What next for the fly rod?

[nicholas]

Was thinking this morning after i saw Grants post about the Vision rods,

What next for the flyrod????

In the next 10 years how do you think the fly rod will evolve???

[Andre]

I don't think they will evolve much at all. Perhaps higher performance composite materials may play a roll, but I feel that the evolution of the sport will still continue with changes and discoveries of new techniques, and methods of fly ffishing. If you look at most advancements recently, they have not been done to rods, but more so with fly lines, hooks, tying materials and techniques, as well as actual fishing techniques. Not to forget reel technology advancements.
Remember that advancments in rod technology have been driven by the pursuit of species that were not previously targeted on fly. Particularly salt water fly fishing. Just about everything is now targetted, so all that remains, is to advance the techniques.
Competition Fly fishing has played a roll, with more specific Czech nymphing rods being developed to cater for the requirements of this technique.
Graphite and carbon fibre, is probably the ultimate in durable ,lightweight, high performance materials. (but then we said this about glass fibre at one stage..didn't we??)

[Chris Shelton]

I don't think they will evolve much at all. Perhaps higher performance composite materials may play a roll, but I feel that the evolution of the sport will still continue with changes and discoveries of new techniques, and methods of fly ffishing. If you look at most advancements recently, they have not been done to rods, but more so with fly lines, hooks, tying materials and techniques, as well as actual fishing techniques. Not to forget reel technology advancements.
Remember that advancments in rod technology have been driven by the pursuit of species that were not previously targeted on fly. Particularly salt water fly fishing. Just about everything is now targetted, so all that remains, is to advance the techniques.
Competition Fly fishing has played a roll, with more specific Czech nymphing rods being developed to cater for the requirements of this technique.
Graphite and carbon fibre, is probably the ultimate in durable ,lightweight, high performance materials. (but then we said this about glass fibre at one stage..didn't we??)

Dead right, but dont forget that sentiment and past tradition also plays a big role in future trends, for example, the continuous ongoing appeal for bamboo rods, and the more recent interest in the manufacture of glass fibre rods again, just to cater for the sentimental old farts like me

[nicholas]

I don't think they will evolve much at all. Perhaps higher performance composite materials may play a roll, but I feel that the evolution of the sport will still continue with changes and discoveries of new techniques, and methods of fly ffishing. If you look at most advancements recently, they have not been done to rods, but more so with fly lines, hooks, tying materials and techniques, as well as actual fishing techniques. Not to forget reel technology advancements.
Remember that advancments in rod technology have been driven by the pursuit of species that were not previously targeted on fly. Particularly salt water fly fishing. Just about everything is now targetted, so all that remains, is to advance the techniques.
Competition Fly fishing has played a roll, with more specific Czech nymphing rods being developed to cater for the requirements of this technique.
Graphite and carbon fibre, is probably the ultimate in durable ,lightweight, high performance materials. (but then we said this about glass fibre at one stage..didn't we??)

Makes sense, about the rods,maybe the question should extend to all tackle,i recently read an article about a new fibre that when sample pieces the width of cotton where used it had a breaking strain greater than iron of the same thickness but did not have the weight density(something like that,you get the picture) I suppose as new materials become available the tackle makers will find a many ways of exploiting them for the fishing market.

[FastAction]

Was thinking this morning after i saw Grants post about the Vision rods,

What next for the flyrod????

In the next 10 years how do you think the fly rod will evolve???

"Buckypaper". They reckon it will replace graphite eventually.

http://www.startribune.com/science/3...D3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

10 times lighter but 500 times stronger than steel.

"That idea — that there is great future promise for buckypaper and other derivatives of the ultra-tiny cylinders known as carbon nanotubes — has been floated for years now. However, researchers at Florida State University say they have made important progress that may soon turn hype into reality.

Buckypaper is made from tube-shaped carbon molecules 50,000 times thinner than a human hair. Due to its unique properties, it is envisioned as a wondrous new material for light, energy-efficient aircraft and automobiles, more powerful computers, improved TV screens and many other products.

So far, buckypaper can be made at only a fraction of its potential strength, in small quantities and at a high price. The Florida State researchers are developing manufacturing techniques that soon may make it competitive with the best composite materials now available."

"By the end of next year we should have a buckypaper composite as strong as IM7, and it's 35 percent lighter," Wang said.

Now thats some statement...and if true, will hold extreme value in fishing rods. Eventually the heaviest thing on your tackle will be the fly line at 140grains! (using a 5wt line for example).

[nicholas]

"Buckypaper". They reckon it will replace graphite eventually.

http://www.startribune.com/science/3...D3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

10 times lighter but 500 times stronger than steel.

"That idea — that there is great future promise for buckypaper and other derivatives of the ultra-tiny cylinders known as carbon nanotubes — has been floated for years now. However, researchers at Florida State University say they have made important progress that may soon turn hype into reality.

Buckypaper is made from tube-shaped carbon molecules 50,000 times thinner than a human hair. Due to its unique properties, it is envisioned as a wondrous new material for light, energy-efficient aircraft and automobiles, more powerful computers, improved TV screens and many other products.

So far, buckypaper can be made at only a fraction of its potential strength, in small quantities and at a high price. The Florida State researchers are developing manufacturing techniques that soon may make it competitive with the best composite materials now available."

"By the end of next year we should have a buckypaper composite as strong as IM7, and it's 35 percent lighter," Wang said.

Now thats some statement...and if true, will hold extreme value in fishing rods. Eventually the heaviest thing on your tackle will be the fly line at 140grains! (using a 5wt line for example).

Thats interesting stuff.............So in years to come we may see the
'Sage nanotube buckypaper 000000000000000# on the streams'

[FastAction]

Thats interesting stuff.............So in years to come we may see the
'Sage nanotube buckypaper 000000000000000# on the streams'

Yes...with catchy phrases like "Superb Precision-Engineered Balance", or "Smooth Accurate Responce", or "Unmatched Multi-Modulus Characteristics", etc etc etc...which at the end of the day means absolutely nothing, but sounds so impressive!
Drop these phrases at any fly-fishing gathering and you will immediately be seen as "THE One Expert"...and who could prove you wrong?

Rod manufacturers have very clever marketing guys...

[Chris Shelton]

I wonder when they are going to produce an 'eyeless' rod, where the line travels through the blank and becomes an extension of the rod tip! Now that would be quite an innovation!

[windknot]

We humans are a funny lot. Like with every other aspect of our endeavours when we reach the apex of development a movement towards a simpler more basic experience starts. A typical example would be archery, a method of delivering a projectile over a distance with power and accuracy. The basic science has been unchanged for 20 000 years but the technology of bows and arrows has evolved to use the most high tech materials, yet people who have reached the rarified heights are often seduced by the limitations of natural materials and find great pleasure and satisfaction building and using what amounts to a primitive tool. So if I could lay my hands on so bamboo I might be convinced that a cane rod is my next fishing tool

[FastAction]

I wonder when they are going to produce an 'eyeless' rod, where the line travels through the blank and becomes an extension of the rod tip! Now that would be quite an innovation!

I speak under correction, but they have tried it with a bait-casting rod. Line travelled through the blank itself. They canned it though...too much area where the line touches the blank of course, causing a lot of friction. Once the line makes a groove on the inside of the blank, you throw the rod away. At least with eyes, you can replace eyes if they are worn. Plus, a LOT less line-to-surface contact, so 99% less friction on the line.