The July/August issue of American Angler has a lengthy article on fly rod actions. It is an interesting article to read and makes me glad that we as custom rod builders have a tool-the CCS-at our disposal. At the end of the article the author says in so many words to forget all of the hoopla about a rod that you have read about or that your best friend recommends but to go to a fly shop and try several with an open mind. The problem stemming from the fact that the manufacturers cannot agree in defining action throughout the industry. But of course we already knew that and can use the CCS to measure two blanks in relation to each other.

I think the designers do agree on the definition of action - it's where the rod initially flexes. I've known a great many blank designers over the years and they all concur on this definition. Obviously, as you point out, the CCS AA figure gives us much greater resolution in this regard than we've ever had before.

What isn't agreed on, is the marketing terms used by the advertisers. We know what fast, medium and slow refer to (not much resolution, but it gives a ballpark measurement), what we don't know is what a "modulated reformed action" is, or an "advanced modulus dicatated action" is. Or the always popular "smooth action." Nobody can really tell you what this is. And it's doubtful that the manufacturers can, either.

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I agree Tom, I think those terms are more in the eye of the beholder .

The rod one chooses has to feel right in the users hand, not just because the manufactures spends big bucks on advertising every year and tells you that their rod is the best. A number of years back, I was swallowed up in the advertising web. I just had to have a Sage. Now I have two, and they never leave my locker. They just don't feel right compared to some of my other rods.

cheers
Harold