Last year in March/April you replaced various handles on my rods. Thank you again for the great work. Clearly, each of the rods cast better with their grips.
Urs Leibundgut
August 1st, 2011: I received the following e-mail from my customer Urs Leibundgut, for whom I designed a cork handle according to his ideas and mounted it on his fly rod: Dear Rolf The week before last I was back in Ireland - and on a
Hardy
rod (Demon 10 feet, class 8) with your wonderful grip I was able to land the biggest salmon since 1968 on July 12th after a 25 minute fight with 93 cm length and 19 pounds and 7 ounces. I would be happy to send you the photo and add a few links that report on the catch:
I've already tried the rod a few times with the new ERGO-X1 handle .......... that's absolutely awesome. I will take the rod to Isny at the end of September ...... let's see if I can get a good photo. I'll be sending you another rod to convert soon if that's ok with you.
Kind regards Andy Bruhin
Plane Klaus, CH-Kippel
The rod arrived safely at its destination yesterday. It is in perfect condition and completely intact, so everything is ok. Of course, the rod had to be tried out immediately. To my astonishment, I got along well with the Ergo grip right away. I still have to get used to the fixed grip position, but I am sure that this will not be a problem. In any case, my first impression is very positive, and I also have to praise the excellent workmanship of the entire rod. I'll report back when I can really get started in the spring, until then I still have some time to familiarize myself with the rod.
Kind regards, and Pertriheil Klaus Ebener
Birrer Werner, CH-Sissach
I am very glad that I had your grip patent installed on my Sage fly rod. With my index finger on my right hand damaged from previous sporting activities, I no longer had any problems when fishing, even after several hours of fly fishing.
Yours sincerely Werner Birrer
Nehlsen Eckart, D-Hollenstedt
Thank you the CTR-RST M5 sle 9', #5/6 arrived safely and I think it's a dream! Tonight I made my first casts with a newly acquired HRH WF-5-F Orvis, the rod seemed a bit underwhelming to me, but it's a lot of fun. Will probably go fishing in Denmark at the weekend. Thank you again and best regards.
Eckhart Nehlsen
Lautenschlager Frederik, CH-Mönchaltorf
I have already been able to test the ergo grip that you fitted to my Orvis T3 rod a few weeks ago on various waters. Due to the optimal hand position, I was able to improve my throwing results. The very good workmanship also convinced me.
Greetings Fredrik Lautenschlager from Mönchaltorf
Leitenstorfer Helmut, D-Munich
Last Sunday I fished the Lech for the first time with the new rod. I am very happy with it when throwing. I missed the smooth grip of a normal fly rod when playing the fish. It takes some getting used to, you won't find a smooth surface to support yourself. Good job nonetheless.
Kind regards, Helmut Leitenstorfer
Kopp Wolfgang, D-Munich
I wouldn't trade the CTR rod for anyone else, I've now been able to test it extensively in Ireland on Brown trout and after I've found the right line (ORVIS HRH WF 5 +5 F) this is my dream rod.. .....and I hope that I will enjoy it for a long time... I sent you a picture as promised.... Greetings from Munich Wolfgang
Pircher Robert, CH-Safenwil
I built a rod with your grip a few months ago. In the meantime I have tested the rod and grip in Sweden in September and a few times here with us. I congratulate you on your excellent idea. With this handle it is fun to fish even when there is not much going on in the water.
Device test Flyfisher-forum.de
Conclusion : With this rod series, an outstanding idea has been implemented in the best possible way using excellent components and impeccable workmanship. The CTR fly rods are really worth getting a lot of new followers. Just try it!
Link to the equipment test of the independent fly fishing internet magazine: "Fliegefischer-Forum"
In the waters of New Zealand
Ergonomic Impressions
By Stephan Janischewski
If you put a fly somewhere on the water with a CTR fly rod, then you can be sure that a few more interested parties will soon appear who are also very interested and, like me, initially skeptical about this rod with its special ergonomic handle.
I've been fly fishing for about two and a half years and I'm very open to innovation. So I was particularly interested in fishing with a rod from CTR. (I had already read about this rod with the special ergonomic handle in the fly fishing forum. Here the rod already received a very good test result.)
I asked CTR to lend me one of their rods for my four week trip to New Zealand. The main thing for me was to determine whether the ergonomic handle would have a positive effect on my throwing behavior.
When I picked up the rod for the first time, I was looking for the right grip position. Every finger and even the thumb has its fixed position, which is determined by the ergonomic shape. I quickly had the feeling of being fixed. This fixed position takes some getting used to and allows the hand little freedom of movement, but brings the greatest possible benefit.
The cork of the handle is stronger in some places than conventional handles due to its ergonomic shape. You quickly tend to hold the handle tighter in your hand, which can affect the muscles of your hand if you use it for a long time, and it could cramp. It is important to hold the handle loosely in your hand despite the ergonomic design and, if possible, not to wear any rings that could put pressure on your bones or muscles.
The advantage of this rod, however, quickly becomes apparent. In order to achieve 100 percent power conversion of a rod, 100 percent rod guidance and rod holding are required. This is where the special ergonomic handle comes into play. The hand is held in the correct position throughout the entire casting process thanks to the ergonomic guidance of the handle and thus supports the rod guidance and the associated casting results.
So I was able to improve my throwing results in 4 weeks and have increased my throwing distance by 8 m and more precision at a distance.
Everyone knows how difficult it is initially to guide a rod correctly, let alone achieve any casting distance or even place the fly exactly.
I was amazed at the positive effect the handle had on a beginner to whom I lent the rod for two days. He bought his first fly rod a day ago and of course had a hard time casting. So I guided him and the rod from CTR helped him to adopt the correct casting position in a short time and to achieve amazing results in terms of dynamics after just one day. Already on the second day he had a wonderful coordination of throws, which is guaranteed to serve as a basis for his further throwing.
There are certainly also people who learned how to cast incorrectly from the start and can no longer correct the mistakes made when guiding the rod. No one should be surprised if they don't achieve the desired throw distances and despair or give up.
I don't think it has to be, because this is exactly where the ergonomics of the CTR grip come into play. Yes, and if you would like to look at some more photos of my CTR experiences in New Zealand, you are cordially invited to do so.