Fly Rod Facts and Marketing

- Progression of Fly Rod Materials -

Heart Wood

Cane

Fibreglass

Graphite

...and more to come.

- Cane -

In 1846, Samuel Phillipe from Pennsylvania made the first six strips designed from Calcutta cane. It was H. L. Leonard that first started

making machinery to produce cane and bamboo fly rods. H.L. Leonard too then moved to make complete bamboo rods exclusively in 1874

and is still in business today.

Casting characteristics are defined by the tapers and those who designed them…

Cattanach Garrison Granger Hardy Heddon Leonard Payne Powell

- Fiberglass -

In the early 1940's, the possibility of using fibreglass as a material for complete rod blanks had it's humble beginnings. Fiberglass fabric was wrapped on a wood rod, epoxy finished and thus it began. When the inventors figured out

how to do away with the wood center the first hollow rods were born. It took a while for the new material to be adopted,but the advantages were soon evident...

- Fibreglass rods were somewhat lighter yet had much the same feel -

- Tapers were easier to create, less expensive to produce and more affordable -

- Fibreglass fly rods were nearly indestructable -

- Graphite -

In the early 1970's graphite fly rods first made an appearance and the industry began a metamorphisis when graphite and other similar materials were

introduced. Fly rods were now substantially lighter...and could be designed in a variety of much stiffer tapers to create a wide range of actions...giving a whole new look and feel to the rods themselves. These began as 32 million modulus

graphite and have quickly moved to designs that incorporate 100 million modulus graphite. We won’t go into a technical discussion on what modulus means but

simply, a higher modulus rating means a stiffer graphite fibre with less intrinsic flex. Does a higher modulus mean a better rod?

No, but we have been inundated with marketing that tells us what makes a better performing fly rod. Some of these are truths and some are not.

Let's start by looking at a few common terms bantered around about graphite fly rods...

Vocabulary of the designer...

Mandril - A tapered rod around which the rod is wrapped

Modulus - The stiffness of the dry graphite fibres

Resin - A flexible cohesive that binds the graphite

Prepreg - The combination of the graphite and resin

Scrim - A thin layer of graphite added to hold the prepreg in place.

To describe a fly rod, we could use the simple analogy similar to reinforced concrete. The graphite is the reinforcing steel and the resin is the concrete. Scrim is the thin layer of graphite or fiberglass added to hold the prepreg in place as it is wrapped around a mandril. And thus, your fly rod is complete.

There are only 3 variables that can change when designing a fly rod...

...the material, the wall thickness and the diameter. That's it!- Material -

This is both the graphite itself, as well as the resin and scrim that is used to bond the whole thing together. A number of dry graphite “modulus tows” exist ranging from

IM6 to IM10.The higher the number, the stiffer and more brittle the rod becomes.

- Wall thickness -

The product of the number of wraps of prepreg around the mandrel as determined by the pattern. It’s an important consideration because wall thickness contributes to the

rod’s sensitivity, strength and durability. At this point the manufacturer faces a dilemma...

a thin walled ultra-light a high modulus fly rod is much less durable.

- Diameter -

The taper of the mandrel drives the rod’s diameter. Diameter is the most important consideration in determining the strength when flexed. Unfortunately, graphite "lacks

a lot" in transverse tensile strength. Never allow the side wall of a graphite rod to receive a sharp blow or hit another surface under load. It is apt to cause the rod to fail, if not now, than sometime in the future. And watch those heavy bead head or

saltwater flies!

Words of wonder...

Intrinsic power

Response rate frequency

Static deflection and spine location

Harmonic resonance

Dampening

And perhaps the most mystical of all...

- Actions -

Slow Moderate Medium

Medium fast Fast Ultra-fast

...and more always on the way!

Sometimes it seems that the manufacturers want us believe

that we are a bit like the action of the rod we choose.That is not the case...or we hope not!

The various fly rod actions all have their place and none should be overlooked in choosing your fly rod.

- Fly Rod Marketing Myths -

Lighter is better

High modulus graphite equals a better fly rod

A fast action is a better casting rod

The standards will remain the same

One company is the best at all things

Spinning Rod vs. Fly Rod

What are the Differences

To perfectly describe a fly rod, simply pick a few choice “buzz phrases”...

“robust precision engineering” “stylish delicate sensitivity” “proprietary multi-modulus grahphite” “superb unprecedented response”

To create an unquestionable review, just fill in the blanks...add a bit of “catalogue jargon” and you have it!

“In a superb unprecedented response to the changing demands of sophisticated fly fishermen,LeRod has introduced the KY series. Reflective of LeRod's robust precision engineering, theKY is a perfect choice for every casting challenge. LeRod's world renouned proprietary multi-modulus graphite brings forward a stylish delicate sensitivity never before thought possible.

The KY series is part of a unique integrated ground-breaking system using our legendary“Trade Marked” action and proprietary taper design to deliver a perfectly balanced loading system.”

Just one question...what the heck does that mean?

- The future for fly rod technology -

Tapers will drive the business

Single foot guides may well become the standard

The industry will move away from extra fast tapers

Retro material will come back, including fiberglass…and cane as always...with new contenders arising from other fibres currently under

development.

The only constant will be change...and the evolution will continue.

- The latest release from Great Bay Fly Rods -

- The SFT Fibreglass Fly Rod Series -

Great Bay Fly Rods has just released a new series of fibreglass fly rods built on traditon.

Smooth casting with typically delicate presentations, these rods are perfect for small rivers, streams and creeks. Featuring the best in modern fibreglass

technology and components that deliver the superb characteristics of fibreglass fly rods.

Available in lengths from 6.5 foot to 7 foot and weights 2 through 5.

All right...so we too are sometimes guilty of just “a bit” of clever marketing jargon...but they are very nice rods and a lot of fun to use!

- Questions -