Saturday, July 16, 2016

Old Glass New Groove

The Profile 800 8' 7wt found its groove



After having the Profile rebuilt, I had been struggling to find the perfect match that would make this rod feel perfect in the hand. It felt way to tip heavy for me, and just didn't seem to throw a nice loop without a little "help". As a result, it would tear up my wrist and shoulder after a days fishing. That all changed last night with a short evening trip to the pond in the 94 degree heat. I had decided to bump my CGR 7/8 up to an 8wt bass line to help with larger bugs. It throws a 7wt line perfectly, but I don't have an 8wt rod otherwise. SO, I picked up a new Orvis Hydros Bass taper and took it out during the week.  I was disappointed to find out that the CGR struggled with the 8wt bass taper, and even more disappointed that I had seemingly wasted money on a line I really didn't have a rod for. Then yesterday, I decided to spool the line on an Orvis/Martin 67SS reel and see just how the Profile handled it?  The result?.....a rod came to life. The 7wt with the heavier Martin fell right into the hand, and threw that 8wt line clear into the running line like it was nothing. It was shooting line straight as an arrow 10-15 feet into the orange running line with a #2 hairbug.  I was pleasantly surprised since it actually feels at first like a very soft 7wt.  



1st fish on the new line, took a #4 FBC.

The Foam Butt Caddis....or the "Big Butt Caddis" as I refer to the mutant warmwater version...stole the day.  The fish were looking up, but not for anything of size. 


They were thick and aggressive though, with at least a slash or slap on most every cast. Which was made even more fun on the glass smooth water. 


Just a perfect night for fishing on top. 


The largest Gill of the evening

While the bass were feeding as well, nothing of size seemed active. But the smallish fish were taking the fly willingly with explosive rises. 




About a dozen of these half-pound clones helped to make the night fun. 

But the night was really made for me most of all, by the Johnson Profile and 8wt line. The rod truly struggled with a 7wt line as marked. And the new line took it from a rod destined for the corner of my den, to a real joy to cast. 

See you on the water!


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