Thanks to some really nice people I had the pleasure of fishing the new Access 10' #4, from here on in known as the Access 104 (cue the convoy jokes).
It comes in a natty tube with a web of dividers inside that do away with the need for a rod bag. Not everyones cup of tea, but I like it as the rod can dry out better. The rod is finished in a "root beer" colour that looks lovely in the Highland light, and the gold fittings are superb. Hamish's Orvis mid arbor reel was a bit tight in the cork end of the reel seat (but was held firmly) but my Teton slipped in perfectly. It might be a case of try before you buy. The reel seat spacer is carbon fibre, finished in the same root beer. Shiny!
The cork is smooth and of a high quality. Sure there is filler, but more expensive rods have that too and sometimes not as well finished.
Chrome snakes might not have the same ring as titanium or recoil guides but at £300 and not the Helios £600, costs have to be saved somewhere. These savings take nothing away from the rod and I can't help but feel that we used these rings for years and they were just fine. Gold line up dots are the perfect finish to a high class blank. In fact all the whippings were well finished, transparent and lacking in crap, bubbled varnish.
In the hand the 104 is light, really light, not that far behind the Helios 104. It tracks well and throws a very straight line. Fishing from the boat, and at boat distances, it sent cast after cast, all day, in a straight line with only one false cast. Loop size was easily controllable, from open and delicate to drop two flies gently or arrow head tight to go through the wind and still turn over. Yes it's tippy, but it's a casting for fishing tool not a casting for prizes tool. Roll casts snap out and turn over beautifully and Hamish had no problem showing off with some rather natty roll/flip casts.
When the wind died off (and just for fun) we tried it for distance. WF4 is not a distance line but H had the backing knot out and I was only a couple of yards under that (well four...) This would be just as at home off the bank as out of the boat.
So what happens when you hook up to a trout? It forms a lovely bendy curve that cushions runs and acrobatic leaps but still gives you full control over the quarry. My 4lb nylon never felt stressed and I could have probably gone lighter without a problem. Line control is superb and hooking trout at close range on the dibble in front of the boat was no problem, much to the surprise of more than one Brownie.
Would I have one? F**k yes!
And as soon as I have the money I WILL have one. It is one of the finest rods I've ever cast. I have odd tastes in rods thanks to Geoffrey Bucknall, so ten foot long and a light line, #4, is everything that I want. It would be right at home with all the trout and grayling in the UK and I'll bet that sea trout would also fall for it's charms, river or loch. From a tube it would be right at home, especially on a Highland loch.
It's only £300 and Christmas is coming guys...
