As every fly fisherperson knows, the fly rod is at the core of the fly fishing experience, which is why the Underground has stared at this Buff gear ad from the Drake for upwards of four hours, all so we can ask you this thoughtful, penetrating, journalistically derived question:
Is that a hexagonal grip on that fly rod?
Look closely at the grips on that one.
There’s no need to explicitly thank us for the time we invest keeping you up to speed on the latest gear trends.
It’s just one of the many sacrifices we make for our readership who doesn’t send checks nearly as often as they should, and we’re happy to do it.
See you in the buff, Tom Chandler.
UPDATE: Singlebarbed – as if reading my mind (or exhibiting other power of precognition) – takes issue with our ongoing attempts to keep readers enlightened about the latest gear trends (the nerve).
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m pretty sure there’s still room for my head in that Buff.
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What buff? Do you think those grips are cork, or a synthetic substitute?
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Yep, it’s a hexagonal grip. Hot stuff no doubt.
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Oh, it’s an “X-grip.” You see, that makes it extreme.
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Ok then, since it’s an extreme grip, will the owner/user have to use the words “dude” and “bro” in the same sentence? Can’t see how it could be otherwise.
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Gentleman- don’t you think the belly button piercing would make dandy bead head nymph…I’m sorry, did I just say “nymph”.
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I will say that Buff is the clear leader in the Underground’s Annual Industry Advertising Awards in the hotly contested “Best Use of Outdoor Clothing in a Way Its Original Makers Never Intended” category.
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Fly rod? What fly rod?
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Excellent article on grip technique, Tom.
I really appreciate the hard work you put in for all us of.
Can we have one about waders, please?
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It is a loop rod. The grip i hexagonal and made of some mixture of rubber and cork i believe. Anyway – the grip is only available on saltwater rods. It works great. The friction is much higher than with conventional handles so it is possible to have a more relaxed grip of the rod when casting. Feels great when casting heavy lines, flies and battling wind a whole day. I do find the name x-grip silly though….
Thomas G
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NICE!
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Definitely a hexagonal grip. A question for the person who commented on the beadhead nymph. Which bead?
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Thomas, it’s my sad duty to inform you that you’ve failed the Underground’s Fly Rod Grip System Geek Test. On Monday, you must surrender yourself to the Marchese Institute for a round of fly-fishing-related, soft-core-porn sensitivity training.
Don had the correct response with “What Rod?”
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Haha… this is why I like your blog because I was thinking the same thing.
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TN Lee, it’s my sad duty to inform you that you’ve failed the Underground’s Fawning Sycophant Test. On Monday, you must surrender yourself to the Underground’s
mind controlGoodspeak Retraining Center, where you’ll learn to say things like “I like your blog becauseI was thinking the same thingits owner is perceptive, a brilliant writer, passable photographer, and perhaps the smartest, bestest blogger on the Internet.”Starting time is 9:00.
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Hey, I KNOW there’s a rod in there.
But, who cares?
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