I'm tossing around the idea of shortening a spey rod by 8-10 inches. It's currently a 9 weight - 13'2" rod. Am I correct in thinking that if I take 8-10 inches off the butt section the rod would be more towards an 8 weight. Would the performance of the rod be affected if I was to do this. Is there any reason that I should not consider modifying the rod. Thanks for any input that is provided.

Just curious why not just build another rod the size you want. There will be others chime in, but you will be changing a lot of the characteristic of the rod you have now. My personal opinion I would just build another rod.

If you run a Common Cents Measurement on it, at any length, you'll know exactly what you'll have even before you trim it.

Shortening from the butt will reduce the power a bit. It will also create a slower action. If you plan to trim and then test, then I'd take a couple inches and try it. Then a couple more, etc.

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You will definately change the way the rod feels and handles certain lines- but it seems that that is O.K. with you. I just built on a 10' 6" singlehanded spey blank that is going to be used as a switch rod. I experimented with it by temp. attaching guides in a secure fashion and casted while moving hands in various positions up and down blank. I untimately decided to add 6" to the butt so I could access the more powerful butt section. I am buying another identical blank and building it as a 10' 6" switch rod. I think it will handle the same line but I think, by experimenting with the rod I now have, that my loops will be tighter and I will be able to generate more line speed.
If I were you I would attach guides and cast gripping the blank in various psns. to determine the length you like the best.
BTW - the reel sits on the ground while you cast so the balance may be off. After you think you are O.K. with the hand psn just tape the reel where you will put the seat and try it again.
Herb



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/12/2008 07:56AM by Herb Ladenheim.

Gary,

Depending on the taper <> Removing 8 to 10 inches from the butt end of a two handed fly rod could dramatically alter the targeted flex and power intended for this rod.

Most two handed fly rods can have rather complex tapers: They are often meant to be use specific, with tapers designed for efficient delivery of various families of two handed line systems.

Removing that much material from the butt section of the a 13'0' rod could totally alter it's original power and flex, and to do so blindly may not lead to a happy ending for you.

Many two handed fly rod blank tapers actually increase flex, and decrease power (beyond true progressive) in the bottom 1/4 of the blank to allow eficient power transfer into the cork when under full line load.

Removing the mentioned amount of material from the bottom section of the blank can actually increase the targeted grain carrying capability of the blank by 100+ grains: Turning a 13'0" rod with a grain window of 550 to 800 grains into 12'0" rod with a grain window of 650 to 950 grains.

This being the exact opposite of your intent.

The most effective means by which to accurately determine the present flex and power throughout the entire length of your blank would be to do as Tom suggests: Use the common cents system, or a similar approach to map the blank and determine a benchmark.

How you will then wish (or actually be allowed) to further alter that benchmark to meet a trageted goal can then be done so with a degree of calculated accuracy by logging mapped performance.

This is how blank tapers are designed.

Modifying blanks tapers to reach a targeted goal is fun, and a very good hands-on means by which to educate yourself and increase the understanding of why blanks do what they do under line load.

... But this is most efficiently and safely accomplished within a controlled format, and utilizing a system like "common cents" will allow this control.

Other wise you may be simply making a wild guess, hoping for the best ... And may sacrifice the blank in doing so.

Just my thoughts here.

Bob Meiser



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/12/2008 01:02PM by Bob Meiser.

Thanks for all the input provided. It looks like I have quite a bit of research and testing to do before I start trimming. Thanks again.