Under the ‘Concept’ tab, I outlined thoughts surrounding the development of the Quantum series of Euro rods, notably with regard to heavy winter flows, big fish, heavy rigs and subtle bites. Combine that with further parameters of rod materials and components, rod length, swing weight and casting distance (as discussed in the blog entry on ‘Rod length, swing weight and casting distance’) and there was clearly an opportunity to push boundaries with Euro rods. With all these parameters in mind, I set about designing a rod that is simultaneously delicate and powerful. The Quantum Power 10'4" # 4 weight rod was the first rod to be developed through a number of prototypes.
CTS in New Zealand are known internationally for the supreme quality of their blanks. They offer a customised design service and were the obvious choice for manufacturing the blanks.
Each area of the rod is designed with a specific purpose in mind enabling the angler to make effortless controlled presentations. A multifunctional soft tip for detecting subtle bites, casting lighter to medium weighted flies from 3mm or 3.5mm tungsten bead while helping with tippet protection. The remainder of the tip section is designed to take the force of casting medium to heavily weighted flies and multi fly rigs from 4mm tungsten bead, with quick recovery and further help with tippet protection.
The second section is intended to give authority to the tip section and take the force of casting heavily weighted flies or split shot up to 1 gram or more with quick recovery. The third section is designed to give backbone and stability to the rod and to take the additional force of long casts with heavily weighted flies and to transition through to the butt section when playing fish. Finally, the butt section is designed to give power and control over strong fish in fast currents.
Lightweight and powerful, the Quantum Power 10’ 4” rod features high sensitivity, reactivity and perfect balance. To retain maximum lightness, REC Recoil guides are used to enhance rod action with increased tip speed and recovery. The guides have the ability to flex with the rod resulting in improved casting. Two REC Recoil snake guides are placed on the tip to reduce line wrap from mono leaders and the natural unsanded finish helps reduce Euro mono leaders clinging to the rod in wet conditions. A REC Cerecoil guide is placed 8 inches above the handle to increase line hand control, reduce line sag and reduce abrasion from mono leaders. At 8 inches, the flor grade cork handle is longer than other single handed fly rods to aid control. Finally, installing a downlocking reelseat to help swing weight and a fighting butt complete the design.
The Quantum Elite 10'4" # 3 weight rod is a lighter version designed for summer flows and lighter flies yet still with the power to handle large fish. This rod works well with Euro style micro leaders as well as tapered leaders. It can cast a single 3mm beaded fly up to 35 feet from the angler's position but can also handle heavy flies easily when required.
Overall, these rods perform at a high level under our demanding conditions in New Zealand.
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