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#62 · (Edited)
I've spent a considerable amount of time casting the new Gaelforce Equalizer G+ Graphene four-piece 14- and 15-foot rods. I also own the original four-piece Gaelforce Equalizer 14- and 15-foot models. Amending an earlier report, most casters will find the new G+ Graphene models from Gaelforce to be significantly more powerful offerings as compared to the original (and still available) Gaelforce Equalizer.*

The progressive action of the two series is very similar: a stiff tip that does not fold under heavy loads; a deep bend into the butt and cork handle; lightning-quick recovery. If you prefer a longer and a more relaxed casting stroke while fishing, go with the original Gaelforce Equalizer. If you lean towards rods with incredible reserves of power, even faster recovery and cutting-edge technology, go with the Gaelforce Equalizer G+ Graphene series.

*To review the line recommendations for every Gaelforce rod, go to the individual page for the rod in question on the Gaelforce website.
 
#63 ·
Topher Browne said:
I've spent a considerable amount of time casting the new Gaelforce Equalizer G+ Graphene four-piece 14- and 15-foot rods. I also own the original four-piece Gaelforce Equalizer 14- and 15-foot models. Amending an earlier report, most casters will find the new G+ Graphene models from Gaelforce to be significantly more powerful offerings as compared to the original (and still available) Gaelforce Equalizer.*

The progressive action of the two series is very similar: a stiff tip that does not fold under heavy loads; a deep bend into the butt and cork handle; lightning-quick recovery. If you prefer a longer and a more relaxed casting stroke while fishing, go with the original Gaelforce Equalizer. If you lean towards rods with incredible reserves of power, even faster recovery and cutting-edge technology, go with the Gaelforce Equalizer G+ Graphene series.

*To review the line recommendations for every Gaelforce rod, go to the individual page for the rod in question on the Gaelforce website.
Click to expand...
Sent you a pm
 
#64 ·
I have had my 11/3 equalizer switch G+ for 7 months now. It quickly became the rod I took to the local river for practice casting. I have been able to fish this rod in several Alaskan rivers now and landed many fish. I did have to use the “Switch” aspect while fishing on the windy kvichak river. Here I was able to overhead cast incredibly smooth and very very far.
I just can say enough about this rod. I fish all the high end brands, custom and mainstream, and this Gaelforce G+ 11'3" switch will go head to head with any of them,, and likely win over anyone new to this rod.
Superb durability, (I literally watched the tip section get stepped on and withstand it). Superb handle section, I wouldn't change a thing about it. Superb reel seat, seriously the best reel seat I have ever used. Unbelievable power, I feel like I am just now starting to unlock its potential as I am getting my casting dialed in.
If anyone has any doubts about these rods I am here to tell you that I did too, only because I hadn't heard of them yet. Now I feel like I need to purchase a 2nd one just incase someone steps on my baby again.

Fantastic top notch fishing tool!
 
#65 ·
JackaHeineken said:
Hi fellow fishermans around the world!

I haven't write often here. Reason for that is written english ( i spoke it quite well but writing...oh man it is difficult ).
I have own a lot of different fly rods over the years. And over the years, i have found the rods to me after lot of testing etc. I love CND GT rods ( which i have many ) + Meiser rods ( i have some ), Burkheimer`s etc...

Last weekend i had possibility to test Gaelforce fly rods and lines ( testing is continuing next weekend ). I have to say, they are totally different then i expect them to be, attliest some of them.

15`#10...when i took it to my hands first time, i was thinking it is nice, powerful rod which bends to a bottom, but it is little bit too stiff / fast to my taste. I was so wrong. It is super nice and easy rod to cast. I had to adjust little bit my casting, shorter strokes etc and it id everything i wanted so easily, without using any energy/power. And casting distances were really good. I use Gaelforce 63`#10/11 speyline and Nextcast ( which is my favorite fly line designer ) salarfinder 45 #10/11. Both works really well with a rod, superb combinations. I felt like it can be even better then my CND GT Salar 15`#10/11, which is best rod i have ever test in that class. And we liked a Gaelforce speyline too.

