Centre-axis setup

[Gerard]

I’m posting some pics on behalf of Stephen Boshoff.

[gusstrand]

Thanks Gerard...

Stephen also sent me this text:

A few years ago I sent Adam a few photos of a "palm-style" small stream rod grip with a shelf of cork extending over the reel spacer; moving the hand partly over the reel for comfort and balance.

For interest, here are some new experiments (sorry about iPhone quality): a minimalist grip with small tap washers providing a "base" for attaching the reel with small cable ties and a "center-axis" design with integrated reel (in wood). The photo of the center-axis showing a cork grip is superimposed over another rod - just to give an idea at this stage.

Stephen

[Gerard]

Some more pics from Stephen…

Original palm-style grip (photographs by Peter Brigg)



Tap-washer and cable tie grip

[adam]

From: Stephen Boshoff
Sent: Sep 9, 2004 7:30 AM
To: adam
Subject: 0-weight grip design

Hi Adam - hope this is your e-mail address. I am a small stream man from Cape Town, South Africa. I fish with Ed Herbst, Tom Sutcliffe and a few others in our mountain freestone streams and build a rod now and again when I have the time. Earlier today I e-mailed Gerard about the 00-weight; asking whether he knows anything about it. Ed is distressed - he just bought a new SLT 0-weight blank when I broke the news on what is shown on flyanglersonline.

To cut a long story short, Gerard referred me to the 00-weight thread on smallstreams.com; from where I found your zero-weight thread. That brings me to the real purpose of the mail: I attach two photos of a 0-weight grip I built for Ed before. It is based on Borger's ideas in Presentation, moving the hand over the reel as far as possible. It works, is comfortable and effectively increases useable rod length. It works best for those of us who casts with the "finger on top". Very, very painstaking to make, but it works. If you are interested, I'll sketch the steps for making it and send that to you.

Best regards,

Stephen Boshoff

This is the e-mail, I'm hoping Stephen contacts me, I have some ideas for him.

Below is two images that are the earliest center-axis project that I can find. Notice the lack of a winding handle, you stuck a finger in the hole. Photographer unknown.

I enjoy your enthusiasm Stephen.

[adam]

Thanks Adam

I have been looking for these original photographs for years. Where did you find them?

This is the response I got from Danielsson:

Hi

Kurt Danielsson designed this "center-axis" rod/reel in the early or mid eighties. It was based on a model 2 reel. The idea of this project was to make a kit with a reel and a rod in a small box, just to open and use. The solution with the "center axis" reel seat made it possible to have the reel assembled with the rod with a height, not higher than the outer diameter of the reel frame. Together with a rod made in many parts it can be placed in a small box. This kits was made in a very limted series ( I belive not more than five) and the box was made of a modified violin case.
At this time, or just after, Danielsson Innovation AB had a cooperation with Sage and delivered reels labelled Sage. Kurt has told me that he taked some polaroid photos of this kit and sended to Sage. I belive that they had this in mind when they made their version of this idea, later.

Best regards
Gunnar Persson, Danielsson Innovation AB

I'll appreciate your ideas ... stephen@oda.co.za

What about an "ultimate smallstream" rod competition/ ideas exchange ... similar to your writing competition?

All the best
Stephen

[cfr]

Hi guys

Stephen finished this project a while ago - I'll ask him (or Ed) to mail me some pics on the completed piece. I have some somewhere, but they are not that great.

[adam]

Mario,

I am impressed by Stephen's work.

If one is available, I am interested to use for my own self.

Please keep us updated.

adam

[cfr]

If one is available, I am interested to use for my own self.

Please keep us updated.

I doubt that any of his rods and designs are available as much as being ready for creation ;) Steve does the build per request thing, and let me tell you, it is WELL worth the request!!!!

Let me resize some pics and post - completely forgot!!

[cfr]

Here are a few pics from master builder Stephen Boshoff! Keep in mind, all is done by hand!!!! Steve is a real master, and his innovations are simply staggering!!