Does anyone have a website or link where I can go and learn about classic grips ie EC Powell or Jim Payne?
Thanks
Cris
Thanks
Cris
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Classic Grips
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 Flybox |
Classic Grips |
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Posts: 91 04/10/2009 13:39 |
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Blue Quill |
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Posts: 92 04/11/2009 21:28 |
Hi Flybox,
I'm among those who believe grip design is an integral part of rod performance. This is a great topic. There is not much information on specific makers, but for general grip history you could check Schweibert's "Trout", Ritz's "A Fly Fisher's Life", and McClane's "Fisherman's Encyclopedia" to start. I believe both the Powell and Phillipson publications on rod design also touch on grips, as does Gierach's "Fishing Bamboo" and Ed Engle's book. I am a maker in the northeast, and many customers expect classic Payne / Leonard / Hudson Valley grips (cigar, super-fine, etc) with their rod. But in the past few years I find that most of my customers are looking for grips that are comfortable to use. Not too long ago I switched to smaller-diameter half-Wells grips, not unlike Brandin, Hidy, and others, usually 6", as my standard grip and it has been the most popular overall. After purchasing a rod with one, several customers said they would change all their grips to the smaller half-Wells if it were possible. When I fish it's generally a sun-up to well after sun-down thing whenever possible. Let me tell you, after fishing most of my life with cigar grips these modified half-Wells grips are like putting on a pair of fleece-lined moccasins after being in tight new Oxfords all day. What a relief on your wrist and forearm muscles. In defense of cigar grips; in my opinion they may have a slight edge when fishing really close and when you are trying to make pin-point casts, and if you only fish a few hours at a time the ergonomics may not be an issue fatigue-wise. They also look very traditional and are very beautiful, particularly with a swelled butt. However I have come to prefer the smaller modified-half-Wells grips aesthetically as well, and have learned to compensate in casting when using them for close-in fishing. Good luck with your search, and great topic. Chuck |
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 jayhake |
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Posts: 197 04/12/2009 00:21 |
I agree, great topic. I think the combination of good esthetics with a comfortable feel is a tricky area with grips. I have come to prefer the half wells for
fishing as well, although I do prefer the look of the classic cigar on certain rods.
Chuck, would you mind posting a shot of your current half wells style? Cheers, Jay |
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moregrayling |
grip shapes | #3 | ||
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Posts: 448 04/12/2009 01:16 |
hi all,
I've had rods with all sorts of grip shapes, but lately this one is my favourite. I'd call it a torpedo. I know I'll receive a beating for this, but I have to say the full wells grip on brandin's and reams' rods are just plain ugly. sorry. doesn't matter for me that everybody want's his rods or how expensive they are. best from "krautland", christian 
them 'at knows nowt, fears nowt
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Blue Quill |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 97 04/12/2009 01:59 |
Hi Moregrayling,
We have a saying about tying flys: "Some are for showin', and some are for throwin'." In many ways it's the same with fly rod grips. As I said, I agree that that a cigar grip, particularly with a swelled butt, is very beautiful and traditional, and if you are only fishing a few hours at a time it is normally comfortable enough. However, for all-day fishing, and in general in my opinion, a smaller half-Wells grip is more comfortable and easier on the hand, wrist, and forearm muscles. And as far as Brandin's or anyone elses rods with half-Wells grips are concerned, rod price has nothing to do with the aforementioned statement. Nice rod in the photo. Chuck Is Krautland anywhere near Steubenville? |
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moregrayling |
krautland & grip shapes | #5 | ||
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Posts: 449 04/12/2009 03:56 |
Blue Quill wrote: well, "krautland" is over the pond, as they say. where the "krauts" live, so to speak. regarding grip shapes: I beg to differ. I actualy like the torpedo-shaped grip for fishing all day long. my problem with whatever wells-variety is the index finger style, which I utilize sometimes; it's just impossible with a wells-shaped grip. whereas I can hold a cigar or torpedo grip with thumb-up or index finger-up style. as I said, I expected a beating for not raving about per brandins favourite grip shape. but then, I am not tournament caster, and that's where these grip shapes come from, if I am not grossly missinformed?! with the very best regards from "krautland", christian p.s.: I had that rod's grip changed from half wells to torpedo, because the wells a) looked crap, b) felt uncomfortable and c) I couldn't put my index finger on top. different strokes for different folks, as they say...
them 'at knows nowt, fears nowt
Last Edited By: moregrayling 04/12/2009 14:35.
Edited 2 times.
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ibookje |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 1559 04/12/2009 05:19 |
Your modified Summers looks a bit like the grip Homer Jennings makes.
I once started casting with my index finger on top. I changed to thumb grip because I don't want to use different grip when I change from a light rod to a heavy (#6 and up) rods. |
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ibookje |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 1560 04/12/2009 06:12 |
The 'big' full wells look right on heavy rods, but I kinda like the small and mini wells like on the Kagerow, Brandin, Carlin and even Walt Carpenter.
Just my $0.025 |
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Hap |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 65 04/12/2009 07:08 |
Try this ,close your hand loosely as if you were holding the grip of a fly rod. Look at your hand, the largest opening is where your thumb and index finger
come together, and the smallest is where your little finger meets the palm of your hand. The half wells grip follows the natural closing of your hand.
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moregrayling |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 450 04/12/2009 07:19 |
Hap wrote: sure. but after that, try stretching out your index finger as if you'd point out something. if you cast like this, you are pointing your rod-tip as you are pointing with your index finger. also, it's a lot easier to brake youre wrist with the thumb on top of the grip as opposed to index finger on top. as I said, different strokes for different folks... best from "krautland", christian
them 'at knows nowt, fears nowt
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canerodscom |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 2070 04/12/2009 09:00 Bamboo preacher |
Like some others, I am a fan of smaller grips. Not for aesthetic reasons, but for performance reasons. Compare the grip on your favorite fly rod with the grip
on a golf club. Which is larger, and where? Surely swinging a golf club involves more energy than casting a fly.
Look up an article form 6-8 years ago, by Dave Engerbretson, in one of the major flyflishing magazines. He makes a compelling case for smaller grips. The most athletic grip for a fly rod is espoused by Gary and Jason Borger and known as a three-point grip. It can't be done well with a grip swelled at the front. Harry |
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hexhatch |
South Bend | #11 | ||
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Posts: 84 04/16/2009 00:12 |
The Comficient grips on South Bend rods are really good in my opinion. I especially like the ones where thin grooves are cut into the cork.
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Ben Kann |
#12 | |||
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Posts: 189 04/16/2009 08:21 |
moregrayling wrote:What he said!! I've been turning my grips in that modified torpedo shape also, and for the same reasons. The only difference is that I'm tapering a little more steeply down toward the reel seat (suits me). |
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WatercolorMan |
Grips I like | #13 | ||
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Posts: 1384 04/21/2009 03:09 |
These are the ones I like to use the most. The standard coke bottle if its small enough its ok but I have modified a few to a diameter that works better for
me.
Here is a grip that is new for me and I really like. I guess I have an average size hand and like a smaller diameter grip. 
AJ made a really nice grip for this FE Thomas Fairy. Perfect for a small rod, 5" and the heal of my hand sits over the reel on the reel seat. 
Mike brooks made a few for me I can use all day long. 
from top to bottom Salmon and Steelhead rod 8'-6" 6 1/2" Modified Wells grip Payne parabolic 7'-9" 6" grip Modified cigar straight taper Payne 8' #201 6" grip cigar full taper Payne 7'6" #100 6" grip cigar full taper Leonard 3734 ACM 7' rod 5 1/2" grip cigar full taper Alan |
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