Then i ( we ) took 14,6`#9/10 Gaelforce rod under tests...it was precicely what i was thinking it to be. Light, easy, powerful, bending quite deep, doing everything we wanted as we wanted.
Married with Procarron speyline everything was easy, fun, nice, good sensitivity, it works very well, maybe even better then with 14,2`CND GT Steelhead and 14,4`CND Steelhead rods. Lifting the line was super easy and light to do and i could cast fly line maybe little bit further then before ( without measurement i can't say for sure ).
Then Gaelforce 63`#10/11 fly line to it and it was easy, simple to cast good distances. This line works better to me and my friend likes more 63`#9/10 line with that rod.
Then Gaelforce Skagit 550 grain fly line with 14,6`rod and it was superb combination. Absolutely good. I love my CND GT 13,7`#7/8/9 fly rod with skagit lines...best combination for that skagits ever tried but this was attliest as good. And man, that skagit line is good...and you can attchieve nice distances with that fly line ( paired with Gaelforce sinking tip ).

Then 14`#9/10...with that rod, we were little bit lost. First paired with Nextcast SF40 #9/10 and we didn't get good touch to it. Then Procarron speyline ( 65, but real length is near 61`) and it works beautifully. Good lifting power, nice and easy casting.

Here is some videos of Gaelforce fly rods ( lines are Gaelforce + Nextcast + Carron ) under the casting and i try to upload more of casting videos during the next week ( if weather is okay and everything goes well, at weekend I'm testing and video shooting more ). And from my pages you can find some videos of casting with CND and Meiser fly rods too.
https://www.youtube.com/user/JackaHeineken/videos?view_as=subscriber

Best wishes!
Jukka Heikkinen
Finland
Click to expand...
Well written Jukka! Thank you!!
 
#66 ·
Review of Gaelforce G+ Equalizer Graphene 15-foot 10-weight by Topher Browne

If you haunt any of the chat forums related to spey casting and salmon fishing on the Internet, you’ll find several lively discussions regarding the use of graphene in fly rods. Some of these opinions are informed, others not so much. The consensus for many seems to be that the use of graphene in fly rods imparts minimal or no benefit to rod action and is little more than a marketing ploy designed to get consumers to part with their hard-earned krone, pounds or euros. What exactly is graphene? Where is the graphene used in the fly rod? Does the use of graphene in fly rods improve their construction and their “cast-ability”? In order to unpack these questions, I compared the non-graphene Gaelforce Equalizer 15-foot 10-weight (GE 1510) with the new Gaelforce G+ Graphene 15-foot 10-weight (GEG+ 1510) at my local casting pond.

Graphene is a honeycomb layer of carbon atoms, measuring exactly one atom in thickness. At 200 times stronger than steel yet lighter than aluminum and more elastic than rubber, graphene is the strongest material known to science. Graphene fly rods employ a small amount of graphene nano particles in the resin used to make the prepreg that is rolled around a mandrel. Prepreg is a common term for carbon fiber that has been pre-impregnated with resin. The addition of graphene nano particles to resin systems allows manufacturers to use prepreg that is substantially lighter, stronger and more durable. This incremental improvement reduces the amount of resin in the construction of a rod blank, which in turn allows the manufacturer to manipulate the overall weight of the rod, its recovery rate and its durability while simultaneously increasing its tensile strength.

To compare the non-graphene Gaelforce Equalizer 15-foot 10-weight with the new Gaelforce G+ Graphene 15-foot 10-weight, I cast both rods with the Gaelforce Equalizer Extended Spey Head (EES) rated for a #10 line (50 grams/770 grains). At 15 meters (49 feet), the EES is “tweener” line, which is to say that it casts with the ease of a floating Scandinavian shooting head yet flies like a much longer line in the Scottish style. If I were forced to choose one dry line to fish forever, the EES would be it. I used Varivas 36-pound shooting line and alternated the same reel and line on both rods to ensure an apples-to-apples comparison.

I previously reviewed the Gaelforce Equalizer 15-foot 10-weight rod (GE 1510) for Chasing Silver in 2020, so I won’t go into great depth on this rod here. The GE 1510 is my go-to rod for June salmon on the Restigouche and Cascapedia rivers in Quebec. It is a powerful rod yet easy to time, with a cadence and a tempo that is decidedly relaxed. The rod casts with real authority yet rewards the caster who is able to use the kick that resides in the bottom of the rod to do all the work. The GE 1510 is the smoothest 15-foot rod that I have ever cast. I can put the rod on “autopilot” and fish it for a week without fatigue.

