Ran some classic patterns down a steelhead riffle today with my 13' Sharpes impregnated rod. Started with a Brads Brat and a Rio 10/11 Midspey Line with a 15' Type VI tip. Was able to cast the entire 60' head and a 15' tip. Hairwings are out of fashion for winter steelhead but the long polar bear wing undulated nicely in the water.
Second time down the riffle I switched to an Ackroyd Dee fly, a Bridge Wintertide 8/9 550 grain line and a 12' 100 grain Type VI sinking tip. I had to put some lead core line on my Beaudex under the backing to make it balance the rod. Dennis Worley recommended the Wintertide with bamboo and it's a great line for lighter tips and lighter flies. It's a 32' head (44' with the tip) so not as much stripping is required at the end of each cast.
Shows you how versatile the Sharpes spliced bamboo rods are. My 13' spliced Sharpes is rated #9, but handles both an 8/9 Wintertide line and a 10/11 Midspey. I think the Sharpes rods are the best buy in used bamboo.
Second time down the riffle I switched to an Ackroyd Dee fly, a Bridge Wintertide 8/9 550 grain line and a 12' 100 grain Type VI sinking tip. I had to put some lead core line on my Beaudex under the backing to make it balance the rod. Dennis Worley recommended the Wintertide with bamboo and it's a great line for lighter tips and lighter flies. It's a 32' head (44' with the tip) so not as much stripping is required at the end of each cast.
Shows you how versatile the Sharpes spliced bamboo rods are. My 13' spliced Sharpes is rated #9, but handles both an 8/9 Wintertide line and a 10/11 Midspey. I think the Sharpes rods are the best buy in used bamboo.
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