Magic Wands - Fish&Fly prize winner gives thoughts on his new G-Tec!
publication date: Jul 15, 2008
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author/source: Steven Murgatroyd
by Steven Murgatroyd
When I picked up the Greys G-Tec from the Spring Fly Fishing Show earlier this year, Paul Sharman asked me to let him know how the rod performed. I’ve now had the opportunity to try the rod out, although so far only once. These, therefore, are my initial thoughts and impressions.
The first thing I noticed as I removed the rod from the tube and bag was the matt finish. Hardy & Greys are to be congratulated on this move away from the normal high gloss finish that most manufacturers still insist on producing despite the fish-scaring flashes of reflected light this produces on a sunny day.
When you come to assemble the rod, alignment of the rings is made very easy by the provision of clear yet discreet markers on the ends of each section. My model – a three piece, nine foot six, seven weight – feels comfortable in the hand due in no small part to the exceptional quality of the cork grip, below which is the striking, yet functional skeletal style reel fitting. Whilst it is a little radical in design for my tastes it does the job efficiently and is certainly a talking point.
Now I’m not the best caster in the world, on a good day you might call me average, but the rod certainly flattered my technique and seemed to lift and aerialise a good length of line when a swift change in direction was required.
I tried the rod out at a beautiful, small, tree lined lake lying in a hidden valley deep in the North Yorkshire dales. The biggest problem, after that of my own limitations, was the unpredictability of the strong gusting wind, however the rod did its best to flatter my efforts which is, I suppose the sign of a good fly rod, and all you can really ask. And it did help me land a couple of nice fish.
The true magic of any fly rod however, is not in its action or finish – although these things do matter – the magic – the real magic is in the places it takes you to and the experiences you have there. Some rods just make those experiences more enjoyable. The G-Tec is one of those rods.
Ed - I think Steven is after a job as a writer! Very nicely put together - thanks Steve!
Thanks again also to the generous folks at Hardy & Greys who do so much to encourage participation in the sport of fly fishing.
If you would like to read Steven's winning entry again titles "Milk, Trout & Karma" please click on the link or see it below under related articles.
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