A message for lovers of Laphraoig and Bamboo

Alfred W. Miller, known to all as Sparse Grey Hackle, and known for
the fine H.L. Leonard and Garrison split bamboo fly rods he fished,
was not a fan of modern fly rod technology.

"Sparse," one fellow member joked recently at the Angler's Club, "when
are you going to fish fiberglass?"

The old man took a thoughtful swallow of straight Laphroaig, a
special pot-still whiskey so strong it numbs the tongue. "I'll fish
fiberglass," Sparse muttered behind his steel rimmed spectacles, "the
morning after some concertmaster plays a concerto at Carnegie Hall on
a plastic violin!"

from Ernest G. Schwiebert, _Trout_ - 1975

vincent p. norris wrote:
Alfred W. Miller, known to all as Sparse Grey Hackle, and known for
the fine H.L. Leonard and Garrison split bamboo fly rods he fished,
was not a fan of modern fly rod technology.

"Sparse," one fellow member joked recently at the Angler's Club, "when
are you going to fish fiberglass?"

The old man took a thoughtful swallow of straight Laphroaig, a
special pot-still whiskey so strong it numbs the tongue. "I'll fish
fiberglass," Sparse muttered behind his steel rimmed spectacles, "the
morning after some concertmaster plays a concerto at Carnegie Hall on
a plastic violin!"

Most classical violinists these days use synthetic (plastic) strings.
Old fashioned gut strings are out of favor because they go out of tune
frequently, they must be tuned constantly while they stretch, they are
very sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity, and they are more
expensive than most other strings.

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

vincent p. norris wrote:
Alfred W. Miller, known to all as Sparse Grey Hackle, and known for
the fine H.L. Leonard and Garrison split bamboo fly rods he fished,
was not a fan of modern fly rod technology.

"Sparse," one fellow member joked recently at the Angler's Club, "when
are you going to fish fiberglass?"

The old man took a thoughtful swallow of straight Laphroaig, a
special pot-still whiskey so strong it numbs the tongue. "I'll fish
fiberglass," Sparse muttered behind his steel rimmed spectacles, "the
morning after some concertmaster plays a concerto at Carnegie Hall on
a plastic violin!"

from Ernest G. Schwiebert, _Trout_ - 1975

Classic. You gotta love the old curmudgeons who find timeless
beauty in timeless pursuits and timeless tools.

Here's to you, Sparse, and thanks for the message Vincent.

--
Ken Fortenberry

On Wed, 16 Feb 2005 01:22:51 GMT, rw wrote:

vincent p. norris wrote:
Alfred W. Miller, known to all as Sparse Grey Hackle, and known for
the fine H.L. Leonard and Garrison split bamboo fly rods he fished,
was not a fan of modern fly rod technology.

"Sparse," one fellow member joked recently at the Angler's Club, "when
are you going to fish fiberglass?"

The old man took a thoughtful swallow of straight Laphroaig, a
special pot-still whiskey so strong it numbs the tongue. "I'll fish
fiberglass," Sparse muttered behind his steel rimmed spectacles, "the
morning after some concertmaster plays a concerto at Carnegie Hall on
a plastic violin!"

Most classical violinists these days use synthetic (plastic) strings.
Old fashioned gut strings are out of favor because they go out of tune
frequently, they must be tuned constantly while they stretch, they are
very sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity, and they are more
expensive than most other strings.

aww....

some things are best left unsaid, ya know? ;-)

"rw" wrote in message
nk.net...

Most classical violinists these days use synthetic (plastic) strings.
[snip] they are more expensive than most other strings.

While the strings are of plastic, the instrument is made of wood, the sound
of which resonating through the wooden instrument can not be replicated by a
molded plastic.

Just because a fly fisher uses a plastic line on a bamboo rod does not mean
that a plastic fly rod can ever be as good a cane rod made by a skilled
human.

Wayne Knight wrote:
"rw" wrote in message
nk.net...


Most classical violinists these days use synthetic (plastic) strings.
[snip] they are more expensive than most other strings.


While the strings are of plastic, the instrument is made of wood, the sound
of which resonating through the wooden instrument can not be replicated by a
molded plastic.

That's true for the time being, but it won't necessarily be true in the
future. This antiquarian attitude is so pessimistic. When the last
Stradivarius or Guarneri is destroyed or lost, will we never again hear
violin music played as well?

Just because a fly fisher uses a plastic line on a bamboo rod does not mean
that a plastic fly rod can ever be as good a cane rod made by a skilled
human.

Using a bamboo rod is not a rational, utilitarian choice. It's an
aesthetic or nostalgic choice. By any objective measure (price,
performance, weight, durability, etc.), graphite rods are better.

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

On Tue, 15 Feb 2005 21:09:59 -0500, "Wayne Knight"
wrote:


"rw" wrote in message
ink.net...

Most classical violinists these days use synthetic (plastic) strings.
[snip] they are more expensive than most other strings.

While the strings are of plastic, the instrument is made of wood, the sound
of which resonating through the wooden instrument can not be replicated by a
molded plastic.

Just because a fly fisher uses a plastic line on a bamboo rod does not mean
that a plastic fly rod can ever be as good a cane rod made by a skilled
human.

The implication is that there's no craftsmanship in carbon.

Bullhockey.

Designing and fabricating a high performance, high quality carbon rod requires
mad science and fabrication skilz. And a well executed instance is every bit
as aesthetically pleasing as a well built grass rod...

/daytripper (I have lots of cane and carbon. I mightily prefer the carbon.)

"daytripper" wrote in message
...
The implication is that there's no craftsmanship in carbon.

The implication that a graphite rod can never be as good as a cane rod in
its function and grace.

(I have lots of cane and carbon. I mightily prefer the carbon.)

I have lots of cane and carbon, I mightily prefer the cane.

On Tue, 15 Feb 2005 22:20:48 -0500, "Wayne Knight"
wrote:

"daytripper" wrote in message
.. .
The implication is that there's no craftsmanship in carbon.

The implication that a graphite rod can never be as good as a cane rod in
its function and grace.

And that's just wrong...

In Wayne and Steve's semi annual banter about cane vs graphite..........

"rw" wrote in message
nk.net...

That's true for the time being, but it won't necessarily be true in the
future. This antiquarian attitude is so pessimistic. When the last
Stradivarius or Guarneri is destroyed or lost, will we never again hear
violin music played as well?

I think you confuse violin music played as well with the sound of the music.

Just because a fly fisher uses a plastic line on a bamboo rod does not
mean that a plastic fly rod can ever be as good a cane rod made by a
skilled human.

Using a bamboo rod is not a rational, utilitarian choice. It's an
aesthetic or nostalgic choice. By any objective measure (price,
performance, weight, durability, etc.), graphite rods are better.

Coming from a scientist type, that objective measure thingie there is a
joke. By your subjective measure perhaps. Graphite rods have it over cane in
cost, the weight difference for most is a non event. What you fail to grasp
is the performance of a well made cane rod is always better than graphite
and the durability of cane, is often better than graphite,

Are they making working hearts out of plastic yet?