R
Ron 'The Hat' Clay (ACA)
Guest
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the best material for fishing rod handles is natural cork.
And do you know you are not onlymaintaining a traditional industry by insisting on cork for your fishing rod handle, you are helpingthe conservation of cork tree forestsin the Mediterranian regions.
Cork is actually the bark of a certain strain of oak tree. After the bark is stripped off, it will grow again. The best cork comes from Portugal and although they have tried to grow it in other parts of the world, it has never been successful.
It would be hard to imagine a fly rod handle made of anything other than cork. Duplon has been tried without much success. And not because of traditional values either. Cork, being not so easily compressable, transmits the movement and sensitivity of the rod blank to the anglers hands better than any other material I know. Cork stays warm in winter and cool in summer. Cork does not become clogged with dirt and slime as easy as duplon and is so easy to clean.
Cork must breath however and it is important to remove any plastic covering the handle may have before using the rod, or moisture will get up inside the handle and the cork will rot.
But who wants to have the cork covered with slippery plastic when you can handlethis wonderful sensuously beautiful natural material.
Appreciate and insist on the magic of cork.
And do you know you are not onlymaintaining a traditional industry by insisting on cork for your fishing rod handle, you are helpingthe conservation of cork tree forestsin the Mediterranian regions.
Cork is actually the bark of a certain strain of oak tree. After the bark is stripped off, it will grow again. The best cork comes from Portugal and although they have tried to grow it in other parts of the world, it has never been successful.
It would be hard to imagine a fly rod handle made of anything other than cork. Duplon has been tried without much success. And not because of traditional values either. Cork, being not so easily compressable, transmits the movement and sensitivity of the rod blank to the anglers hands better than any other material I know. Cork stays warm in winter and cool in summer. Cork does not become clogged with dirt and slime as easy as duplon and is so easy to clean.
Cork must breath however and it is important to remove any plastic covering the handle may have before using the rod, or moisture will get up inside the handle and the cork will rot.
But who wants to have the cork covered with slippery plastic when you can handlethis wonderful sensuously beautiful natural material.
Appreciate and insist on the magic of cork.