as a sport, although the basic principles would be the same.
Glass-fiber rods first appeared in the late 1940′s, but it took a while for the new material to be adopted. Suppliers showed varying degrees of enthusiasm for the material. Hardy’s first glass fiber rod was built in 1954, and after a period in which glass and cane uneasily coexisted, their first carbon fiber rod followed in 1976. Rod weights plunged, reaching the point where line weight became a consideration in rod handling. A modern fifteen foot carbon fiber rod typically weighs around the pound mark, and a nine-foot rod three and a half ounces.
If anyone wonders why fiberglass did not replace split cane overnight, the answer lies in the table. Glass rods weighed much the same as their split cane equivalents, and offered the fisherman few advantages other than price. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, approaches half the weight of either split cane or glass. Once the technical problems of using the new material had been solved, carbon fiber rods entered mass production and neither of the older materials could offer any contest. Cane was swept away by the mid nineteen eighties, although it is making something of a comeback on aesthetic grounds.
The Fly Line. As with rod development, the post-war period was dominated by the development of new materials. The taper on these lines could be controlled to a precise amount, and the invention of methods of altering the specific gravity of the PVC coating (and hence its buoyancy) gave the product greater flexibility than anyone had ever dreamed of in a fly line.
The Reel. We are very nearly up to date on the subject of gear, but is one small piece of the jigsaw puzzle missing. At the beginning of the modern period, it was unusual to find fly reels with exposed rims. The last twenty years have seen a surge of nostalgia, and it is fascinating to see the designs appearing that imitate reels of a century ago.
The Salmon Fly. In a sign of growing American dominance in the field, hair-winged patterns didn’t take long to make the transfer across the Atlantic. The hair-wing had become a significant influence on British patterns by the 1960s, with many traditional patterns being adapted to allow hair-wing ties. The origins of the tube fly are less certain. We know that North American native people tied lures for salmon on quills as long ago as the nineteenth century, but the idea seems to have entered mainstream salmon fly fishing during the 1940s.
There is an interesting post-script to the development of the hair-wing salmon fly. Fishermen took a long while to give up their affection for the fully-dressed ‘gaudy’ fly, and it was commonly stocked by quite ordinary tackle shops well into the late 70′s and even early 80′s. As it became harder to find fully-dressed flies, collectors moved in, and a substantial market in “specimen-tying” began to emerge.
About the Author
Shannon Brown is a native of Colorado and an avid fly fisherman. He has created a new website just for fly fisherman. Stop by and visit him at:
All About Fly Fishing
|
|
Fly Reel Coaster Set with Stand, 70694 Hand cast resin coaster set features a coaster stand that looks like a fly fishing reel! When the coasters are put away, they resemble fly fishing string. Each coaster has a different hand tied fly on it, like Dave’s Hopper or the Wooly Bugger! Coasters are non-absorbant. Stand measures 5.75″ tall…. |
|
|
Fly Reel Coasters – Set of 4 Fly Rod Reel Coasters in Green and Rust Store a set of coasters inside this colorful metal fly rod container. Holds an assortment of hunter green coasters with a variety of fishing flies featured on each one. Hand-cast resin Dimensions: 5L x 3W x 5.75H Four coasters included in the set… |
|
|
Buck Snort Hardware Fly Fishing Reel, Antique Brass Perfect for the fly fisherman, this Fly Fishing Reel Knob by Buck Snort measures 1-3/4 inch W x 1-1/2 inch H. This knob is made with a one-piece cast construction and is available in Antique Brass, Antique Copper, Black Nickel, Nickel, Pewter and Oil Rubbed Bronze finishes. All knobs are plated and sealed with a baked-on, clear coat lacquer finish for added protection. The knobs ship via UPS…. |
|
|
Rod Reel Fundamentals [VHS] $6.99 … |
|
|
Rod Reel Fly Strategy [VHS] $25.00 … |
|
|
Lefty Kreh on Fly Casting [VHS] $29.58 … |
|
|
22×14 Oval Wall Vinyl Sticker iFish Fishing Fisherman $26.97 Product Number: 030-619742768 Wall peels are printed on a reusable vinyl with a special adhesive that sticks to walls without harming them. No tape. No tacks. No marks. * Measures 22″ x 14″ * Won’t hurt walls * Can be moved and reused… |
|
|
38.5 x24.5 Wall Vinyl Sticker iFish Fishing Fisherman $32.97 Product Number: 030-619742765 Wall peels are printed on a reusable vinyl with a special adhesive that sticks to walls without harming them. No tape. No tacks. No marks. * Measures 38.5″ x 24.5″ * Won’t hurt walls * Can be moved and reused… |
|
|
21 x 7 Wall Vinyl Sticker iFish Fishing Fisherman $23.97 Product Number: 030-619742769 Wall peels are printed on a reusable vinyl with a special adhesive that sticks to walls without harming them. No tape. No tacks. No marks. * Measures 21″ x 7″ * Won’t hurt walls * Can be moved and reused… |
|
|
Casts that Catch Fish $24.50 Learn the top fly fishing presentation casts that really do catch more fish.An intensive one on one fly casting workshop with Master fly casting instructor Carl McNeil.”An indispensable reference for years to come”Never have I seen such excellent flycasting footage – the Fly Fisher Journal”Casts that Catch Fish, a DVD that brings gorgeous cinematography to the how-to genre. It’s a very existing co… |
