He needed an outlet, we gave it to him. He'll explain more on it later, but we'd like to reiterate, Mike get's to say what he wants here and it is in no way related to the professional standpoint of Flood Tide Co. as a business. So, contrary to what he says below, take it up with Mike. He loves a good debate!
New for the Blog on 2019: Mad Mike's Corner!
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Hi, I’m Mike. In this corner of the blog, I will utilize this as a platform of mass distribution to spread the hate in my heart for a variety of subjects. For those of you who know me, none of the things I rant about will be a surprise. For those of you who don’t know me, just know that I routinely, in person, on the podcast, and pretty much anywhere else that I feel like I have anyone's attention whatsoever, will go into long diatribes about the things in this world that piss me off. Or at the very least irritate me. I don’t hold back much, nor do I care what people think or feel about said subject. I just let it fly, and call it how I see it. So I guess before Paul and the boys start getting a bunch of emails in reply to any of these pieces I should reiterate that this is MY opinion, and is in no way associated, nor even agreed with by Flood Tide Co. or the guys that work there. So if I piss you off here is what I'd recommend. Sit down and write all your feelings, corrections, and rebuttals on paper, or print it from your computer, seal it in an envelope, and light it on fire. I’m not looking for a stimulating conversation, or a discussion about the things I post here. This is my rant, end of story.
Begin Rant.
To start things off, let’s talk about new fly rods. So, to preface this, I worked in fly shops for the majority of my adult life, starting when I was 16. I understand the business of fly fishing. I understand the need for companies to develop new rods, and release new toys. I have no problem with that. What I do have a problem with is people, or companies, acting like they have reinvented the wheel when a new rod comes out.
I have a bunch of rods, but out of the rods I fish most, my salt stuff between 7 and 12 weight, not one of them is newer than 6 years old. A few are pushing 10+ years. Most of them have been broken and replaced/repaired multiple times (thank god for warranties) and all of them are used hard. These were top of the line rods in their day, so I’m not talking about foreign made junk here. I’m talking hand built American rods. You can preach until you're blue in the face about whatever science fiction sounding named graphite laminating process you want. You can tell me all about how some dude in Oregon hand picks each fiber while touching himself to a picture of Gary Loomis. You can show me graphs and charts. Regale me with how the rod “feels”, or how it really lays it down. But, the fact of the matter is, it's not THAT much better. In fact, I’d dare say it’s not “better” at all. Different? Sure. Nice, pretty, well built? Absolutely. But “better”? No. It’s just not. I guess it doesn’t help that the dudes that are usually the first ones in line to pick up the newest and greatest stick, couldn’t put an accurate cast on a fish if you threatened to take their Instagram account away.
So to recap: how bout we all just get together and agree that yes, new rods are nice, they are fun, and sure, if you have a piece of junk and wanna upgrade to something better you totally should. But, can we just quit pretending that the graphite rod wasn't pretty much dialed in a long time ago, and all we are doing is changing it up a little here and there to suit some imagined “need” in “performance”. It's just a rod, and if you can’t take the time to learn good casting form, and put in the practice to make the cast when it counts then you might as well just buy a cheap-o and burn the other $500 bucks, you’ll have spent the same amount of money and you won’t know the difference anyway. You’re welcome…
If you really need to get ahold of Mike, let us know. We'll make it happen.
3 comments
Guy,
It’s a little bit of both really.
I had no idea it was an anger management thing, I always thought the ‘mad’ was crazy, nuts, looney, you know mad as a hatter, demented, deranged, flakey, mad as a March hare. I’m so confused now.
Amen