Trout in reservoirs

The main problem for tank fly fishermen is undoubtedly distance. A little too much, in fact. There is often great fishing to be had by being very mobile, discreet and attentive to the edges, rather than stubbornly pounding a single distant spot where Trout are marauding with their mouths closed by the barrage they are the target of. But if we associate reservoir and Distance fishing, there's a good reason: in most cases, fish are subjected to fairly constant fishing pressure on the banks. They quickly learn to distrust it, and seem to take a vicious pleasure in gobbling three meters further than your best cast... Anyone who has experienced this kind of frustration has felt the imperative need to lengthen the shot. A reservoir rod must above all meet this need.

Much has been written about the question of what is the optimum rod for long-distance fishing. The least debatable point, by far, is that the only way to fish well beyond 20m is to train hard. Distance is first and foremost a matter of perfecting the gesture. This doesn't mean, however, that all rods allow you to go far with the same ease. In general, there are two important parameters: length and power. As far as length is concerned, most specialist anglers prefer rods around 3m (10'). The price of length is loss of manoeuvrability and fatigue. A light, responsive blank is preferable to limit these effects. The main advantage of a long rod is that it allows you to lengthen your shot quite easily, even when you don't master the double Drift and lift. Another strong point: the length helps to manage a leader with several flies, the first of which will block in the head Guide. Last but not least, a long rod makes it easier to hold the silk in the air, which is important on crowded banks and when fishing from a boat.
In terms of power, we prefer to use a number 6 to 8 silk. These silks, relatively heavy for Trout, make it easier to reach long distances, and to get through the wind which is often present on a stretch of water.

The ideal rod is therefore a good caster, capable of holding a good length of these silks in the air. Combining lightness and power with good line control, these blanks are necessarily highly technical instruments. Indeed, length tends to amplify design flaws and is unforgiving of mediocrity. The three blanks we have chosen belong to the same family: NFC FAF. Designed by Al Jackson, a true blank design prodigy and worthy heir to Gary Lommis at North Fork, they share a fairly light feel in the hand, but above all an incredible directionality that gives the angler excellent control of the tip and therefore of the Silk. These Blanks are truly designed for casting, and casting far. They also benefit from a characteristic that is the NFC signature throughout its range: a large reserve of power into which one enters without ever encountering a hard spot. This particular roundness is a major asset in combat, where the smooth, predictable build-up of power gives you excellent control over the fish.

1. NFC FAF1004-4 For light fishing. An exceptionally versatile blank. Very light in the hand for a 10', with the line control that is the signature of NFC's FAF series, the 1004 is the right solution whenever discretion and finesse are required. Very comfortable with silks ranging from a floating DT4 to a slightly heavy Silk 5, its optimum range in our opinion lies between an intermediate to S3 Silk 4 and a floating Silk 5. Its great manoeuvrability also makes it a blank well-suited to edge fishing, and if you have to leave the reservoir, it will be perfectly suited to Tightline nymphing and crossbow fishing. Last but not least, despite its light weight, the 1004 remains a blank capable of impressive distance performance. A reasonably competent caster will have no problem backing a 27m Silk, provided wind conditions are not adverse.
2. NFC FAF1007-4 the reference! The first thing that strikes you when you pick up the 1007 is how light it feels in the hand on a blank that's advertised as being quite powerful. When fishing, this impression is confirmed. While the butt is more than powerful enough to cope with the biggest Trouts, and to cast a wf7 with ease, it doesn't feel like you're fishing with a heavy rod. When fishing with a single rod, you can still perfectly tackle delicate fish with the 1007, which easily takes a 5 or 6 Silk line if the conditions call for it. And if you need to lengthen the shot with a 7' line, the precision of control and the lightness of the overall package make for a very effective whip well beyond the backing of a standard 90' line.
3. NFC FAF1008-4 a monster of power. When conditions call for extremely long casts, or the use of heavy lines to get through the wind or fish very deep, this is the time to choose the 1008. This blank is extremely powerful, far more so than its little brother the 1007. This is the blank to choose when you really want to reach maximum distances, whether by choosing heavy Silks or (for seasoned casters) by adopting a really powerful whip. It's at ease with a wf8 whatever its density, and wouldn't fear a wf9 if it had to propel a bulky streamer long distances into the wind. Needless to say, the power reserve is commensurate, and this blank will easily control any salmonid, apart from the big Atlantic salmon - and even then...