Plastic, really?

[rayfound]

I am always bothered by the, seemingly increasing, use of the term "Plastic" rods.

I am bothered, #1 because it imparts a connotation (I feel intentionally), that denotes the Graphite/fiberglass rods as cheap, commodity-type products, and completely ignores the cost of R&D, tooling, etc... that goes into the manufacture of the blanks. I'm not arguing here that Glass/Graphite rods are better or worse than Bamboo/Wood, but I think its a bit unfair.

#2, I am bothered because its misleading. Fiberglass and graphite are not plastic, and while, in the strictest sense of the word, a polyester resin, could be considered plastic, this is a distinct material from plastics, as they are commonly known.


I just don't understand the reasoning behind why the term is used. seems like the only purpose is for implying an inferiority vs more "traditional" or "craftsman" style rods.

Am I missing something here?... Or is this just subtle elitism?

[mikeytwoshoes]

no. yer right.

[palewatery]

I tend to agree with you and hinted at the same thing in the Matrix poll.
Folk can use whatever terms they like and I don't judge anybody on it.. but yeah! It does kinda bug me a little.

[wrknapp]

"Carbon" and "glass" or "carbon fiber" and "glass fiber" rods sound better but I have never felt demeaned by any description. You could call them all poles including grass/bamboo/cane poles as far as I'm concerned. End the end, they're just tools we use to get a "wiggle."

Randy

[Danny S]

I think the term "plastic" may have been a way for those dedicated to bamboo only to describe all rods made from man-made material. I fish both graphite and bamboo, depending on which I feel like using.

Could it be subtle elitism? I don't think it always is now--but likely originated that way. Not much different than some fly fishers using certain terms to refer to non-fly fishers or others' reference to "Orvis Hatches." Not sure why anyone should care about equipment used, or what label is on waders, boots, rods, etc.

[mikeytwoshoes]

You could call them all poles including grass/bamboo/cane poles as far as I'm concerned.

you are absolutely right. they are all fishing poles when you get right down to it.

[erics beetle]

People can be incredibly touchy about such things , and I do agree saying something is plasticy definately has a conotation that its crap.. I fish carbon rods now I think they are wonderful I am old enough to remember cane , greenheart and fibreglass and remember the blisters,

However calling a rod a pole or whatever is fine by me. As long as people enjoy their fishing and dont impact on others its fine.

There are benefits to be had from this type of thing though some years ago my fellow directors were desperate for me to become a golfer much against my will , but to the extent they bought me clubs and lessons however after arriving at their clubhouse with my new clubs complete with my new walt disney club head covers ,I beleive the 3 wood cover was a bright yellow daffy duck which I thought very colourful. and by referring to my clubs as bats ( they really hated that) and generally been as loud as possible around the greens I found that golf invites became a thing of the past. I think on hindsight if I had referred to their club shafts as been plastic I think they would have buried me in a bunker...

[Ernest]

I am guilty of using the word “plastic” from time to time to describe certain rods. Maybe I shouldn’t. I own a half dozen of them, and they perform for me as advertised.

I remember early graphite marketers calling bamboo and fiberglass rods all sorts of disparaging old fashioned names, and maybe “plastic” is a response. It’s like when two of your kids are fighting, and you step in and ask what’s happened, and one says “He hit me back first!”

It’s been noted elsewhere that graphite, glass, and bamboo may all be made into fine rods, and it all depends on what you do with the material. I like that.

I grew up very poor. I learned to value what people could do for themselves, rather than buy new all the time. I value a serviceable homemade rod, or one made from scratch by a friend over a flashy high end, high dollar rod. It’s easier to make a rod blank yourself out of the “old fashioned” materials than from graphite. As long as the homemade rod can make the casts (some can, and some can’t), I’ll value that over manufactured “plastic (there I go again)” rods.

[troutrageous1]

I don't mind people referring to my rods as plastic...I mean afterall this IS what I fish with:


Kidding aside, the term "plastic" probably does ignore or cheapen the technology in many of these rods. Are they painstakingly labored upon for days (if not months) by hand like a bamboo counterpart? No...but there's still a human element involved in the extensive R&D that goes into the creation of a good "plastic" rod.

As an owner of all flavors of graphite rods, the use of "plastic" doesn't personally bother me...it's just another example of how it seems fly fishermen tend to be a more insular and exclusionary group than most, even amongst themselves. That's actually why I like this forum, it generally does a better than most job of cutting BS like that out of the equation. If somebody says "plastic" on smallstreams I perceive it more as an simple adjective rather than a slur. I haven't been here long, but have noticed this tends to be a supportive & inclusive community.

[Zac Sexton]

As an owner of all flavors of graphite rods, the use of "plastic" doesn't personally bother me...it's just another example of how it seems fly fishermen tend to be a more insular and exclusionary group than most, even amongst themselves.

Well said! But, I have to admit, that I kinda like the name-calling and exclusionary tactics of we, the elitist fly-chuckers. :bigthumb: Mostly, because I think it's funny. And I think it's funny, b/c I'm a bit of an elitist, but only because I think the way I FISH, is the best FOR ME. I don't really care what others do, but if you find yourself on a stream with me, and happen to have a "plastic" rod, I'll say something smart-ass about it--then laugh. And I'll especially say something if I AM FISHING A PLASTIC ROD!!! :eh: Everyone has thier "THING" that they love about fly fishing. So why not make fun of them for it? ;)

A very good friend of mine used to guide on the Snake. And having guided on the Snake, she gets to run in to all sorts of "snits" from the Jackson Hole elitists. She loves to call fly-rods, "poles," then explain to clients you have to be very quiet to catch fish, then scream "HERE FISHY FISHY FISHY!!!" The reactions she's gotten are pretty damn funny.

If it hasn't been done, there really needs to be an anthropological study done on how people fish, and what type of personality they have. It may be the case, that the 7'6" Powell-rod-toting, dry-fly purist, scotch-drinking-pipe-smoker, has a slightly different take on life than the Eagle Claw (fly) rod-chucking, San Juan Worm-drowning, Hams Beer-drinking, funny-cigarette-smoker. It'd be interesting to fish with 'em both. And I have!


Sometimes they come with graphite...


And sometimes they come with cane...