Grey Fox
With all the hoopla that accompanies fly rods and their developement, a new breed of rods has seemed to virtually slipped thru the cracks. These are those that can be best be termed Salt Water/ Lifters. These rods are specialized tools. They gain their lifting ability from their construction: Helioply. In layman's terms this means the fibers are placed 90 degrees to each other. This placement allows for much greater hoop strength, the ability of the blank to retain it's round shape while being bent.Why the term salt water/ lifters, is because this is where the primary use for them is and if this is the purpose there doesn't seem to be anything closed to them.
As far as the FFN research staff can ascertain there are 4 companies East Branch, Scott , Winston and FFN that are really into this design. The basic difference in these Salt Water/ Lifters is the Heli-Ply process.
Scott describes it as "which combines layers of helically oriented graphite with our unidirectional high modulus material. They feature a strong-butted fast action, enhanced lifing power and the durability needed by rods that take a beating in the salt."
Winston Helical Ply Reinforcement "We have designed all our Saltwater XDLT rods using a helical ply reinforcement which is important in providing the extra lifting strength needded for fighting larger and stronger fish. When a rod bends, the blank shape changes dramatically creating strain vertically, horizontally and diagonally. The helical ply strengthes the rod by reinforcing the graphite weave at different angles. This greatly increases the 'hoop' or 'bursting' strength of the rod." Winston's designation as salt water rods is a mis-nomer, as they certainly not at home on the flats, with Winston's LT models, outfitted with salt water fittings, much more suited.
Though both the Scott and Winston declared these models as Saltwater, all major blank manufactuers have salt water models, but the difference is helical ply reinforcement. The ability to retain it's round shape, or hoop strength appears critical in it's lifting power. If you fish any species from a boat, where it's standard operating proceedure for the fish to go under it as soon as they see it, these saltwater/lifters are for you.
Both East Branch and FFN list their heli-ply models as Salt Water-Lifting, and specify other models as flats.
Interestingly, helical ply came about 15-20 years ago, and was virtually abandoned about 5 years ago. Perhaps those designing with it were trying to use it in either the whole blank or too much of it. Even more interesting, at that time, both Scott and Winston did not have the facilities to produce their own blanks, but were at the mercy of other blank producers.
Field reports have been more than complimentory. Scott came out with theirs 2 years ago and Winston, about Aug. '95. Most of FFN's testers say they should be Five Flies, and they would be except for the price factor, or value versus price. These Saltwater/Lifter models are expensive, starting at over $500. Almost all are going to be rated Four & 1/2 Flies. East Branch announced their lifting models in the fall of '96 and FFN, early '97, so there hasn't been time to get product review ratings. East Branch at about 300. and FFN at 250., are about half of Winston and Scotts. And both use Struble and PacBay fittings, which are about the best and Scott uses also.
Even many of the captains and guides, who should know and have a crying need for these characters in a fly rod, don't know they exist. These rods are specialized. They average an ounce to 1.75 ounces heavier than corresponding Salmon Steelhead models. The butts appear about a 1/3 thicker. Winston, who in the past, was totally against oversized guides, has changed their tune and their finished rods, along with Scotts, both carry alot of big oversized guides.
All companies rods have excellent casting tapers. Whatever your style, fast or slow, these SW/lifters are basically fast but will work for you, if you can cast.
Scott's SW/lifters:
| RodModel | Length | Weight | pieces | Line |
| G887/3HP | 8'8" | 4.2 oz. | 3 | #7 |
| G888/3HP | 8'8" | 4.3 oz. | 3 | #8 |
| G909/3HP | 9'0" | 4.8 oz | 3 | #9 |
| G9010/3HP | 9'0" | 5.2 0z. | 3 | #10 |
| G9011/3HP | 9'0" | 5.6 0z. | 3 | #11 |
| G9012/3HP | 9'0" | 6.0 oz. | 3 | #12/13 |
| G8814/3HP | 8'8" | 6.8 oz. | 3 | #14 |
| Line | Length(feet) | Weight | Action | Fishing Distance |
| 6-weight | 9' | 3 1/2 | Fast | up to 85 |
| 7-weight | 9' | 3 5/8 | Fast | up to 90 |
| 8-weight | 9' | 5 | Fast | up to 100 |
| 9-weight | 9' | 5 1/8 | Fast | up to 100 |
| 10-weight | 9' | 5 5/8 | Fast | up to 100 |
| 11-weight | 9' | 6 | Fast | up to 100 |
| 12-weight | 9' | 6 5/8 | Fast | up to 100 |
East Branch
| Line Wt. | Length | Pieces | Weight | Action |
| 8-weight | 9' | 3-piece | 4.5 | Fast |
| 9-weight | 9' | 3-piece | 51/8 | Fast |
| 10-weight | 9' | 3-piece | 5 1/2 | Fast |
| 11-weight | 9' | 3-piece | 6 3/8 | Fast |
| 12-weight | 9' | 3-piece | 6 1/2 | Fast |
FFN-All models 3 piece:
Model |
Length |
Line Wt. |
Weight |
Action |
Blank |
Kit |
Rod |
8903S |
9' |
8 |
4.75 |
med-fast |
100. |
180. |
250. |
9903S |
9' |
9 |
5.25 |
med-fast |
100. |
180. |
250. |
10903S |
9' |
10 |
5.60 |
fast |
100. |
180. |
250. |
12903S |
9' |
11 |
6.60 |
fast |
100. |
180. |
250. |
As you can see all these models are 3 piece, and make great travel rods. Make no mistake about it, they won't cast as easily as non helio-ply models, but they will help lift big fish that have sounded under the boat. Some of our testers would like to see some of them in 9'6", 3 piece, which would be about the limit for boat use. The Scott 8'8" rods actually felt that size, and our testers all feel the extra 4" would be an advantage, and could not see what gain is gotten at this odd size.
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