I finally had the chance to get out and cast my new Bruce & Walker 13'6" 8wt 3-piece Walker rod after much anticipation.
Got to my home river and started getting all giddy once I pulled the rod and sock out of the tube. I looked at the ferrule plugs and thought these are going to get lost, but then I noticed the rod sock had a little pocket sewn in for storage, brilliant!!
I waxed up the ferrules and aligned the small alignment dots that are just enough to be noticed and do not take away from the cosmetics of the rod.
The blank is Gloss British Racing Green and the whippings are twisted green & black thread with neon green tippings.
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Handle is fashioned from amazing fine grade cork. Upper handle has a fine taper and reel seat is a beautiful grain walnut with bright silver fittings. This is the standard size reel seat and not the one that accepts the large vintage reel feet that B&W have available. All my reels are Olson's with modern day reel feet, so there was no need for me to up-size. The butt cap is the famous Bruce & Walker sleeve and cap, I went with the red rubber button
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My 3-3/4" Olson Gear & Pawl is 12.8oz loaded with +200 yds of #30 Dacron backing and 30 yards of coated running line and balances this rod perfectly.
I was disappointed that I left my Gaelforce 15M Extended Spey Heads at home on the bench while I packed my line wallets and sling bag. I was really hoping to try these lines. However, the disappointment soon faded as I spooled up a Gaelforce 9/10 EMT. I worked the head through the tip with 3ft over hang and gave a few tosses ... the line laid out very nicely each time and I could feel the rod work despite my relaxed effort. I peeled 10 pulls of running line off the Olson and made three large loops of running line and placed strategically between my fingers - roll cast straight down stream, then a slow Snap-T motion, pause, D-loop and forward stroke. As the running line zipped off the water it ended with a long chirp from the Olson ... perfection!! WOW, first cast was a beauty and dare I say effortless. I was grinning from ear to ear as I made my way down the run.
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Gene pin-pointed the action of this rod that led me to having him commission one for me. I wanted a rod that would compliment the action of my Sharpes Scotties, understanding of course that different materials have different attributes and may behave differently.
The 13'6" 8wt is much lighter in hand as I first anticipated. Even my river brother Jim commented on how light in hand this rod was. The wiggle test does not do the rod justice. Once the rod is loaded, the true Walker action is revealed. A crisp, focused, full flexing rod from tip to handle accompanied with tip authority. The rod recovers like a rifle shot but the most impressive characteristic is how the rod unloads ... under complete control as it unhinges. Never have I ever felt in total control of cast as I do with this rod - amazing!! I would describe the overall action of the rod as "fluid". There is no pause in action, no dead zone ... completely balanced like one piece buttery smooth fluid motion ... I tried my best. I'm still in awe over this rod.
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The Gaelforce 9/10 EMT (617grains @ 40ft) was buttery smooth and a complete pleasure to cast as it delivered a Type 6 tip without a wrinkle in the line. Each cast was met with an Olson "bark" to complete the cast.
I was also instructed to try a Nextcast Zone head around 630 grains. I had a F2 configuration (measured at 31ft) in my wallet and paired it with a Rio 15ft 135 grain Type 8 tip. The Walker had no issues tossing this line with another 12-15 pulls of running line. I know I was getting deep in the high water with this set-up. A quick roll cast and everything came up to the surface and the Walker easily lifted the rig up and out for the next cast ... effortlessly. Again, the ultra smooth balanced action is forever present during each step of the cast ... all the user has to do is go through the motions.
I noticed the unloading and recovery characteristics of this rod really tamed the long cast with a high, hard stop. The rod tip didn't bounce, allowing the energy of the forward stroke to focus directly straight into the line. This made for comfortable long casts all day long.
I can see this rod being excellent with traditional belly lines around 65ft. Whether as a dry line, full sunk or somewhere in between using tips, the reserved power within this rod can surely tame. Can't wait!!
I found casting this rod to be effortless and ego boosting
I am ultra pleased with every aspect of this rod!!
