
[Interview starts at 41:04]
I get a lot of questions about how fly rods are designed, and I think there are a number of misconceptions about where that new rod, like the Helios Blackout series, came from. Where did the idea come from? How is the design created? If you want a 9-foot, five-inch 5-weight rod, do you just add five inches to an existing rod design? I think you’ll be surprised at what goes into a new fly-rod design, and think you’ll enjoy peaking under the hood with a rod designer.
In the Fly Box, we have some great comments and questions, including:
- A great explanation of the spirituality of fly fishing
- When I move from one tailwater to another, my techniques don’t seem to work. What should I change?
- My small stream fished well last year. This year the water is colder and higher. What should I do?
- Is it OK to cut my fly line back if it’s cracked?
- What would you do if you see trout in shallow, clear water and they are not rising?
- Do you have any suggestions for detecting carp strikes in cloudy water?
- Is there a largemouth fly that is as weedless as a rubber worm?
- What flies do you recommend for bonnethead sharks?
- A cool suggestion for adding a dropper fly
- What organizations do you recommend if I care about climate change and the environment?

This in my opinion is the single best article ever published on this site. I love the chat between tom and shawn regarding rods and what we may see going forward with helios 4 . 100 percent graphite composite guides to replace snake guides and smaller diameter rods for further reduced weight . I like their thinking..hope they release them soon ….