This article is just wrong on the physics of casting and what a fly rod does or doesn’t do. We can argue to any length but ss an aerospace engineer who has simulated and analyzed a fly rod structure I ca tell you this is just wrong.
Jack, respectfully, most beginners can easily tell the difference between glass, medium-action and "fast-action" (Helios-type) fly rods, given the correct instruction. Also, the skill involved in throwing a 2-weight 15 feet into some mountain pocket water, and the separate skill of throwing a saltwater 11-weight 100 feet (into the wind) for cruising tarpon - are so fundamentally different, they might as well be different sports. Every physical attribute of these two environments are also completely different: weather, water, fish size and speed, casting distance, technical casting ability. This is basically like comparing the ability to drive a golf cart to that of a formula one car: the "skill" levels and attributes are vastly different. - Andrew
I think this is a terrible take. Fast action rods gave many uses and a beginner caster couldn't tell the difference between a 2x4 and a helios. I think all rods have their time and place and it takes the same amount of skill to cast any rod wether its a 2wt classic trout or a 12wt helios
We tend to see that super fast rods produce two significant challenges: 1. The increased rod speed allows beginners or intermediates to carry a lot more line than they would be comfortable casting otherwise (with a more medium-action rod) - "getting over you skis" from the snow sport analogy. This also exacerbates casting mistakes when they happen. 2. These same casters also aren't allowing themselves to "feel" the cast - most importantly, when it works or fails, and thus don't receive the casting feedback they should be integrating into their stroke. - Andrew
"It isn’t the gear, it’s the player, and that’s just as true with fly fishing as with other sports." I preach this in every class. You are so right, learning the fundamentals and establishing good mechanics is essential.
CosmicJohn,
What specifically is wrong? There's almost zero "fly-fishing physics" in the article - it's a thought piece by Deeter.
This article is just wrong on the physics of casting and what a fly rod does or doesn’t do. We can argue to any length but ss an aerospace engineer who has simulated and analyzed a fly rod structure I ca tell you this is just wrong.
Jack, respectfully, most beginners can easily tell the difference between glass, medium-action and "fast-action" (Helios-type) fly rods, given the correct instruction. Also, the skill involved in throwing a 2-weight 15 feet into some mountain pocket water, and the separate skill of throwing a saltwater 11-weight 100 feet (into the wind) for cruising tarpon - are so fundamentally different, they might as well be different sports. Every physical attribute of these two environments are also completely different: weather, water, fish size and speed, casting distance, technical casting ability. This is basically like comparing the ability to drive a golf cart to that of a formula one car: the "skill" levels and attributes are vastly different. - Andrew
I think this is a terrible take. Fast action rods gave many uses and a beginner caster couldn't tell the difference between a 2x4 and a helios. I think all rods have their time and place and it takes the same amount of skill to cast any rod wether its a 2wt classic trout or a 12wt helios
We tend to see that super fast rods produce two significant challenges: 1. The increased rod speed allows beginners or intermediates to carry a lot more line than they would be comfortable casting otherwise (with a more medium-action rod) - "getting over you skis" from the snow sport analogy. This also exacerbates casting mistakes when they happen. 2. These same casters also aren't allowing themselves to "feel" the cast - most importantly, when it works or fails, and thus don't receive the casting feedback they should be integrating into their stroke. - Andrew
"It isn’t the gear, it’s the player, and that’s just as true with fly fishing as with other sports." I preach this in every class. You are so right, learning the fundamentals and establishing good mechanics is essential.