[Terry Coging]

OK you can adjust your reel for LH or RH use. What about having a rod built with guides that favours a LH or RH user?
Please visit me at the BFFI show where I can show you  LH and RH guides fitted on my new wafting rod  . 
ps - they are not snakes.

[Hamish Young]

I am curious Terry, I can see the potential in the concept - but if I am right handed and casting a single handed rod over my left shoulder would guides configured for a right handed caster not be compromised somehow

[Terry Coging]

The guides that I make are only fitted to the rod section that is added to convert a 12' light switch rod into a 14'6"wafter.
This section can be added when the switch rod is set up without having to re ring the line.
When the rod is held in the right hand the line is looped through the guides with the left hand. Likewise, a left hand held rod will have the line looped with the right hand.
These guides are single leg and because they may get pulled around a bit, the seat has to be longer and wider than normal. Stainless steel spring wire is not good for cold swaging so I have to forge the seating and file to shape. I've made simple jigs to shape 3 sizes so far. Time consuming to make but fortunately there are only two fitted per rod.
Seriously - this RH, LH stuff is a bit gimmicky, however, extending the rod to enhance the action of the top dropper is definitely not.
I'll take some pics tomorrow.

[Terry Coging]

Here is a Waft 'opennguide'. Intended for when a rod section is added to make the rod longer, without the need to re-ring the line.
This one is for those who hold the rod in the right hand and makes looping the line through the guide come naturally.

[Terry Coging]

Here is the new Waft Loch System comprising a 12' 4pc #4 switch and the extension to convert to a wafting rod - or for dapping.

[James Laraway]

Looks lovely Terry.....

[Steven Sinclair]

Whilst you have very much piqued my interest with your "wafting" technique I'm curious about those rod rings.

Just from looking at your picture it would appear that there's a good chance for the line to work its way out of a loop when in use? Perhaps I'm looking at the picture wrong but the idea of playing a good fish and the line popping out and wrapping itself round an eye doesn't sound like a terribly appealing situation 🤔

Cheers,

Steven.

[Terry Coging]

That was my first worry Steven but I can assure you that is not the case.
Nothing is impossible of course but I've tried to get the line trapped without success.
Of course these 'openguides' are on the section above the handle and there is a proper lined stripper guide on the handle section.
I would agree with you if it was used as a stripper guide. A  US manufacturer uses a different design as a stripper guide but I dismissed the idea for the reason you mentioned.

[Steven Sinclair]

Cool! In which case I can see a few scenarios where a rod lole your describing could come in handy for me 👍

From the rod your describing it could actually come in handy for some of my more "darkside" seatrouting. I could see the use for a switch rod that I could then extend and use for dropping worms into wee pots and runs at range in low water 

Cheers,

Steven.

[Terry Coging]

Plenty of visitors at the BFFI show tried looping the Waft 'openguide' yesterday and brought a smile to a few faces.
Not a single mention about the risk of getting a tangle.

[Mike Barrio]

There you go Terry 

[Terry Coging]

Who is that ugly old guy standing in front of my banner?
Had a great day today. Post a pic of the Mayfly contest winner when I get it.  A few less entries but of a higher quality than last year.

[James Laraway]

It's a great ruse to get a few new flies Terry 

[Terry Coging]

It's a great ruse to get a few new flies Terry 

Absolutely James  However they did cost me £100!
It's such an interesting way to learn - to see how different folk see things . Most entries were by pro tyers. Every entry out of 19 was of a high standard
I will enjoy fishing and testing with all but the first three, which will be kept for prosperity. Pics tomorrow.

[Terry Coging]

Today I tested a concept rod for light Loch fishing. It's 9'2" 3pc #4 with and additional 2' section to make 11'2".
Best line was a #4 Smallstream. Sweet and effortless. Just 20 seconds to add the extension, made possible with 2 x 'openguides', (now a Waft Ltd reg design).
It worked out that I have a reasonably fast, dry fly or light pulling rod that can be converted to a drifter - to work that top dropper more effectively.
Only 5 weeks before it is tried on a proper wild loch 

[Eddie Sinclair]

Terry,

It will be interesting to see how this works out. An 11 foot plus 4 weight sounds great for a loch style boat rod to me.

Cheers,

Eddie

[Hamish Young]

Agreed, will be interesting to see how this one pans out Terry - tight lines to you 

[Terry Coging]

Thanks Eddie and H.
I've always disliked having two rods in a boat especially when your partner has two set ups as well. Bloody nuisance! That was one of the reasons I developed the 15' wafter to give options to dapping.
The concept of changing rod lengths in less time than it takes to change a fly should open up some interesting situations.
The first question I asked myself was 'how will the same line behave on a 9' and 11' - not just the line weight but also the profile? Also, how will the leader and fly set up be configured to work with both rod lengths? I have already been playing with line and leader combinations with the 'Loch system' rod which alternates between a 12' switch and a 14'6" wafter. It is all quite interesting stuff and adds another dimension to a day on the boat 
During our fishing lives we spend thousands of hours seeking the perfect flies, when often it is the technique and presentation that needs changing.
 

[James Laraway]

now that i would be interested to see......