Richard Slocock - Guideline

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A ROD FOR ALL WATERS continuedRon Thompson V8 Fly AFTM 5/6 Price £59.99Vision Attack AFTM 5 Price £84.99A three-piece rod with over-fit joints. Darkgrey blank with black whippings. Linedbutt ring, nine snake intermediate ringsand loop tip ring. Keeper ring. Half wellscork handle. Up-locking double-nutscrew reel fitting. Divided rod bag andfabric-covered tube with handle.MIKE WEAVERExcellent performance and specification at less than £60,making this another ideal choice for the budgetconsciousfly-fisher. More proof that excellent castingcan be produced at a low cost.RICHARD SLOCOCKRemarkably good value. Came into the testers’ handsimmediately after the Sage but stood up to the peerpressure remarkably well. The perfect budget buy, puttingout a competent line every time for both testers. Thethinnest rod tube on test.A three-piece rod with over-fit joints. Darkbrown blank and whippings. Lined buttring, eight snake intermediate rings andloop tip ring. Keeper ring. Half wells corkhandle. Up-locking double-nut screw reelfitting. No rod bag but dividedfabric-covered tube with shoulder strap.MIKE WEAVERAn immediately likeable rod, which performed very wellon short to medium casts, but with a reserve of power atgreater distances. The short slim handle was verycomfortable. Excellent value.RICHARD SLOCOCKA splendid budget choice. Light in the hand and throws agood loop even in high wind. Overall, a nice feel.RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 8 Value for money 9 Overall 8.5RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 8 Value for money 8 Overall 8RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 8 Value for money 8 Overall 8RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 8 Value for money 8 Overall 8Wychwood Truefly AFTM 5/6 Price £59.99Cortland Big Sky AFTM 5 Price £125.95A three-piece rod with over-fit joints andalignment spots. Dark brown blank andwhippings. Lined butt ring, eight snakeintermediate rings and loop tip ring.Keeper ring. Half wells cork handle.Up-locking double-nut screw reel fitting.Divided rod bag and fabric-covered tube.with handle.MIKE WEAVERAnother rod at less than £60 that did everything asked ofit. The casting performance at all distances was smoothand efficient. Very close to the top of its class.RICHARD SLOCOCKA competent budget-priced rod. None could regret buyingthis rod. Competent but not quite best in class.A four-piece rod with over-fit joints andalignment spots. Dark olive-brown blankwith dark brown whippings. Two linedbutt rings, eight snake intermediate ringsand loop tip ring. Keeper ring. Half wellscork handle. Up-locking double-nut screwreel fitting. Fabric-covered tube withpartitions and “bulge” for holding reel.MIKE WEAVERThe test started badly with problems in tightening thereel lock, in spite of trying three popular makes ofreel. Otherwise, competent if average castingperformance, with a somewhat slower action thanmany of the rods tested.RICHARD SLOCOCKReel seat problem: three reel seats did not tighten.Slightly slow action was somewhat demanding, butcompetent enough when timing of action mastered.RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 8 Value for money 8.5 Overall 8.25RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 7 Value for money 8 Overall 7.5RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 6.5 Value for money 5.5 Overall 6RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 6 Value for money 5 Overall 5.5<strong>Guideline</strong> Cool Water Outpack AFTM 5 Price £70Fulling Mill World Class Ti4 AFTM 5 Price £149.95A four-piece rod with over-fit joints. Darkblue-green blank and dark blue whippingswith light blue trim. Two lined butt rings,eight single-leg intermediate rings and looptip ring. No keeper ring. Half wells corkhandle. Up-locking single-nut screw reelfitting. Divided rod bag but no tube.MIKE WEAVERThis rod did everything well and cast efficiently at alldistances. The price makes this a good choice for thebudget-conscious angler, though without the protectivetube of others in its class.RICHARD SLOCOCKAction totally uncomplicated, an easy rod to usefor any standard of fisherman. An excellent rodat a budget price.A four-piece rod with over-fit joints andalignment spots. Grey blank with blackwhippings and red trim. Two lined buttrings, eight snake intermediates and looptip ring. Keeper ring. Half wells corkhandle. Up-locking single-nut screw reelfitting. No bag but divided tube with strap.MIKE WEAVERThis rod cast well enough but there was no sense ofbeing at one with the action. Being at the topend of its price bracket, it faces stiff oppositionat lower prices.RICHARD SLOCOCKThis rod had a thicker blank than many on test. It put theline out well enough