After some time I have put together a Fly Rod/Reel package and line that epitomizes High Performance.  As mentioned in a previous article, I received a Winston BIIMX 5wt with a fighting butt, and promised a test ride.  The package includes a Galvan Torque T-4, backed with 100yds 30lb Gel Spun backing, and a Scientific Anglers Sharkskin 6wt fly line.  This combination provided me with the in the hand balance I like but may not be for everyone.

First and foremost, as you would expect from Winston, the craftsman ship is flawless, and the new Fighting Butt reel seat is a pleasure to look at as well as its ability to houze a reel with rubberized compression rings between the lockers.  This rod, held comfortably at your side, feels extremely lightweight for a 5wt.  Without lining it, it is noticeably stiffer than the Winston you are familiar with.

For testing purposes, I chose Airflo's Ridge in 5wt, Orvis' Wonderline Easy Mend in both 5 and 6wt, and Scientific Anglers GPX 6, Expert Distance 6, and of course the New Sharkskin in both 5 and 6wt.

Generally the biggest suprise was how easy unrolling loops in various sizes is given the fact that this is a very fast rod, touted as Winston's fastest 5wt ever built.  For overall performance I preferred 6wt fly lines, however the 5wts worked well especially when the carry was extended to the 55ft range.  Loading for distance with the 5wt lines was accomplished easily by quick rotation with the 55ft carry and easily shot an additional 25ft of line along with it.

For maximum performance at range with the least amount of effort, I prefer one of the 6wt lines, and hands down it was the Expert Distance or the Sharkskin.  These lines with their compound heads unrolled well at all distances, and it was possible to clear the Sharkskin from the rod tip from time to time.  With a little work I may be able to clear the 10ft longer Expert distance with this rod.  Although this rod can go long, what I enjoyed most is the incredibly tight loops accomplisged at close range.  No question that extreme accuracy is possible with this rod, and if casting in the wind has been a problem you will really enjoy this rod.  I am a bonified "Big Ugly" streamer guy and look forward to "Throwing Bulk" with this stick which I expect will be handled easily.

If you haven't, regardless if you are in the market or not, go to a shop and give it a whirl.  My guess is you will be pleasantly suprised. 

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No I am not referring to any of my students over the last ten years, however some have suffered from it.  Widely referred to in the Fly Casting world, “Creep”, is a condition which plagues most entry level Fly Casters, and can progress into Intermediate Level Casters if left un-diagnosed.  Simply put, “Creep” refers to angular rotation of the Fly Rod early in the Casting Stroke with little or no application of power.

A number of factors can be looked at which can cause this condition, but is easily recognized by a quick ramp up in the application of power, almost too late, and inefficient loop formation usually ending up on the water in an un-straightened heap.  Sound familiar?  I thought it might, and if you were to view it on the “Casting Analyzer” graph, you would see a shallow hump followed by a relatively long depression, and suddenly the line on the graph would rise significantly.  A sudden surge in power application.

For this writing I will suggest that one of the causes is likely the presence of slack Fly Line somewhere along the length of the Fly Rod or beyond the tip.  Consider this, that if no slack line were present and the Rod was held parallell to the casting surface, a load would be placed on the Fly Rod immediately by simply lifting it.  From this initial lift a smooth application of power could be applied to a point where the Rod should be stopped in either the forward or backcast.  On the “Casting Analyzer” the graph would appear as a fluid continuous upward curve, no rapid rise, indicating considerably less effort to accomplish in effect more work.  Sounds simple, and it really is, however as mentioned, there are a number of other factors that could be involved as well.  More on the subject to follow….  

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