The other rod

For most fly fishermen talking about rods and gear is like talking about the hottest girls in highschool. No need to explain I guess, we just get excited about gear the way we did ‘bout them girls back then. In some way it has more similarities, on the other hand the taste differs more (among fisherman) when it comes to gear. Not only beauty counts, but what's underneath too. Not just looks, but also the fishability. Maybe that’s why some guys would go for a regular good looking girl instead of the bitchiest cheerleader around. Just because the regular good looking ones did not come with such an attitude.

Well, enough for the parallels and paradoxes. When our team started, we figured out what kind of rods we would like to use to seriously challenge and provoke all those other stick-swinging pikers that will be there in May. Over the last years I have been fishing with a no nonsense rod that did not fail me. And if the rod did break or got damaged on the battlefield there was always a superb warranty service. Because when you go out and fish a whole day, all that counts is being able to rely on your rod. And if it ends up broken, the only thing you care about is whether it will be fixed before you go out on your next trip. Whether it be wandering around on the flats in search for a stealthy bone, or just scavenging around in the Dutch polders in search of pike, it will be you and the rod who have to take care of the quick and accurate presentation of your fly. And the best rods are still the ones that can help you deliver just that.

But let’s just quit the BS and get to the point of this writing. Herewith we would like to introduce our other rod sponsor: Temple Fork Outfitters.
In the past I did all the abovementioned things with a TiCr X, and when we were discussing which rods we would like to use, it was TFO that came up in my mind immediately. So a letter was sent and the response was hopeful. “Just tell us what you guys have in mind” it sounded. And some weeks later a couple of testing rods arrived in the Netherlands. 10 weights, as we thought it would be handy to really have some heavy weight equipment with us at the tournament. The requirements were easy. The rod should be good to fish with all day and tough enough to deliver even the heaviest, biggest zonker flies we can tie. Think big, like 10-15 inch long double zonkers...

Within the selection of rods TFO sent us, there was this one rod that got us all stunned. So ladies and gentleman, we hereby would like to introduce to you our other weapon of choice: the TFO Axiom: 10 weight, fast and easy nine footer. Just 4 pieces of smartly produced carbon that make one helluva mean and tough, yet very responsive stick. As I am more a fisherman then a casting technician I just want to describe this sublime rod from the point of view of a fisherman. Okay, I have to admit, I spend most of my spare time looking for fish and adventures, so I cast a lot, but in the end for me it is not about the 30 meter long cast on a lane, but how the rod works in the field.


Smart and durable composite grip to facilitate the (especially for heavier line weights) widely used tumb-on-top technique.

When you look at this dark blue beauty at first, it looks like a very fearsome and hard stick. It feels like a very fast action rod, but when casting a bit with it you will soon notice the right pace is just remarkably easy to pick up. Myself I am quite a slow caster, and still this rod is able to give me the perfect feel. I can judge easily when to make the frontcast and the backcast without spending too much attention and concentration on getting the timing right. Even without a double haul this rod still enables you to get your XXXL streamer into the zone where the fish are lying in wait to charge your fly.

Having fished with a lot of different 10 weights, both on tropical trips as on occasional pike trips on bigger water, I know what it means to be carrying around a heavy weight rod all day, making lots of casts and still staying comfortable (I mean, your arm muscles must still be able to lift up that pint of beer or bottle of rum at the end of every single fishing day of your trip, if not the trip could be considered as a fail in my opinion). When it comes to long days of fishing you want this type of rod, it is hard and mean, but still gentle on you and even after several hours you can still rely on it to do just what you want without tiring to much. Making just that perfect cast when that single trophy comes along and still being razor-sharp, 'cause when you get that hookup the drill should be something that makes for the icing on the cake.


With a firm butt and golden rings, she's one sexy Queen: "Oh, and you give it all you've got, fat butted rods, you make the fishing world go round"

And just like our other rod, the economics are also a huge plus. TFO perfectly shows that no one should spend too much money on a rod. It is just perfect fishing material at a reasonable price. The savings you make on the rod can make a huge difference on your reels budget and mostly in this heavy weight a good reel could make the difference of capturing or losing that once in a lifetime trophy. Well, enough said; it is just an affordable rod that can be qualified as a true solid and reliable launchpad for whatever you want to throw towards big fish. The perfect match for any true addict of the sport.

And to get back to our parallels and paradoxes: this time it feels like we did get one of the true beauties, and she is actually willing to go all the way with us!

Sander