OK, I admit to being somewhat old school but I think I'm right on when I tell you that selecting fly fishing equipment now requires a degree in mechanical engineering. Allow me to use an example from a recent fly fishing catalog. This is the description for a fly reel.
"A fusion between the free-form structures of a cast spool and the mechanical integrity of a CNC-machined case, [our reel] is a hybrid.
The case, CNC-machined here in the U.S. from 6061 bar-stock aluminum, delivers maximum structural rigidity and durability all wrapped in a harder, brighter finish. The spool, pressure cast with radiused compound curves, near zero-radius inside corners and a precise fit and finish, delivers both value and sex appeal."
What? Huh? Come again? I could kind of understand what they meant when they described "A fusion between the free-form structures of a cast spool and the mechanical Integrity ...." but then they lost me. Actually, I was not aware that a cast metal fly reel spool was considered a free-form structure. I thought they pretty much needed to be round(ish). Mechanical integrity I understand. That means it works right and probably won't fall apart in midstream when you're fighting a large fish (not that I know how that feels).
I have no clue what a "CNC machined case" is, so I Googled it. Turns out that CNC means Computerized Numerical Controlled. A computer program operates the cutting machine that makes the reel body. That used to be done by a human operating a lathe (manual), or by inserting a disk or tape into the machine (numerical control).
Next, I had to find out if 6061 bar-stock aluminum was the best material for a fly reel. I found out that 6061 aluminum is commonly used to make aircraft wings. Not the strong, durable wings on military or commercial aircraft, just the less strong, less durable wings on personal aircraft. On the other hand, 6061 does not corrode, even if the finished is nicked, so I guess that's best for a fly reel like mine that spends a significant amount of time under water.
Do you know what a radiused compound curve and a zero-radius inside corner are? Turns out its a fancy way of telling you that there are different sizes of curved parts in their fly reel. Since every curve is part of a circle, every curve has a radius, so using radius to imply action makes a lot of sense if you can get another $100 for it. As for the zero-radius inside corner, that means there is no curve where the parts of the reel body make a 90-degree angle. Good thing or the spool would not fit on the reel body.
Finally, the ad says all these features add value and ... sex appeal. Trust me. After standing in a cold stream at midnight waiting for the Hex hatch for the sixth night in a row, wearing a pair of waders over the same clothes worn five days in a row, a fellow needs a little sex appeal. In fact, the reel would be the ONLY thing in camp with any sex appeal. Even so, in the last 55 years of fishing, I've never been accosted by any females, much less females trying to snuggle up with my reel.
So here I am enrolling in a college program for mechanical engineering so that, when I graduate in four years, I can make an intelligent, educated choice for the device I use to hold my excess fly line.
Royal Dun
No comments:
Post a Comment