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Perfectionist tapers

Author	Comment
cwood	Perfectionist tapers		Lead	[-]
Posts: 565 05/08/2009 12:36	Tags : None Hey Guys- I'm not sure this is the best place for this question, but I'll give it a shot. I recently received a wonderful rod that was built using Martha Young's Perfectionist taper miked from Banjo's personal rod. It really is one of the nicest casting 4/5 wt. rods I have owned/fished. I have only cast one other perfectionist type taper, a Summers rod, and that was some time ago so my memory doesn't help for a comparison. I know there are tons of tapers out there for the perfectionist, but for those that know the taper that I own (I know a couple folks are making it) I was wondering what the differences are that make it such a great rod. Or maybe there really isn't any difference and most Perfectionist tapers are special? I've owned a P-15 and enjoyed it, a Driggs take off and really liked it, and a Princess taper that I never cared for, but never the Perfectionist. All my experiences with Young style tapers is that I love casting them in the yard but once I hit the stream I didn't like them as much. I guess I'm a sucker for east coast (and Heddon) tapers. However, my tone has changed with this rod as it fishes awesome and is just so easy and fun to cast. This rod seems much different to me than the other Young style rods I have fished..... less parabolic and more progressive than the others, but not in the east coast progressive way that I am used to (if that makes sence). Anyway, thanks for any help or comments you can add and tight lines. CWood
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JimmyB11		#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 89 05/08/2009 15:26	This rod is often referred to as the best 7 1/2 ft bamboo rod, for me it is a 4 wt and short casts load fine.
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SecondHandWolf	Perfectionist	#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 127 05/08/2009 15:59	Cwood, I have owned a Summers#275, his take on the Perfectionist. I can't compare his taper specs to your rod. However, what I think makes the Perfectionist generally different than other progressive 7'6" 4wt tapers is the fact there is a bit of a lever in the middle section, if you look at the stress curve. Also the butt is a bit softer than a true progressive would be, which allows you to feel the entire rod on casts, more than you would on a true progressive taper. Finally, the Perfectionist does have a number of compounds, which make it different from a true progressive. Others may disagree. I would trust the opinion of John Pickard, Jim Beasely, Chris Carlin, among others about this. Enjoy the rod and never ever sell it. I sold my Summers #275 and have regretted it for the last 15 years. Secondhandwolf
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Lee Koch		#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 475 05/08/2009 17:50	I agree with you CWood, this particular version of the Perfectionist is especially nice. I'm no taper specialist, and I don't deal with stress curves, but I have plotted this taper against 5 or 6 other versions. In my view, there are 2 peculiarities with this taper. First, the bamboo drops roughly 1/64th across the ferrule. That's rare for a Young rod as far as I know. Certainly, all the other versions I have seen are flat across the ferrule, that's to say that the bamboo is essentially the same dimension on both sides of the ferrule. Second, this taper version has a peculiar flat section just below the ferrule - for 10 inches there is essentially no change in dimension below the female ferrule. Again, none of the other versions exhibit this trait. Elsewhere along the taper graph, this version always falls somewhere between the data points for the other versions, some being thicker than this taper (at some points) and some being below (at some points). I can't tell you why or even IF these 2 things contribute to the especially nice feel in this rod, but I am guessing that they do, particularly the drop across the ferrule, which in my uneducated view, makes a rod feel a little lighter, quicker and more "resilient." (BTW, if you haven't noticed yet, this taper seems an exceptional roll-caster...) I've made 2 rods based on this taper version, with the only modification being that I swelled the butt 50 or 60 thou. That stops the action above the grip, and gives the rod the feel that it has a little more power in reserve if you want/need it. That swell of course does not exist in Banjo's original. Hope this helps, Lee
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cwood		#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 566 05/08/2009 19:13	Thanks guys. Lee, that was exactly what I was looking for. You are right, it is a very nice roll caster. It just has a special feel to it that makes you want to keep casting it. " Resilient" is a good way to put it. I wonder if the drop in taper across the ferrules adds to the more progressive feeling? I don't really feel a strong hinge in the rod like I would have expected after seeing graphs of other perfectionist tapers. It does have that little extra kick once you get a decent amount of line out, but I can't put my finger on where on the rod that comes from. Maybe the 10 inch flat spot below the ferrule? My old Driggs copy you could feel exactly where the para kick comes from, this Perfectionist taper is much more subtle and seems to blend in better if that makes sense. I am by no means a taper guy so I may not be articulating any of this very well, but I know a good taper when I get my hands on one (for my casting style) and this rod is very nice. Thanks a lot and keep the comments coming if you have any. Take care. CWood
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bluejayee		#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 755 05/09/2009 17:24	Hi Guys, Is this particular taper posted anywhere? Jay Edwards
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