Casting for Carrots: Can a Lowly Root Vegetable Really Replace Carbon Fiber?
By Tom Chandler on Feb 8, 2007 in News
Via the FlyFishMagazine blog comes news of a new “wonder” material that might well replace carbon fiber in fishing rods. What is this new, high-tech substance?
Boron? Silicon? Unobtanium?
Ladies and gentlemen, meet the carrot.
According to this unlikely sounding, carrot-biased story on The Herald site, a pair of Scottish scientists have developed a material from the lowly (and often orange) carrot that could replace carbon fiber - and do it on a far more environmentally friendly basis.
As vegetables go, it is probably one of the world’s most unassuming. But the humble carrot could be set to revolutionise the world of manufacturing thanks to the skills of two Scots-based scientists.
Yesterday they unveiled an environmentally friendly material made from the vegetable, which could become one of the biggest innovations since the invention of carbon fibre, more than 30 years ago.
Marketed under the trade name CurranTM, the product has been designed to replace carbon and glass fibre, in everything from fishing rods to car parts.
Yup. And monkeys are going to fly out my butt.
Still, let’s play along with this hallucinating reporter for a moment, and wonder what streamside conversation might sound like in the post-graphite era:
Angler #1: “My, you’ve got a nice Imperator there, though I myself prefer the Danvers-based models.”
Angler #2″ “Danvers?! You stupid sod, everyone knows Nantes carrots make the best fly rods. You clearly wouldn’t know your ass from a Chantenay.”
And you thought the bamboo vs graphite wars were amusing. I myself can’t wait.
Based on the Herald story, I won’t have to wait long:
Through their company CelluComp Ltd, launched three years ago, the duo will initially enter the sporting goods market with the launch of a fishing rods range next month.
Dr Whale said: “We opted for the sporting goods market as it is more receptive to new materials.
Little Known Carrot-Related Facts:
- The world’s largest carrot weighed 18.99 pounds and was grown in Alaska by John Evans in 1998
- The world’s largest carrot statue is located in Ohakune, New Zealand.
Once again, the Underground digs deep into the day’s news to bring you the trivial facts hidden behind the unimportant facts.
The Underground News: We report. You stare slack-jawed in wonder.
Technorati Tags: fly fishing, fly rod, carrot, currantm, cellucomp, flyfishmagazine
Jim Webb | Feb 8, 2007 | Reply
Nope; I think not. I guess I’m just too old fashioned. Bamboo and graphite (or boron, or whatever it is) are just fine with me. No carrot rod just yet, but maybe I’ll change my mind. Hell, I’ve even grown to like some rap music; this from an old, old Dead Head, proving that an old dog can be taught new tricks, just not very easily.
Clay | Feb 9, 2007 | Reply
Wow…We have truly entered the Vegitable age. first Vodka from a potato, then fuel from corn now fly rods from carrots? Next thing you know we will be using them for food! Viva la farmer.
Murdock | Feb 9, 2007 | Reply
I am already planning my new DVD series about the making and fishing of carrot rods. I am going to call it “Trout Root.”
Tom Chandler | Feb 9, 2007 | Reply
Excellent. Vegetable-related humor always kills on Fridays. It slays ‘em.
I’m already saving for a new rod; the Beta-Carotene 2000 ZX. You bastards are going to be so jealous…
kbarton10 | Feb 9, 2007 | Reply
I have one already. There is a forthcoming article in Fly Fisherman that will outline how to steam the rod to soften the action.
The angler merely has to apply steam from a teakettle or car radiator to the rod tip to customize the flex to resistance ratio.
…and yes, for the bamboo fiend, simply soak the critter overnight.
Steve | Feb 9, 2007 | Reply
I want one. I know it will cure all my casting ills.
It will be the only possible way to acheive that all important next step on the journey to fishing zen.
Tom Chandler | Feb 9, 2007 | Reply
Certainly, a fly rod like this would lend a new dimension to backcountry fly fishing and survival.
Lost? Eat your rod.
Of course, as a certifiable marketing genius, I can already see the other advertising possibilities, starting with the vegetarian fly fisher niche.
Sage won’t see the vegan steamroller coming until they’re already under the (potato-based) wheels.
Jim Webb | Feb 9, 2007 | Reply
Teach a man to eat his rod and you’ve fed him for a day; teach him to plant the rod, and raise a whole garden of rods, and you’ve helped him for life, or something like that.
Gerry Chandler | Feb 9, 2007 | Reply
See the fish better with a carrot composite rod?
According to the Cellucomp LTD website:“Rods made using the Curran damp twice as rapidly as an equivalent carbon rod, whole retaining the same rapid recovery as the carbon rod.” If it is that good why don’t they make airplanes from the stuff?
Cellucomp has two British patents pending, but none for the US. Also their carrot rod trade mark ‘Just Cast’ does not show up in a US trademark search. (note to Tom: Ask for a free sample.)
The idea of using a carrot based lure for a fly fishing cannot be patented because of prior art by Clement Hurd, I believe it is on page 8 of the bestseller ‘The Runaway Bunny”.
I’m personally working on the diamond coated dry fly. Will always float because it is strongly hydrophobic and your wife will want to borrow it for the formal night out.
Little Known Carrot-Related Facts:
* Orange roots, containing the pigment carotene, were not noted until the 17th century in Holland. The noble carrot has long been known as an orange vegetable in the United states thanks to patriotic Dutch growers who bred the vegetable to grow in the colors of the House of Orange.
Tom Chandler | Feb 9, 2007 | Reply
Wow. Two family members in one thread - an Underground first. At least now everybody knows why I’m so weird.
Great “free gear” idea. Why didn’t I think of that?
Scott | Feb 9, 2007 | Reply
Sorry, not an Underground first. I made a wise-ass crack many weeks about float tubes and how the lightest one you could get for backpacking was from Toys R Us and it has SpongeBob Squarepants on it. How quick we forget.
Now THIS is an Underground first — THREE family members in one thread.. And we’re not weird — we’re “creatively” insane, there’s a difference…
Mike Chiechi | Feb 15, 2007 | Reply
“I’m already saving for a new rod; the Beta-Carotene 2000 ZX. You bastards are going to be so jealous.”
I already am!! Thats an AMAZING rod. Pricey, but amazing