At this year's Sandy Clave, I lawn cast a Hardy 8 or 8/9 wt. GEM spey rod with the Mach 1 line. Mr. Murray was coaching me, and when I remarked that the oufit was the fastest action I have ever cast, by a huge margin, Mr. Murray agreed saying the rod "...was definitely for pingers." A pinger is a caster with a fast short stroke, I believe.
The Mach 1 fly line head weighs 338 grains per Mr. Murray and Speybum's earlier post. This is incredibly light for an 8 or 9 weight spey rod.
For comparisons I list Rio's head weights [grain weight ranges due to difference in TC Compensator vs. T2 Float]:
•WC 5/6 365 grains.
• WC 6.7.8 460 to 485 grains
• MS 6.7 490 to 527
• WC 7.8.9 490 to 527 grains
• MS 7.8 560 to 581
• WC 8.9.10 585 to 608
• MS 8.9 640 to 681
The Hardy line/rod combo makes Simon's A ratings look slow. I do not understand how a 9 wt rod, for example, can cast well with 338 grain line.
Will the more experienced spey folks who have cast the GEM/Mach 1 combination please educate me about usefullness of this setup?
Many thanks, Bob
The Mach 1 fly line head weighs 338 grains per Mr. Murray and Speybum's earlier post. This is incredibly light for an 8 or 9 weight spey rod.
For comparisons I list Rio's head weights [grain weight ranges due to difference in TC Compensator vs. T2 Float]:
•WC 5/6 365 grains.
• WC 6.7.8 460 to 485 grains
• MS 6.7 490 to 527
• WC 7.8.9 490 to 527 grains
• MS 7.8 560 to 581
• WC 8.9.10 585 to 608
• MS 8.9 640 to 681
The Hardy line/rod combo makes Simon's A ratings look slow. I do not understand how a 9 wt rod, for example, can cast well with 338 grain line.
Will the more experienced spey folks who have cast the GEM/Mach 1 combination please educate me about usefullness of this setup?
Many thanks, Bob