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Walter and Group...
From Ally Gowans :
Hi Gordy,
There will never be a perfect way to rate rods simply because we each cast them differently and for every two of us there are three opinions. Line ratings are much simpler and the AFFTA system for single handed rod lines is easily understood, accepted and as good as any.
The AFFTA two-handed rod system is overly complicated and hardly practical. A rod whether single or double handed is capable of being used with several line ratings depending on the casting style and comparative effort to accelerate the line with either hand (assuming hauls with a single handed rod).
Bruce & Walker made a single handed rod of about 11ft rated AFTM #4/9 some years ago. I never understood how that rating was given! As you said many good rods are made in the Far East and I can add including Hardy’s rods and most of their reels. The people of China etc are very talented and every bit as capable as anyone else when it comes to making fly rods and its just unfortunate that we cannot compete with them on costs.
Re tests I have made several recommendations that outfits for the tests should be supplied on the day by the examining body. The candidate should be given a few minutes to choose which one to use from a few outfits and then get on with the tests. In the real World customers arrive with their outfits, sometimes they are incorrectly matched or assembled and that has to be put right and thereafter the instructor should teach and demonstrate using a student’s outfit to give confidence that the gear is OK.
Best wishes,
Ally Gowans
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[GH]
Ally,
How true.
Several years ago, I had a student who was having all sorts of trouble even with basic casts. He was using a 6 wt. stiff fly rod matched with a 5 wt. weight forward fly line. Turned out the main problem was that he had put that line on backwards and so was actually trying to cast with the level running line !
I have a 14' G.Loomis Spey rod rated 8/9. For me, I do best when I match it with a mid-Spey 10/11 line.
I like your suggestion on testing. A real Master should be able to help students with mismatch problems of all sorts .... yet this is not part of our current exam.
Jim Valle has pointed out the importance of having the instructor cast with the student's tackle early in the game.
Gordy
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