|
|
Tibor Riptide Fly Reel – Rods/reels $670 Reel Introducing the Riptide Fly Reel, the reel that truly sets a new standard for fly reel technology and dependability. Designed by world-renowned fly reel engineer, Ted Juracsik, the legendary Riptide Reel is the only reel you need if youamp;8217;re i |
|
|
Tibor Everglades Fly Reel – Rods/reels $640 Reel The Everglades Fly Reel is a high-performing, corrosion resistant reel fly fishing enthusiasts can count on for both saltwater and freshwater use. Introduced by world-renowned fly reel engineer, Ted Juracsik, the legendary Everglades Reel is the only |
|
|
White River Fly Shop Classic Ultra-Light Fly Reel – Rods/reels $99.99 Reel Perfect for the smallest fly rodLess than 2.5amp;quot; in diameterWeight: 2.4 oz.Cold-forged and machined aluminumThe White River Fly Shop Classic Ultra-Light Fly Reel is the perfect reel for your smallest fly rod. Although it measures less than 2.5a |
|
|
Redington Crosswater Fly Rod and Reel Outfit for Youth – Rods/reels $139.95 Designed for novice fly anglers Everything your young angler will need to get started fly fishing Four-piece graphite rod Crosswater fly reel Pre-spooled with RIO Mainstream fly line Rod and reel case Outfits designed for novice fly anglers&8212;easy to cast, easy on the wallet. Outfits include everything your young angler will need to get started fly fishing: four-piece graphite rod, Crosswater fly reel pre-spooled with RIO Mainstream fly line, and rod and reel case. Designed for novice fly anglers Everything your young angler will need to get started fly fishing Four-piece graphite rod Crosswater fly reel Pre-spooled with RIO Mainstream fly line Rod and reel case Outfits designed for novice fly anglersamp;821 |
|
|
Redington Complete Crosswater Fly Rod and Reel Outfit – 5 – Rods/reels $139.95 Designed for novice fly anglers young or old Everything you need to get started fly fishing Four-piece graphite rod Crosswater fly reel Pre-spooled with RIO Mainstream fly line Leader Rod and reel case Outfits designed for novice fly anglers young and old&8212;easy to cast, easy on the wallet. Outfits include everything you or your young angler will need to get started fly fishing: four-piece graphite rod, Crosswater fly reel pre-spooled with RIO Mainstream fly line, leader, and rod and reel case. Designed for novice fly anglers young or old Everything you need to get started fly fishing Four-piece graphite rod Crosswater fly reel Pre-spooled with RIO Mainstream fly line Leader Rod and reel case Outfits designed for novice fly anglers young |
|
|
Pflueger® Automatic Fly Reel – Rods/reels $39.99 Reel Aluminum alloy frame and spool Stainless steel main spring Stainless steel foot and line guard Main spring release and fold down trigger for easy storage The Pflueger Automatic Fly Reel is a longtime favorite among farm pond and small stream ent |
|
|
White River Fly Shop Heat Fly Rod 270 Fly Reel Outfit – Model HEAT8 270 – Rods/reels $249.99 White River Fly Shop Heat Fly Rod: 7’10″ rod delivers some wicked ”heat” Shorter, more aggressive power stroke on the cast Legal length for bass tournaments White River Fly Shop 270 Fly Reel: Narrow spool, true large arbor design Provides rapid line pickup Reduced drag loading Reduces tight line coils Cold-forged and CNC-machined aluminum Smooth in-line disc drag system Black hard-anodized finish Outfits include: White River Fly Shop Heat Fly Rod White River Fly Shop 270 Fly Reel World Wide Sportsman Extreme fly line Backing Leader Muscling big flies and big fish around tight cover requires rapid reflexes and a fly rod that can respond instantly. Hauling a snook out of mangroves or a bass out of a treetop are basically the same job, and they are best accomplished with a shorter rod that delivers more torque. The 7’10″ White River Fly Shop Heat Fly Rod bring some wicked heat to your game when you&8217;re driving home the iron; they also respond to a shorter, more aggressive power stroke on the cast. All in all, you get a power rod that can wrench a thrashing northern pike into net range or turn a running bull redfish back to the boat with an ease that will astound you. Legal length for bass tournaments. The narrow spool, true large arbor design of the White River Fly Shop 270 Fly Reel provides rapid line pickup and reduced drag loading. And because the spool is taller, it also reduces tight line coils, ensuring better line handling. The frame and spool are cold-forged and CNC-machined aluminum for unyielding hardness and rigidity. A super-smooth in-line disc drag system assures even pressure to protect light tippets. Black hard-anodized finish offers protection from the elements. Outfits also include World Wide Sportsman Extreme fly line, backing, and leader. White River Fly Shop Heat Fly Rod: 7’10″ rod delivers some wicked ”heat” Shorter, more aggressive power stroke on the cast Legal length for bass tournaments White River Fly Shop 270 Fly Reel: Narrow spool, true large arbor design Provides rapid |
|
|
A Good Day’s Fishing $9.4 New – What I need for a good day’s fishing is in here somewhere…. What’s the secret to a good day’s fishing? Bright sun. Cool breeze. Favorite rod and reel. Tackle box with bobbers, hooks, and sinkers. But we haven’t gotten to the secret…yet. James Prosek, best-selling author of “Trout and Fly-Fishing the 41st, “tells the story of a good day’s fishing in this beautiful picture book, illustrated with the author’s own gentle watercolors. For those who want to learn more about how to fish, |
|
|
A Treasury of Reels: The Fishing Reel Collection of the American Museum of Fly Fishing $225 Used |
