Viking Lars | Saturday, 30 November 2024
A lot of fly fishers spend a lot of money on their tackle. There really several good reasons for this. Some, like me, fish many types of fishing, where the same tackle doesn’t always cross over well. Many like to have the latest versions of the brand or models they like. That of course goes for both rods, reels, clothing and bags (oh yes, bags!).
I know the feeling - joy - of owning something luxurious is nice and somehow there’s a comfort in knowing that it’s not the tackle setting limits. We all know that’s very rarely the case, as long as you’ve spoken to a competent dealer or fly fisher. I my firm opinion the focus should be on lines and leaders. Apart from practicing and getting instruction that’s where the immediate improvement of your tackle lies.
It’s important to remember that what ever tackle you have isn’t getting any worse than it was the day you got it. Lines will wear and crack, leaders need frequent replacement, wader might need repairs, but rods and reels really doesn’t degrade as suc. Very few people can actually wear out a rod. Unless they use cracked line for too long - remember to check them, because worn rod rings also kill lines at an impressive speed.
There are those who say that the rod they have is still better than them, so they won’t get a new one. For many that’s absolutely true, but despite the above it’s also important to remember that when/if you get better, a new and different rod can actually give you new opportunities. The one thing that doesn’t apply to is reels. You might need a hefty reel for salmon or tropical freight trains, but otherwise the reality is that most reels can suit you for as long as they can turn. I personally prefer my reels to be as light as possible, within reason taking into consideration that they also have to be useable. I’ve never ever bought into the whole “rod-reel-balance-thing”. Once the lines is out the top ring, all rods are tip heavy. Even my long 15’ salmon rods are fitted with “light” reels. A 10-wt line and 300 yards of backing can’t exactly be called light.
Some brands release new models more often than others. The Hot Torpedos aren’t in that category. I know how long time Paul spends on the prototypes. We really don’t get to see each other that often, but I know it was four years between I tried the first prototype of the 4-wt until it was put on the market. If you’re curious I didn’t really like the first prototype. I love the one I have now and that tells a story of true development. And I’m in no was saying that Paul’s the only one who does that, but I think he might be the ones spending most time on prototypes. He is of course doing it by himself and new prototypes takes about 11 years in shipment between the factory and the jungle - assuming that a tiger doesn’t eat it on its way, in which case it’s 16 years.
I’ve had the privilige of owning and trying a lor of rods. I don’t rotate often, because I really want to feel a change - and a change that I like. A new and different model of a certain rod doesn’t mean it’s better. Maybe it has more advanced technology, new hardware etc., but I might like not it any way. In which case I don’t rotate. I own several Hot Torpedo rods - two of them in different version, one a custom one. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have other rods in the same weight, because rods aren’t the same. The most frequent reason I choose one rod over the other is length. Apart from line weight I prefer on the given rods, of course.
So how big is the development really? It’s impossible to quantify, but there’s a very obvious and even objective improvement over the years. I’ve tried many of the rods I fished extensively through several years decades ago. Rods I today find that I don’t like at all. A few of them even to a degree where I find them bad. And there are exceptions and it’s all based on taste and preference anyway. I’ve fished Scott rods for over 25 years and still do. One thing I’ve always wondered is how few brands used to make 9’ 5-wt saltwater rods. At the moment I can think of Sage’s RPLXi and Scott’s S3s and S4s. I think TFO might have one as well. And herein lies an example of what I felt was a set back. I really liked the Scott S3 and never really cared for the S4s. I’ve often also preferred freshwater versions over salt water versions.
However, I liked both the Scott S3s 905 and a S4s 905 and a couple of weeks ago I noticed and S4s 905 for sale really cheap and bought it. When I first tried it I was curious how it felt compared to other 5-wt and how I remembered the rod. I can certainly feel that it’s not current technology, but it’s still a very good rod that I’ll happily fish.
So in short - remember to try new rods against older ones.
Have a great weekend!
Lars