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Fly Fishing with Doug Mcnair
A Product Update: Tim Rajeff's Micro Practice Rod

By Doug Macnair

 

For those interersted in improving their fly cast, I've preached "practice, practice, practice" for years. My guess is that only about 20% bother to follow, what, to me, is a basic mandate. Regretably, I've heard about every possible rationale for why practicing is impossible ranging from, "I don't have access to the space I need," thru "I don't want to damage my fly line," to "I only practice when I fish."

 

Even though I've shown my clients how to build a practice device from a wooden dowel rod and a long piece of yarn, few have bothered to give it a try. Of course, Royal Wulff has been offering a more sophisticated device, called the Fly-O, for years ... while it has enjoyed some success, I don't think the statistics have changed very much.

 

 

I was excited when I first learned of Tim Rajeff's contribution to the field - that's when Rajeff Sports released the Echo Micro Practice Rod (MPR). Now, having spent a couple of months working with this casting aid, I believe the MPR has all the attributes the others lack: it is a miniture, nicely finished, 2-piece, 4-foot, fly rod complete with handle and single foot guides. The "line" is made of what appears to be a woven polyester. The "leader" appears to be made of yarn. But whatever the composition of line and leader, in conjunction with the rod's setup, they work well.

 

 

There can be no question -- if you learn to cast with the MPR, you will be a competent fly caster! With it you can perfect the roll cast, the overhead cast, the sidearm cast and the backhanded cast. You can learn both the single and double haul, and you can shoot line. Tim suggests that the MPR can also be used to master the elements of spey casting, a series of roll casting techniques rapidly gaining popularity in the US of A and an extension of the sport for which I judge myself to be a beginner.

 

That's not bad for an inexpensive training device - retail around $36.95 - that can be used for a lifetime in teaching yourself and others the gentle art. The MPR comes in a plastic tube along with Tim Rajefff's very simple and straight-forward instructions. (You know, of course, it's arguable as to who is really the best fly caster when it comes to Tim and his brother, Steve Rajeff ... both are superb and both are champions.)

 

As old age sets in, hindsight suggests that if only such a device had been available to youngsters like me a-way-back-when with little money and no instructors, who knows what might have happened to change my future.

 

In truth, practicing the fly cast is the secret to great fly fishing just as practicing the golf swing it is to a great game of golf ... after all, both have a lot in common. Screw up either one and the results will dampen your day on the course or in the creek. If you are serious about the sport, pickup an MPR and practice indoors or out. If you don't have high ceilings, try it while siting down. There is only one thing to remember, don't try roll casting on a hardwood floor ... you need to be on carpet.

 

For more information on the Echo MPR, contact Rajeff Sports, LLC. at http://www.echoflyfishing.com or write to Rajeff Sports, 7113 NW 25th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98665.[1] Telephone: 866.347.4359 / Fax: 360.694.1950

 

[1] The graphics used in this review are through the courtesy of Rajeff Sports, LLD.

 

 

© Copyright: Douglas G. Macnair, 2007-2008

 

 

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