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Fly Fishing with Doug Macnair
A Product Update: A Rod Called Horse^©

By Doug Macnair

 

I had the absolute pleasure a couple of years ago of playing fun games with one of the latest additions to the G. Loomis family of fly rods -- specifically, the Mega Taper, 8’ 6", GLX 10/11-weight weighing a meager 4.2 ounces. In 2001, it remains one of the great rods…

 

I have long argued that a fly fisher should equip themselves with line and rod suitable to handling the worse adversary they expect to meet. Especially in saltwater, this likely to be none other than Mister Wind. My argument is simple: If you cannot get the fly to the fish, you cannot catch fish. Far too often, this is the case along our shorelines. The wind is sufficient in strength to defeat the fly cast. The truth is Mr. Wind should be regarded as the Number One Enemy of all fly fishers.

 

If the Wind is the #1 on the enemy’s list, far too many fly fishers sally forth ill-equipped to conquer the monster. (It sort of reminds me of a knight-errant going after the dragon without shield, lance and sword, armed instead only with a cheap pocketknife made in China especially for Slick Willie, our former whatever.) Most go forward with 8 or 9-weight rods, usually equipped with the wrong line, and stoically face defeat. Their argument usually centers on weights: the weight of the rod, reel, line, and backing. A rig too big, too heavy, and too cumbersome becomes a loser given a long day on the water.

 

That’s all too true, until now. Waving a rod through the air that’s 9-feet long and with a weight of over 6 ounces can become very tiring. Of course, there is the factor of the "closed-mind" among fly fishers that suggests a rod of 9-feet will cast further than a rod of lesser length. (If fly fishers could only keep an open mind, they might become expert in practicing the gentle art.) The truth is that although six inches shorter, this lighter rod with a different taper, can cast further than the best of the "niners."

 

The G. Loomis Mega series is just such an offering. It is superb! I like it so much that I actually wrote a little poem about my 10/11. It is versatile beyond belief. I’ve thrown an array of line weights ranging from 8- through its 10-weight rating. With a long line, I am talking about throwing the "whole thing" -- this means throwing the entire line plus the leader and fly. I think that’s neat. This is a rod with the guts to lever a big fish and a tip that loads quickly in adverse conditions.

 

And now for the highest praise I can offer:

 

A Rod Called Horse ^©

As the story goes, he came from the west,
Glad in gray, his tip-top gleaming in the morning sun.
His trappings were black, except for the pale blue stripe circling his waist,
Reflecting light in an irradiant way.
To me, he looked strong, mean, and lean.
To the contrary, smooth and polished said some.
Whatever the truth, there could be no doubt,
Here stood a lean, mean, fast gun.

 

"Howdy stranger. What brings you here?" I asked.
His eyes locked on mine as if to say,
"Because you called for me this day."
I heard no voice, but I heard the words . . .
They came soft and low.
Were they spoken or simply in my head?
The truth I may never know,
But these are the words that were said:
"I’ve work to do and fish to fight.
Where are these denizens of the deep you dread?"

 

Behind me, the sea breeze freshened.
Soon its strength would defeat my best cast,
Ending yet another day of the fly-fishing game.
The stranger bowed slightly, grinned a bit and said:
"I need not have asked -- It is the Wind you fear,
And that, my fly-fishing friend,
You have a right to dread."

 

"That’s why I came, to show you things you may not know
About how to best the Wind.
My name you asked?
I am called Horse, my fly fishing friend."
"How can that be?" I asked.
"You are slightly shorter than most, about 6 inches or so.
Do you have the stamina and strength to gun down the Wind?"

 

He smiled at me, as if a child, and said:
"I stand 8 feet, 6 inches, and that’s quite enough.
My spine is powerful and strong,
Built to take on Force 10 from Naverone.
Beyond this, Doug Macnair, know this:
I’ll take you to places on the water you have never been,
Especially when you face the wind.

These words I think he spoke, or where they only in my mind.
Whatever the truth, I may never know,
Except for one small thing:
Horse proved the truth of his words
And became my closest friend.
Now, when the wind decides to blow,
I really don’t give a damn,
Because a Rod called Horse is always close at hand.

 

Said any way I can say it; this fast taper rod is the best wind-fighter that I have ever laid hands on. To use it well, you need to fully comprehend wind casting using a low sidearm technique. Don’t do what so many other idiots advocate -- do not overline the rod thinking if it is rated a 10/11, a 12-weight line will be better. That simply proves you are ignorant.

 

For more information: contact G. Loomis, 1359 Down River Drive, Woodland, WA 98674. Telephone: 1-800-662-8818, or visit www.gloomis.com.

 

 

© Copyright: Douglas G. Macnair, 1998-2008

 

 

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