My observation is every time someone has come out with a new method of construction or introduced a new material into fly rods (up to the end of the 20th century) they've generally failed to fully capitalise on it's benefits and it's been left to the competition to make the best use of it. Orvis vs Sage is a good example with graphite. Although Fenwick (arguably) were the first to bring graphite technology into rod construction their rods were weak and prone to failure. So it was Orvis who introduced it into fly rods in 1974, but the range of rods Orvis produced were designed to reflect the best properties of their previous (and concurrent) split cane (sorry, bamboo) rods and did not take full advantage of the properties of graphite. Although others did try to make full use of this material (notably Lamiglas), it was some eight years later that Sage (or the Winslow Rod Co. as it was originally) that took the material to new heights with the Reserve Power range - or RP as we know them now.
So I agree, the RP range were a leap forward, but some years from when graphite first came on the scene.
Within a decade, everyone seemed to be using the material - with different levels of performance, however
There was boron at the same time.... but that's another story.
It seems to me that the introduction of a new material has generally been very expensive by the time the finished product is in the hands of the 'ordinary' angler. But as the use of the technology becomes cheaper, a few years down the line, the 'ordinary' angler can afford the newer materials. Neatly, that suggests to me that some older technology has reached the very pinnacle of what is achievable with it before it's 'retired' or re-branded somehow in a 'classic' range.
Today, I'm not so sure that as many years would go by (as arguably it did at the time of graphite introduction) without the new technologies quickly finding their way into far better mid and lower priced gear. The market potential is so significant that no manufacturer of fly rods (other than those who insist on making grass noodle things
) can afford to ignore the potential in new material. That's good news for 'Joe Angler'.
For me, going back to the very beginning of this thread, the significant rods of a generation up to the end of the 20th century were:
1. Greenheart - has to be the Grant Vibration range.
2. Split cane/bamboo - tricky. Although others might disagree, I think the Palakona range are right up there.
3. Fibreglass - errrr....... undecided.
3. Graphite - Sage RP although arguably Lamiglas were the first to make it really 'work' as a material.
4. Boron - well, boron/graphite - Winston
Interesting stuff, will have to look into this a wee bit more I think.
H