As I stated in my previous thread - Gene Oswald, Brian and Kay and the entire Bruce & Walker team offer such great customer attention and service
Mike
Got to my home river and started getting all giddy once I pulled the rod and sock out of the tube. I looked at the ferrule plugs and thought these are going to get lost, but then I noticed the rod sock had a little pocket sewn in for storage, brilliant!!
I waxed up the ferrules and aligned the small alignment dots that are just enough to be noticed and do not take away from the cosmetics of the rod.
The blank is Gloss British Racing Green and the whippings are twisted green & black thread with neon green tippings.
Handle is fashioned from amazing fine grade cork. Upper handle has a fine taper and reel seat is a beautiful grain walnut with bright silver fittings. This is the standard size reel seat and not the one that accepts the large vintage reel feet that B&W have available. All my reels are Olson's with modern day reel feet, so there was no need for me to up-size. The butt cap is the famous Bruce & Walker sleeve and cap, I went with the red rubber button
My 3-3/4" Olson Gear & Pawl is 12.8oz loaded with +200 yds of #30 Dacron backing and 30 yards of coated running line and balances this rod perfectly.
I was disappointed that I left my Gaelforce 15M Extended Spey Heads at home on the bench while I packed my line wallets and sling bag. I was really hoping to try these lines. However, the disappointment soon faded as I spooled up a Gaelforce 9/10 EMT. I worked the head through the tip with 3ft over hang and gave a few tosses ... the line laid out very nicely each time and I could feel the rod work despite my relaxed effort. I peeled 10 pulls of running line off the Olson and made three large loops of running line and placed strategically between my fingers - roll cast straight down stream, then a slow Snap-T motion, pause, D-loop and forward stroke. As the running line zipped off the water it ended with a long chirp from the Olson ... perfection!! WOW, first cast was a beauty and dare I say effortless. I was grinning from ear to ear as I made my way down the run.
Gene pin-pointed the action of this rod that led me to having him commission one for me. I wanted a rod that would compliment the action of my Sharpes Scotties, understanding of course that different materials have different attributes and may behave differently.
The 13'6" 8wt is much lighter in hand as I first anticipated. Even my river brother Jim commented on how light in hand this rod was. The wiggle test does not do the rod justice. Once the rod is loaded, the true Walker action is revealed. A crisp, focused, full flexing rod from tip to handle accompanied with tip authority. The rod recovers like a rifle shot but the most impressive characteristic is how the rod unloads ... under complete control as it unhinges. Never have I ever felt in total control of cast as I do with this rod - amazing!! I would describe the overall action of the rod as "fluid". There is no pause in action, no dead zone ... completely balanced like one piece buttery smooth fluid motion ... I tried my best. I'm still in awe over this rod.
The Gaelforce 9/10 EMT (617grains @ 40ft) was buttery smooth and a complete pleasure to cast as it delivered a Type 6 tip without a wrinkle in the line. Each cast was met with an Olson "bark" to complete the cast.
I was also instructed to try a Nextcast Zone head around 630 grains. I had a F2 configuration (measured at 31ft) in my wallet and paired it with a Rio 15ft 135 grain Type 8 tip. The Walker had no issues tossing this line with another 12-15 pulls of running line. I know I was getting deep in the high water with this set-up. A quick roll cast and everything came up to the surface and the Walker easily lifted the rig up and out for the next cast ... effortlessly. Again, the ultra smooth balanced action is forever present during each step of the cast ... all the user has to do is go through the motions.
I noticed the unloading and recovery characteristics of this rod really tamed the long cast with a high, hard stop. The rod tip didn't bounce, allowing the energy of the forward stroke to focus directly straight into the line. This made for comfortable long casts all day long.
I can see this rod being excellent with traditional belly lines around 65ft. Whether as a dry line, full sunk or somewhere in between using tips, the reserved power within this rod can surely tame. Can't wait!!
I found casting this rod to be effortless and ego boosting
I am ultra pleased with every aspect of this rod!!
As I stated in my previous thread - Gene Oswald, Brian and Kay and the entire Bruce & Walker team offer such great customer attention and service
Mike