The new Gaelforce G+ Graphene 15-foot 10-weight (GEG+ 1510) is not simply the GE 1510 with the addition of graphene-enhanced prepreg. It is a rather different animal altogether. I was able to cast the EES #10 shooting head from the tip of the GEG+ 1510, but I had difficulty accessing that kick in the bottom of the rod that is a hallmark of all Gaelforce rods. I decided to throw some more grams at the GEG+ 1510, so I switched out the EES #10 for the EES #11, which weighs in at a tidy 55 grams (847 grains). Now we’re talking. The GEG+ 1510 woke up from its slumber and began to fire out tight loops across the pool. The strong tip combined with a deep progressive action allowed me to make large angle changes with a single spey or a snake roll. The additional weight of the EES #11 poked the dragon, and the dragon responded by breathing fire.

To push the GEG+ 1510 even farther, I exchanged the EES #11 shooting head for the Gaelforce Equalizer Extreme Distance 65 (EED 65) shooting head. Affectionately known as the “Foxy” line in casting circles, the EED 65 is 19.8 meters/65 feet in length, weighing in at 55 grams/848 grains. As I’ve been working with longer lines over the last two or three years, the EED 65 hit the sweet spot for me. I was rewarded with the longest and cleanest casts that I’ve ever made using a rod and a line designed for fishing (as opposed to a tournament casting). The GEG+ 1510 is simply spectacular with the EED 65, reflecting the unusual and well documented facility of its designer with longer lines. “To infinity and beyond!” as Buzz Lightyear would say, or, at the very least, to the other side of a fairly sizable river.

So, where does the graphene come into play with the GEG+ 1510? The first clue is the weight of the GEG+ 1510 (297grams/10.5 ounces) as compared to the GE 1510 (304 grams/10.75 ounces). The 7-gram difference may not sound impressive, but remember that the two rods are very different animals. The GE 1510 is a true 10-weight whereas the GEG+ 1510 is an exceptionally powerful #10/11-weight. For those of you who are into ERN (Effective Rod Number) ratings, I’d give the GE 1510 an ERN rating of 10.5 and the GEG+ 1510 an ERN rating of 11.5.

Given the dissimilar measurements of stiffness and action for the two rods, I suspected that the lay-up of the graphene-enhanced prepreg around the mandrel is different for the GEG+ 1510 than it is for the GE 1510 (with the standard prepreg). I asked James Chalmers, the designer of both rods, and he confirmed that he incorporated additional wraps of graphene-enhanced carbon fiber at several locations along the blank of the GEG+ 1510 in order to achieve the desired action and stiffness. In other words, graphene works exactly as advertised in the GEG+ 1510. A designer can use additional carbon fiber material in a rod and still produce a lighter rod, providing, of course, that he uses graphene in the resin system.

As the new graphene GEG+ 1510 is significantly more powerful and yet lighter than the non-graphene GE 1510, the recovery of the rod is lightning quick. The deflection of the rod tip and its subsequent recovery are important components of tight loops. The GEG+ 1510 does not disappoint in this category. The rod throws absolute darts, providing you throw enough grams/grains on the rod to load it up appropriately. I have yet to play a large salmon on the GEG+ 1510, but I have no doubt that it is an absolute “storlaks tamer”. If June is your favorite month on the larger rivers of Norway and Sweden and you find yourself tying weighted tube flies that measure 8 to 10 centimeters more often than not, then the new Gaelforce G+ Graphene 15-foot 10-weight should be high on your wish list for next season.
 
#67 ·
Topher Browne said:
Review of Gaelforce G+ Equalizer Graphene 15-foot 10-weight by Topher Browne

If you haunt any of the chat forums related to spey casting and salmon fishing on the Internet, you’ll find several lively discussions regarding the use of graphene in fly rods. Some of these opinions are informed, others not so much. The consensus for many seems to be that the use of graphene in fly rods imparts minimal or no benefit to rod action and is little more than a marketing ploy designed to get consumers to part with their hard-earned krone, pounds or euros. What exactly is graphene? Where is the graphene used in the fly rod? Does the use of graphene in fly rods improve their construction and their “cast-ability”? In order to unpack these questions, I compared the non-graphene Gaelforce Equalizer 15-foot 10-weight (GE 1510) with the new Gaelforce G+ Graphene 15-foot 10-weight (GEG+ 1510) at my local casting pond.

