Hey Guys,
I just got back from the Midwest Fly Fishing Expo in Michigan this weekend. The highlight of the show as usual was talking with Mike MC and casting his rods.
I have cast most of Mike's rods before so I will only report on the new ones. Mike showed me 2 rods built on new tapers that he calls semi-parabolic. He had a 3wt and a 5wt. Mike rigged up the rods with Hardy Lightweight reels and Wulff longbelly lines. These longbelly lines seem to be a good match.
I put the rods through their paces starting from very close to extending out to my maximum distance. At each new distance the rod seemed to flex more into the butt and I never felt like they would run out of power. I was able to get the 3 out to about 60ft and the 5 out to about 75. A better caster could probably do 70 and 90 respectively.
The rods seemed to remind me of the Berkley Parametric tapers but keep in mind I am no expert on rod tapers.
I much preferred the 5wt myself because it seemed like it would be a much more versatile rod, however I primarily chase smallies and have little use for a 3 most of the time.
You small stream trout guys I'm sure would take joy in the 3
I also cast all of the Hardy rods at this show but I'll save that report for later. In short though, Mike's rods performed better and sport better appointments.
I just got back from the Midwest Fly Fishing Expo in Michigan this weekend. The highlight of the show as usual was talking with Mike MC and casting his rods.
I have cast most of Mike's rods before so I will only report on the new ones. Mike showed me 2 rods built on new tapers that he calls semi-parabolic. He had a 3wt and a 5wt. Mike rigged up the rods with Hardy Lightweight reels and Wulff longbelly lines. These longbelly lines seem to be a good match.
I put the rods through their paces starting from very close to extending out to my maximum distance. At each new distance the rod seemed to flex more into the butt and I never felt like they would run out of power. I was able to get the 3 out to about 60ft and the 5 out to about 75. A better caster could probably do 70 and 90 respectively.
The rods seemed to remind me of the Berkley Parametric tapers but keep in mind I am no expert on rod tapers.
I much preferred the 5wt myself because it seemed like it would be a much more versatile rod, however I primarily chase smallies and have little use for a 3 most of the time.
You small stream trout guys I'm sure would take joy in the 3
I also cast all of the Hardy rods at this show but I'll save that report for later. In short though, Mike's rods performed better and sport better appointments.