but feel, sensitivity and castingpleasure were all a bit lacking. A better performance tobe found for less money.RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 8.5 Value for money 7.5 Overall 8RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 8 Value for money 7 Overall 7.5RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 7 Value for money 7 Overall 7RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 6 Value for money 7 Overall 6.5Shimano Biocraft EV AFTM 5 Price £79.99A three-piece rod with over-fit joints andalignment lettering. Dark blue blank andwhippings. Lined butt ring, eight single-legintermediate rings and loop tip ring.Keeper ring. Straight cork handle withrounded end. Up-locking double-nut screwreel fitting. Divided rod bag and tube.MIKE WEAVEROh dear! The casting performance of this rod was farbehind that of any other rod tested at any price. The floppytip section was very disconcerting and lacking in any realcontrol of the line. The straight handle was not particularlycomfortable.RICHARD SLOCOCKAlas, it would have been better if this blank had neverleft the drawing board. Utterly spineless tip actionallowing no sort of presentation.Very poor indeed.Snowbee Prestige AFTM 5 Price £159A four-piece rod with over-fit joints andalignment spots. Dark brown blank andwhippings. Lined butt ring, nine snakeintermediate rings and loop tip ring.Keeper ring. Half wells cork handle.Up-locking single-nut screw reel fitting.Divided rod bag and metal tube.MIKE WEAVERA well-finished rod that casts highly competently at alldistances, with very good presentation at short to mediumrange. The slim handle offers instant comfort. Excellentvalue for money at the bottom end of its price band,holding its own with far more expensive rods.RODS£150-£300RICHARD SLOCOCKCompetent in every way. A smart rod that lays down aneat line reliably, particularly at short distances. Notquite as powerful as some but not a disadvantage forriver fishers.RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 3 Value for money 4 Overall 3.5RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 2 Value for money 2 Overall 2RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 8.5 Value for money 9 Overall 8.75RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 8 Value for money 8 Overall 886 Trout and Salmon May 2008 May 2008 Trout and Salmon 87
A ROD FOR ALL WATERS continuedPartridge S-series Model 1650.268 AFTM 5 Price £190Scierra HM3 AFTM 5/6 Price £239.99A three-piece rod with over-fit joints andalignment spots. Mid blue blank with darkblue whippings. Two lined butt rings, sevensnake intermediate rings and loop tip ring.Keeper ring. Half wells cork handle.Extension butt. Up-locking double-nutscrew reel fitting. Rod bag; tube with strap.MIKE WEAVERA very competent rod at a reasonable price, though thebright blue blank might not be to all tastes. Casting wassmooth and it delivered the line well at all distances. Theonly rod on test with an extension butt; an unusualfeature on rods of this type.RICHARD SLOCOCKThe bright blue blank is an acquired taste. Action verysimilar to the Marryat. An excellent rod, which meets allthe requirements with style. Three pieces resulted in alonger rod tube than most.A three-piece rod with over-fit joints andalignment spots. Dark brown-green blankwith brown whippings. Two lined buttrings, seven snake intermediate rings andloop tip ring. No keeper ring. Half wellscork handle. Up-locking double-nut screwreel fitting. Rod bag and metal tube.MIKE WEAVERThis rod has a rather stiff uncompromising action,without the sympathy desired for presenting a flydelicately at short to medium range on a stream – but itcertainly casts a long line without effort. The reel insethas a distinctive outline of a trout.RICHARD SLOCOCKThis rod is not for the delicately inclined. Stiff andrather disappointing. Falls well short of mostothers on test.RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 8.5 Value for money 7.5 Overall 8RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 7 Value for money 8 Overall 7.5RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 7 Value for money 7 Overall 7RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 6 Value for money 6 Overall 6Loop Multi AFTM 5 Price £190Redington CPS AFTM 5 Price £249.99A four-piece rod with over-fit joints andalignment spots. Sage-green blank withgreen whippings. Two lined butt rings,seven snake intermediate rings and looptip ring. Keeper ring. Half wells corkhandle. Up-locking double-nut screw reelfitting. Rod bag and tube with handle.MIKE WEAVERA competent casting tool that did not quite set the worldon fire. The slowish through action worked well at shortto medium range but lacked a bit of authority whendealing with wind and distance. Very comfortable slimtapered