Graphene is a honeycomb layer of carbon atoms, measuring exactly one atom in thickness. At 200 times stronger than steel yet lighter than aluminum and more elastic than rubber, graphene is the strongest material known to science. Graphene fly rods employ a small amount of graphene nano particles in the resin used to make the prepreg that is rolled around a mandrel. Prepreg is a common term for carbon fiber that has been pre-impregnated with resin. The addition of graphene nano particles to resin systems allows manufacturers to use prepreg that is substantially lighter, stronger and more durable. This incremental improvement reduces the amount of resin in the construction of a rod blank, which in turn allows the manufacturer to manipulate the overall weight of the rod, its recovery rate and its durability while simultaneously increasing its tensile strength.

To compare the non-graphene Gaelforce Equalizer 15-foot 10-weight with the new Gaelforce G+ Graphene 15-foot 10-weight, I cast both rods with the Gaelforce Equalizer Extended Spey Head (EES) rated for a #10 line (50 grams/770 grains). At 15 meters (49 feet), the EES is “tweener” line, which is to say that it casts with the ease of a floating Scandinavian shooting head yet flies like a much longer line in the Scottish style. If I were forced to choose one dry line to fish forever, the EES would be it. I used Varivas 36-pound shooting line and alternated the same reel and line on both rods to ensure an apples-to-apples comparison.

I previously reviewed the Gaelforce Equalizer 15-foot 10-weight rod (GE 1510) for Chasing Silver in 2020, so I won’t go into great depth on this rod here. The GE 1510 is my go-to rod for June salmon on the Restigouche and Cascapedia rivers in Quebec. It is a powerful rod yet easy to time, with a cadence and a tempo that is decidedly relaxed. The rod casts with real authority yet rewards the caster who is able to use the kick that resides in the bottom of the rod to do all the work. The GE 1510 is the smoothest 15-foot rod that I have ever cast. I can put the rod on “autopilot” and fish it for a week without fatigue.

The new Gaelforce G+ Graphene 15-foot 10-weight (GEG+ 1510) is not simply the GE 1510 with the addition of graphene-enhanced prepreg. It is a rather different animal altogether. I was able to cast the EES #10 shooting head from the tip of the GEG+ 1510, but I had difficulty accessing that kick in the bottom of the rod that is a hallmark of all Gaelforce rods. I decided to throw some more grams at the GEG+ 1510, so I switched out the EES #10 for the EES #11, which weighs in at a tidy 55 grams (847 grains). Now we’re talking. The GEG+ 1510 woke up from its slumber and began to fire out tight loops across the pool. The strong tip combined with a deep progressive action allowed me to make large angle changes with a single spey or a snake roll. The additional weight of the EES #11 poked the dragon, and the dragon responded by breathing fire.

To push the GEG+ 1510 even farther, I exchanged the EES #11 shooting head for the Gaelforce Equalizer Extreme Distance 65 (EED 65) shooting head. Affectionately known as the “Foxy” line in casting circles, the EED 65 is 19.8 meters/65 feet in length, weighing in at 55 grams/848 grains. As I’ve been working with longer lines over the last two or three years, the EED 65 hit the sweet spot for me. I was rewarded with the longest and cleanest casts that I’ve ever made using a rod and a line designed for fishing (as opposed to a tournament casting). The GEG+ 1510 is simply spectacular with the EED 65, reflecting the unusual and well documented facility of its designer with longer lines. “To infinity and beyond!” as Buzz Lightyear would say, or, at the very least, to the other side of a fairly sizable river.

So, where does the graphene come into play with the GEG+ 1510? The first clue is the weight of the GEG+ 1510 (297grams/10.5 ounces) as compared to the GE 1510 (304 grams/10.75 ounces). The 7-gram difference may not sound impressive, but remember that the two rods are very different animals. The GE 1510 is a true 10-weight whereas the GEG+ 1510 is an exceptionally powerful #10/11-weight. For those of you who are into ERN (Effective Rod Number) ratings, I’d give the GE 1510 an ERN rating of 10.5 and the GEG+ 1510 an ERN rating of 11.5.

