Again, SKYwater’s commitment to performance is evident in the willingness to depart from tradition. Examine the following sections for an understanding of the application of the solutions:►

Spinning Rods - In all spinning applications, the single, most performance robbing detriment is line slap, caused by line striking the blank before the first guide as it spirals off the reel. Contrary to popular traditional belief, the solution is to gather the line and convert the spiral into a straight flow rapidly. This is accomplished with a high frame, smaller ring guide, placed the correct distance from the reel, followed by rapidly decreasing size rings which sit closer to the blank. Proximity to the blank provides enhanced sensitivity, reduced line leverage, and greater control. Distance is increased, NOT reduced! Wherever possible, single foot guides are used to reduce weight and artificial stiffening.

FLY RODS - Of all designs, fly rods are the most bound by tradition regarding guides and can be enhanced most easily utilizing new, non-traditional guide types. Chrome snake guides are simply obsolete and SKYwater emphatically recommends other choices! Fly rods suffer the same performance robbing consequences of line slap as spinning rods, so the solution is to move the line away from the blank, eliminating contact as much as possible. Snake guides keep the line in contact with the

blank and stiffen it artificially. In freshwater fly rods, SKYwater strongly endorses Hopkins & Holloway single foot, high frame wire guides, especially in the DLC (Diamond-like Carbide) black finish, slicker than any other to date and lighter than snakes. For saltwater applications, single foot, SiC high frame fly guides offer the same advantages in heavy duty use. The single, short foot of both guides reduces artificial stiffening by 2/3 and the higher frame eliminates line/blank contact so that casting is virtually silent with a significant increase in distance and control. A surprising benefit appreciated by skilled casters is the heightened feedback to the line hand due to reduced drag between line, guides, and blank, allowing improved timing of cast mechanics. Some manufacturers have begun to use single foot fly guides but the ring sits on the blank and does not eliminate line slap nor drag. Along with guide enhancements, SKYwater can make modifications to reel seats, grips, and blanks to produce fly rods which will outperform any on the market, with greater cosmetic appeal.

CASTING RODS - Given the right blank and best guides for the application, the most critical aspect in a high performance-casting rod is comfort. SKYwater painstakingly works with anglers to perfectly fit the hand, casting, retrieval, and fighting mechanics. Grip shaping, dimensions, and placement are standard considerations. The human hand is not flat; therefore, grips should not have straight surfaces. SKYwater creates contours so the hands can naturally and securely manipulate the rod. Blanks can be shortened, or lengthened/stiffened with inserts or sleeves bonded to the blank to accommodate specific requirements.

SALTWATER RODS - Many of the same performance enhancement principles found in Vector Compensated and freshwater rods are applicable to SKYwater saltwater rods, our specialty. Given the myriad of saltwater applications, selecting the exact blank to match is most critical, and SKYwater stocks hundreds of premium saltwater blanks. Blanks, reel seats, and grips are designed and modified to fit the angler’s physique, reach, and specific requirements. Utilizing various types of guides in a rod to achieve the blank’s maximum capabilities is standard departure from tradition where applicable. With angler input, considering every necessary aspect, SKYwater can design and build the perfect rod to fit any application, period.