Thursday, June 2, 2016

Butter Side Up - Perpetual Motion

I spent a few hours last weekend fishing with my 7'6" Redington Butter Stick on a small creek in the Minnesota driftless area.  My goal was to formulate and solidify some thoughts about using this little 4-weight throwback from modern fast-action graphite.  My first actual use of this rod was two weekends before that, when I took my daughter with me on a short morning hike.  I had her set up with my 7' 3-weight St. Croix Imperial that I purchased exactly for these streams.  While demonstrating some "technique" for my daughter, I was mentally struck by how lively the Butter Stick felt in comparison to the Imperial.  I was impressed with the feel, and with how I was still able to lay some casts into a mild breeze later on in the day.

Over the next two weekends, the Butter Stick became something of an enigma for me.  On occasion, I would lay out the most beautiful (for me) dry fly cast at 30' to 40' distances.   Others, I couldn't get line to shoot, or forward casts just piled up instead of rolling out.  I also determined that I wouldn't be using this for any kind of nymph fishing other than single-nymph.  But you really can't complain when it allows you to pull 3 brown trout out of a crystal clear hole in 15 minutes with a size 18 dry fly.

Source: desktopnexus.com
I'm certain I will spend more time with the rod I now call Mellow Yellow.  But I am reminded of an old joke:  Cats always land on their feet, but toast always land butter-side down.  So, what happen when you tie a butter-side up piece of toast to the back of a cat and drop it out a window?  It spins about a foot off the ground.

I feel a little like that cat right now... dizzy and confused.

Anyone reading this should grab their salt shaker and remember a couple of facts:
  A) I am not an accomplished fly caster
  2) I am brand new to fiberglass.  Just experimenting.

This is just a story.  A very sad little story.  Or maybe a cry for help.  Do not hold this rod responsible for my inadequacies or arrogance.  Renowned dry fly casting expert Eddie Rivard liked the Butter Stick when he tried it.  I will come back to this and try again.  I probably need to concentrate more on the cast than on the fish.

Besides, I have a new fiberglass toy to play with this weekend.
Posted by at
Labels: , ,

10 comments:

  1. RalphsFlyBoxJune 2, 2016 at 10:00 PM

    Careful now....that casting stroke is addicting. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fading AnglerJune 3, 2016 at 10:04 AM

      Perhaps, but not when you feel like a dizzy cat. I'll blame my "bad arm" for a while, too. My two easy-access deep holes near the campground almost require right-handed casting.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJune 2, 2016 at 10:42 PM

    I am kind of the same boat as you, I have picked up a few inexpensive glass rod to compare with my usual Graphite Rods. There is quite the learning curve when it comes too casting glass vs. graphite. We shall learn together and share our experiences. Awaiting your next experience.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fading AnglerJune 3, 2016 at 10:05 AM

      Inexpensive might be a stretch for the Butter Stick. It certainly wasn't "expensive" compared to the offering from Scott. I nearly had a seizure when I picked one up at a local shop and glanced at the price!

      Delete
  3. Feather ChuckerJune 3, 2016 at 9:06 AM

    I could never get into fiberglass. I've been using fast action broomsticks for so long I couldn't get used to the slow action. I had an old Fenwick someone let me borrow that I tried to like. I also tried to like the Cabela's Glass Series. I was able to cast ok with them but I found waiting for the line to load the rod on my back cast was excruciating. I just don't have the patience for that. I'm to much like the movie "Tin Cup." Grip it and rip it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fading AnglerJune 3, 2016 at 10:09 AM

      The reason I started down this road was to explore something "more moderate" than the fast-action Sage rods we primarily use around my household. It's possible that the Butter Stick might be a bit too far beyond moderate for my efforts. It's still darned fun to toss little dry flies with!

      Delete
  4. cofisherJune 3, 2016 at 6:39 PM

    I can tell by the way you are tap dancing around that you love it. As soon as you get used to it, (and you will) You'll wonder what the big whoop is over graphite. I'm I love the Imperial. Then again, if you want to get rid of the Butterstick, let me know. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fading AnglerJune 4, 2016 at 8:37 AM

      I want to love it, but I'm not there yet. I need the opportunity to try it alongside something else for reference. I've read good things about the Echo Glass. And I'd be lying if I said that the 5-piece Swift Epic 476 wasn't on my mind, but you can buy 2 (maybe 3!) Echo Glass rods for the price of a single Epic.

      Ah, the calculus of fly angling. Such a good problem to have...

      Delete
  5. Bill TrussellJune 5, 2016 at 9:33 AM

    Chris
    Can't beat the Redington brand, I own four of their fly rods and wouldn't fish anything else. The Butter Stick is a super nice fly rod. Congrats on the purchase thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fading AnglerJune 6, 2016 at 8:47 AM

      Bill, I have no significant complaints about the rod. I will say, however, that I had high expectations coming in when I purchased this rod last year. Redington and Sage, aling with Rio are all owned by the parent entity, Far Bank Enterprises. While I'm sure there are examples to be had, I've yet to see a manufacturing flaw in a Sage rod, visual or otherwise. The Butter Stick has some sloppy wraps and misaligned "alignment" dots. It's nothing that affects the operation of the rod, but I understand why an entry-level Sage sets you back $50-$100 more.

      Delete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)