Given the dissimilar measurements of stiffness and action for the two rods, I suspected that the lay-up of the graphene-enhanced prepreg around the mandrel is different for the GEG+ 1510 than it is for the GE 1510 (with the standard prepreg). I asked James Chalmers, the designer of both rods, and he confirmed that he incorporated additional wraps of graphene-enhanced carbon fiber at several locations along the blank of the GEG+ 1510 in order to achieve the desired action and stiffness. In other words, graphene works exactly as advertised in the GEG+ 1510. A designer can use additional carbon fiber material in a rod and still produce a lighter rod, providing, of course, that he uses graphene in the resin system.

As the new graphene GEG+ 1510 is significantly more powerful and yet lighter than the non-graphene GE 1510, the recovery of the rod is lightning quick. The deflection of the rod tip and its subsequent recovery are important components of tight loops. The GEG+ 1510 does not disappoint in this category. The rod throws absolute darts, providing you throw enough grams/grains on the rod to load it up appropriately. I have yet to play a large salmon on the GEG+ 1510, but I have no doubt that it is an absolute “storlaks tamer”. If June is your favorite month on the larger rivers of Norway and Sweden and you find yourself tying weighted tube flies that measure 8 to 10 centimeters more often than not, then the new Gaelforce G+ Graphene 15-foot 10-weight should be high on your wish list for next season.
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Thanks Topher for the incredibly detailed review
 
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#71 ·
SalmonCane said:
I've tried to do a bit of research about Gaelforce rods, but most comments involve the competition rods, which seem to be quite competitive in that world. However, there seems to be little out there about the rods from folks who use them for actual fishing. Any thoughts or comments? In particular, I was wondering about their 6 pc. "Destination" series.

Obviously they are at the very top end in terms of cost, so I'm sure that limits their distribution, but surely someone uses them. As best I can determine, the Red Shed seems to be their sole vendor in the US.
Click to expand...
I have a 13'9" Destination 8/9 that I use as my travel rod and it seems to be a good rod. I'm not in the same class as folks who really focus on casting but in my hands it seems to be effective enough. I'm not saying that it's better than my Sage One 13'6" #8 rod but it's good and fits in my travel bag just fine.
 
#72 ·
Ard, I have the same rod and love it .There's an additional plus that no-one has mentioned ( I only discovered this 3 weeks ago .The ALPS reel seat will fit all EVH reels up to a Restigouche 6/0 !!
The equally absolutely superb Mackenzie rods use the ALPS reel seat and will accept an antique EVH as well .
 
#74 ·
Salar-1 said:
Ard, I have the same rod and love it .There's an additional plus that no-one has mentioned ( I only discovered this 3 weeks ago .The ALPS reel seat will fit all EVH reels up to a Restigouche 6/0 !!
The equally absolutely superb Mackenzie rods use the ALPS reel seat and will accept an antique EVH as well .
Click to expand...
Hi Brian,

I actually had the original hardware that came on the Sage One rod replaced with a jet black Alps triangle seat by Steve G. years ago, It was his thinking that I would like them and he was correct. When I decided to get the Destination rod and then saw that it uses the same Alps hardware it helped seal the deal. I should add that I found James Chalmers to be wonderful to deal with and he always has time to take a call to get acquainted with his customers. The whole experience was good. And to our original poster, you won't be disappointed with a Gealforce rod ;)
 
#75 · (Edited)
Topher Browne said:
Brian: Please send me the Vom Hofe Restigouche 6/0 so that I can make sure that it also fits into my ALPS reel seat. I will return the reel to you on November 1. Or thereabouts 😂😂. TB
Click to expand...
Topher , OK Very kind of you to offer to babysit one of my 6/0's ,but which one ? Consider a G+ 1510 as a trade ?:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
Image

Image
 
#76 ·
paddymc said:
I have the 14’6 9/10wt Graphene Destination.

It still bends like the original equivalent version, but it is much steelier, more powerful (slightly) and quicker in recovery.

Great rod.
Click to expand...
Good day, Could you recommend any line for this rods, thanks.:cool:
 
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