Post by ShadowCaster on May 2, 2005 17:12:56 GMT 8
Rod #1082 arrived in pristine condition on Thus. That was rather quick work by AJ considering the fact that I only first discussed the taper with Ron & AJ last month over teh phone.
I had asked for an 8' 3/2 5wt hollow built for the big waters in New Zealand and Alaska. Ron reckoned that I probably need a 6wt but he thinks that a "solid DT5" would probably best serve the need.
We discussed about taper and I mentioned that I'm especially fond of the Payne 197 and Leonard 50DF. I could almost hear something clicked in Rod's head over the phone when he mentioned that he had cast a hollowed Payne 201 that reminds him a lot of the 50DF. He could certainly have AK tweak the taper such that the rod would have similar feel but with a lot more power for casting and landing bigger fish.
Its amazing to see and feel the product of those several phone conversations. As usual, AJ's rod cosmetics are impecable. It is hardly surprising after he had made and sold over 1000 rods. There are some slight edges on the thread works but I'm not complaining since I received the rod only after a month.
I fished the rod with 4 different lines, SA XXD WF5, RIO Grand WF5, Cortland 444 DT5 and SA Bonefish taper WF5. The rod handles all the line well but I like it with the XXD the best.
Perhaps it was divine timing that the rod arrived just prior to a weekend of Peacock Bass feeding frenzy that I had not encountered for a long while. I hooked and landed no less that 50 fishies over the first days on streamers, nymphs and even dry flies. The biggest was 5lb.
The rod tip was forgiving and deceivingly powerful. the rod loads nicely with just 5' of fly line and continue to perform while false-casting up 60ft. AJ had indeed built a "solid 5" as the rod was managing 80-90' with the Bonefish taper with precision. The supple mid allow me to mend and roll cast easily up to 40ft.
With a relaxed "book under the elbow" style, the rod almost cast itself. It gracefully rolls out 50ft of line without any hint of shock-waves onthe line.
Push it a little and the rod butt will perform 80' on a double haul. There is simply amazing reserve power on this rod.
When the peacock action was hot, I must admit that I threw caution to the wind and started high-sticking some of the fish in so that I could release them and catch another! I guess when AJ designed the rod to handle double digit Rainbows in New Zealand and Alaska, it should be able to take any punishment from 1-2 lb bass without a sweat, and it did. But I did play it cool on 2 fishes, one was a very bad tempered 3 pounder and the other was a 5 pounder that swallowed a smaller bass that took my fly.
Let's wait and see how it handles those mama Alaskan Rainbows..........
I had asked for an 8' 3/2 5wt hollow built for the big waters in New Zealand and Alaska. Ron reckoned that I probably need a 6wt but he thinks that a "solid DT5" would probably best serve the need.
We discussed about taper and I mentioned that I'm especially fond of the Payne 197 and Leonard 50DF. I could almost hear something clicked in Rod's head over the phone when he mentioned that he had cast a hollowed Payne 201 that reminds him a lot of the 50DF. He could certainly have AK tweak the taper such that the rod would have similar feel but with a lot more power for casting and landing bigger fish.
Its amazing to see and feel the product of those several phone conversations. As usual, AJ's rod cosmetics are impecable. It is hardly surprising after he had made and sold over 1000 rods. There are some slight edges on the thread works but I'm not complaining since I received the rod only after a month.
I fished the rod with 4 different lines, SA XXD WF5, RIO Grand WF5, Cortland 444 DT5 and SA Bonefish taper WF5. The rod handles all the line well but I like it with the XXD the best.
Perhaps it was divine timing that the rod arrived just prior to a weekend of Peacock Bass feeding frenzy that I had not encountered for a long while. I hooked and landed no less that 50 fishies over the first days on streamers, nymphs and even dry flies. The biggest was 5lb.
The rod tip was forgiving and deceivingly powerful. the rod loads nicely with just 5' of fly line and continue to perform while false-casting up 60ft. AJ had indeed built a "solid 5" as the rod was managing 80-90' with the Bonefish taper with precision. The supple mid allow me to mend and roll cast easily up to 40ft.
With a relaxed "book under the elbow" style, the rod almost cast itself. It gracefully rolls out 50ft of line without any hint of shock-waves onthe line.
Push it a little and the rod butt will perform 80' on a double haul. There is simply amazing reserve power on this rod.
When the peacock action was hot, I must admit that I threw caution to the wind and started high-sticking some of the fish in so that I could release them and catch another! I guess when AJ designed the rod to handle double digit Rainbows in New Zealand and Alaska, it should be able to take any punishment from 1-2 lb bass without a sweat, and it did. But I did play it cool on 2 fishes, one was a very bad tempered 3 pounder and the other was a 5 pounder that swallowed a smaller bass that took my fly.
Let's wait and see how it handles those mama Alaskan Rainbows..........
,
.... A few more weeks of shopping before the BOBs gathering can materialize 
.... 
,
... money taken... rod and reel AWOL 