Harry Boyd Creation

[3XTIPT]

Thought you might like to see the attached. I had a rod made by the Reverend Harry Boyd down in Alabama - ordered it about 18 months or so ago and just finished. I picked a thread color (blue) a bit out of the ordinary, but it seems to have been a good move. I look forward to loading this baby up in the next few months or so..

here is link

http://p205.ezboard.com/fclarksclassicflyrodforumfrm18.showMessage?topicID =237.topic

[Todd K]

That is a sweet rod. Trying not to drool.

[Catch 22]

Very Nice! I've heard only good things about Harry Boyd's work. I've seen pictures, but I've had never one of his rods in hand. What are you going to put on it for a reel?

Another member here, Pvansch, has said he is going to try to organize a get together of bamboo fanatics on the Farmington in a few months. Hope you can make it, and bring that rod with you.

Jeff

[The Fisherman]

I almost had Andy Manchester re-do my Tonka queen with blue thread.

But I chickened out. :wink:

Gorgeous rods.

[pvansch1]

Nice rod!!
I had Harry's Pine Bark gripped 7' 4wt for last years' SuperBoo III
He makes a very nice rod, the craftsmanship and finish are top notch - You will be pleased.
Pete

[pvansch1]

Received an Email from Rev Boyd, he asked me to says thanks for the kind words!
Quote from Harry!!

"Harry looked at this thread and
appreciates all the kind words. And he's in Louisiana, not Alabama....
web-footed cajun 100%!"
Harry in my book is one of the nicest makers out there!
Pete

[3XTIPT]

Harry was somewhat reluctant to go with the blue at first, but I wanted something different and he was more than willing to please. He emailed me earlier today that he brought the rod to a show today and had someone want to buy it on the spot. Fortunately he asked me first !

Don't know what I am going to do with the reel choice. I am actually somewhat apprehensive about even taking the thing fishing ! Thought I may go for a vintage type reel but will probably go Cabela LSR or Orvis Battenkill - have enjoyed using both of these. Line is going to be Wulff triangular taper - the only one I buy (now !).

Any suggestions on fishing bamboo vs graphite? I have an Adams bamboo rod, and have used it a few times - they seem much "whippier" than the rods I normally use (temple forks/orvis/cortland - nothing really high end...)

[Catch 22]

Bamboo tends to have a little more "relaxed" action compared to graphite. It's kind of tough to say without knowing the taper you have, but you will probably need to slow down your casting stroke a bit. Let the rod do the work. A good bamboo rod will practically cast itself.
Enjoy.

Jeff

[3XTIPT]

A good lesson to apply in all fly rod casting undertakings, and one I have failed to remember on a few occasions. Particularly when using my 10 wt and trying to throw flies at breaking stripers/blues albies etc while in a boat on the sound !!

[pvansch1]

Harry's rods are not whippy.
Yes bamboo tends to have a slower action than graphite.
The casting difference is hard to explain, I'll give it a try.
With graphite, you do the work to force the rod to flex to generate line speed.
With bamboo, the casting stroke produces the flex without being forced and then the bamboo does the work to cast the line like a spring.
Once you have figured out the stroke, casting is very similar.
I was at the LL Bean this past weekend and Tim Raejeff was on site giving casting critique and pointers, he handed me an LL Bean graphite 6wt and I took a bit for me to get the casting down, but I did and was able to cast a good distance. His critique of my casting was I was too slow, I explained I fish bamboo, he asked if I had a rod with me which I did so I got my 8' 7wt I have been working with. Within a few minutes of his critiques and corrections I was casting into the backing.
Pete