Recently on Facebook there was an interesting link to a piece by Simon Cooper.
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Fishing-Breaks---A-cast-from-the-past.html?soid=1101626840123&aid=XjeRHcCgcOw
Saying why do we pretend cane fly rods are any good.? I am sure that the post was targeted at getting a reaction but it does ask a sensible question , After all whey would we use craftsmanship and feel rather than technology and the latest space age tech. Why would we not take advantage of progress? I think the answer has to be for me because sometimes they are best, for sure carbon fibre does indeed provide a wonderful material for fly rods I have several, actually many , but there are a few reasons why I still love the bamboo. The judgment is not one based on science and pure performance rather the it is down to qualitative and not quantitative factors. For example as much as I have a nice powerful and comfortable German car that will cruise all day long at the limit and do everything I want if I had a lottery win at some point I would find a nice classic sports car to have a run round the country lanes on a warm summers evening. I suppose I could have indulged in something like it now but truth is I like fly rods a lot more than cars ,well its a similar analogy for cane rods they do the same as carbon but I think in a more leisurely and classy way , by the way I am new to cane its only the last 6 or 7 years when I have started to gain the habit ,
This is by usual standards on my streams a nice open pool but you are constantly surrounded by trees usually with a high bank behind you and nothing is manicured there are lots of things waiting to grab the fly . The rod is a six foot three weight and the silk line is perfect , roll casting and tight loops when required come easily. Also forget the rods did I mention stealth?. Stealth doesn`t come easy for me. A little overweight, well over 60 and someone who spends most days behind a desk. But if you aren`t stealthy the fish will not play ball.
To really appreciate Cane I think you need to fly fish a while , probably 20 years plus. Perhaps slow down a bit and get rid of all that youthful energy and the need to catch more and bigger fish. Then start to enjoy the finer things in life. These days I drink less wine but I drink finer wine there is I am sure a link there , Perhaps I need to ditch the plastic cool box and get a wicker hamper and a proper picnic set as well perhaps some nice preserves and cured meats now instead of the crisps and sandwiches. I don`t think I could do the full Peter Arfield and actually dress period style. So I shall continue to look as elegant as an unopened Arab Dustbin to quote the great Spike Milligan. Seriously if you are fishing small streams try a cane rod. You wont regret it...