handle.RICHARD SLOCOCKThis rod has a fuller action than most on test,giving a slower casting feel. Pleasant but notsensational.A four-piece rod with over-fit joints andalignment spots. Dark green blank andwhippings, green and silver trim. Twolined butt rings, eight snake intermediaterings and loop tip ring. Keeper ring. Halfwells cork handle. Up-locking single-nutscrew reel fitting. Rod bag and tube.MIKE WEAVERThe stiffish action lacked immediate appeal, though itcertainly punched the line into the wind. A perfectlycompetent rod but it lacked the sympathetic feel thatmakes a rod stand out.RICHARD SLOCOCKA little on the stiff side and so needs to be worked harderthan most. Results a little unpredictable.Not very exciting.RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 7.5 Value for money 7.5 Overall 7.5RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 7 Value for money 7 Overall 7RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 7 Value for money 7 Overall 7RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 6 Value for money 7 Overall 6.5<strong>Guideline</strong> LPXe AFTM 5 Price £229.99A four-piece rod with over-fit joints andalignment spots. Grey blank with blackwhippings. Two lined butt rings, eightsnake intermediate rings and loop tip ring.Keeper ring. Half wells cork handle withgrey ends. Up-locking single-nut screw reelfitting. Rod bag and tube with strap.MIKE WEAVERThe medium price and excellent casting performancemake this a very attractive package. The smoothsympathetic action provides effortless casting at alldistances, even into a strong wind. Slim, comfortablehandle with wood inset, and overall a well-finished rod.BEST INTESTRICHARD SLOCOCKWow! What a delight – perfect in every way. Slim blankgenerating the ultimate silky smooth, effortless action.One to covet. Did not want to hand this one back!Marryat Tactical AFTM 5 Price £295A four-piece rod with over-fit joints. Darkgreen blank and whippings with gold trim.Lined butt ring, nine single-legintermediate rings and loop tip ring.Keeper ring. Half wells cork handle.Up-locking double-nut screw reel fitting.Divided rod bag and tube.MIKE WEAVERAn instantly likeable rod with a smooth casting action thatdelivered the line efficiently at all distances and copedwell with the wind. The combination of castingperformance, finish and product quality put this rod closeto top place in its price band.RICHARD SLOCOCKA delight with no faults. A sensitive rod, yet handled thestrong wind effortlessly. A pleasure to handle and use.RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 9.5 Value for money 9.5 Overall 9.5RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 10 Value for money 9 Overall 9.5RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 9 Value for money 7.5 Overall 8.25RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 9 Value for money 9 Overall 9Bromanodell World Series AFTM 5/6 Price £237Greys G-Tec AFTM 5 Price £299.99A five-piece rod with over-fit joints. Darkblue blank and whippings with silver trim.Lined butt ring, nine single-leg intermediaterings and loop tip ring. Keeper ring. Halfwells cork handle with darker hardened topend. Up-locking double-nut screw reelfitting. Rod bag and tube with handle.MIKE WEAVERThe only five-piece rod on test, making this anideal choice for the angler who travels by air.A sensitive and sympathetic casting action with plenty ofpower for longer casts. Good value at a medium price.RICHARD SLOCOCKA pleasantly sensitive rod with an excellent action, verysimilar to Airflo. Plenty of power if needed. The fivepieces make it particularly useful for travel, thoughalignment dots would be useful.Three-piece rod with over-fit joints. Greymatt blank with black whippings andsilver and red trim. Two lined butt rings,eight single-leg intermediates and loop tipring. Keeper ring. Half wells cork handlewith thumb pad. Up-locking double-nutscrew reel fitting. Rod bag and tube.MIKE WEAVERA well-finished rod with a lovely silky action that presentsthe line well, especially at the short to medium distancesrequired on rivers. The well-shaped handle has an insetthumb pad and an effective ultra-modern reel fitting.RICHARD SLOCOCKAn excellent rod with delicate presentation guaranteed.Intriguing, space-age reel fitting. Superb with a short line.RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 8 Value for money 8.5 Overall 8.25RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 8 Value for money 8 Overall 8RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 9 Value for money 8 Overall 8.5RATINGS OUT OF 10Performance 9 Value for money 8 Overall 8.588 Trout and Salmon May 2008 May 2008 Trout and Salmon 89
Page 1: Mike Weaver onthe Dorset Frome.THE

Richard Slocock - Guideline

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