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Walter & Group.....
[GH] Brief comment from Jim Gill in response to Steve Rajeff's message on fly rod design with respect to different ratings :
Thanks Gordy - that makes a lot of sense............. Regards, Jim.
[GH] Yes. I figured they probably did something like that as they went from a blank of an established designation to one higher.
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From Craig Buckbee :
Gordy,
below is from Al Buhr's booklet "How to Design Fly Lines".
craig
"The Fly Rod
The fly rod is an essential part of building a line. The rod's size, length, action and power or strength are all factors in developing the line design. Single and double-handed fly rods come in a wide range of line weights and lengths. There is a variety of rod actions, each tailored to solve a fishing task, as well as having their unique feel.
The rod action originates from the rod shaft's taper, the rod shaft's wall thickness, the rod material's modulus, and the material's lay-up. Each will affect the rod's action in a slightly different manner.
- The rod shaft's taper is the root of the rod action. The faster the taper, the faster the shaft will straighten when loaded. Each section of the rod can have a different taper or step taper to develop a desired action.
- The shaft's wall thickness will affect the rod action. As the wall thickens, the layers or wraps power fibers increase allowing the shaft diameter to reduce. Increasing the wall thickness adds to the weight of the rod while adding integrity and durability. Increasing the wall thickness supports the shaft under a load. When under an extreme load, the shaft's hoop can become oval, lose it's rigidity and collapse.
- The rod material's modulus will affect the rod's loading and recovery. The (elastic) modulus is a measure of the material's resistance to bend. The higher the modulus, the resistance to bend is greater, and the rod will recover faster.
- The materials lay-up is the mystical part of the rod, which develops its soul. The rod's taper, in a combination with the wraps of one or various power fibers, creates the rod action.
Fly rods are available in several combinations of sections. Two-piece and four-piece are the most common. To analyze how a progressive rod action works, let's separate the shaft into four segments; the tip, the second, the third, and the butt.
- The tip's strength dictates the line weight. The tip's flex will influence the rod's inherent or natural loop size and shape.
- The second is a vital part of the rod's integrity. It supports the tip as it straightens as well as develops line speed and dictates loops size and shape. If the second is weak, the rod may collapse when under an excessive load.
- The third is the rod's strength or power. The third flexes from the leverage of the tip and second, while being driven by the butt section. Like the second section, the third must be strong enough to support the sections above, the tip and the second. If the third is weak, less power or energy will develop during the loading move. If the third lacks the ability to support the upper sections, the rod will collapse when under an excessive load.
- The rod butt is the soul of the rod action. It gives the rod its feel and personality. The butt dictates the pace the rod loads and unloads. As the butt becomes stiffer, the upper sections travel a shorter distance during the loading move. As the rod action becomes faster, the natural rod loading stroke length shortens. Likewise, the head length shortens.
The rod action is not an indicator of the rod's strength or power. A slow action rod can be very powerful. For example, a slow action with a high modulus material will have a strong internal strength and snappy recovery.
It is beneficial to match the line's shape and weight with the rod's action so that one enhances the other. When designing the head, factor in the rod action. The rod will have an inherent or natural cycle time as it loads and unloads. The faster the rod action, the quicker it will load and unload and, accordingly, the shorter the head becomes. The caster can lengthen or shorten the casting stroke, but these changes begin from the rod's natural cycle time. Matching the rod action with the head length will help to make a smooth casting outfit.
Consider the rod's size and length. Each line size has a realistic range for a given task. Rustling buffalo with bailer twine may not work out, so stay within the rod's scope. When the rod length increases, generally it will handle a longer head. With two-handed rods where lengths can vary four or more feet, as the rod becomes longer, lengthen the head. " *
*How To Design Fly Lines by Al Buhr
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