Used & Abused: Guideline Fario 9ft 5-wt Fly Rod - 11/06/2010
Steve Cullen tests Guideline’s new Fario fly rods and finds the 9ft 5-wt that he’s been using is just right for running water.
I have been a fan of all things Guideline for some years; the company has a knack of getting things right time and time again. It came as no surprise, then, when I discovered that it was the number-one fly fishing company in Scandinavia; its gear really is top drawer.
My first outing with the Fario saw me on the Derbyshire Derwent, where I began by upstream nymphing, dropping my flies into likely looking pockets of water. I set up with a floating line, a reasonably long 9ft tapered leader and a 5ft tippet section to which I attached a Partridge and Orange on the top dropper and a beaded Pheasant Tail Nymph on the point.
Casting this ‘longish’ leader, either with quick little Speys or proper overhead casts, was a doddle and the rod responded very well when fishing close in or at distance. After catching several grayling and trout, and experiencing every little bit of the fight, which felt great on this rod, I switched to a single dry fly so that I could target something a bit bigger.
I was watching a steady riser that appeared to be a sizeable brown, sipping olives from the surface near the far bank. I lengthened my leader to around 18 to 20 feet and one of my favourite olive imitations went on the end.
Several false casts later I landed the fly upstream of him. The trout came up and sipped down my offering – I had him, and within seconds he was at my feet. This is never good when the fish is still so fresh but the rod coped with his powerful lunges admirably; it has backbone where it counts. A few frantic minutes later and I was able to slip the barbless hook out of a 2lb brownie and see him on his way. Since then I’ve had several outings with this rod and every one has been an utter joy.
It helps when you have the right tools for the job.
Guideline Fario 9ft 5-wt Fly Rod
- Medium-to-fast action
- Four-piece
- High-gloss olive blank
- Engraved mayfly on the butt cap
- Reversed half-Wells cork with dark cork ring inserts
- Powder-coated Fario aluminum rod tube with logo and engraved mayfly
- Alignment dots on each section
RRP: From £299 to £325
Distributor: 07802 508483
www.guideline.no/en/
E-mail: info@guidelineflyfish.no/en/
