Hello All.

I'm in the final year of a Product Design Degree and currently working on my final major project.

My product will be aimed at the fly fishing market and I thought where better to get opinions than on this forum.

I'm proposing to design and manufacture some sort of new and innovative handle for the fly fishing rod. This will be a handle that can be re-shaped according to the user's preference with the hope of more comfort and usability. This could also lead to an interchangeable handle where the user can switch to different handle types/designs.

I'm after some opinions from fellow anglers with regard to the above proposal as part of my initial research. I am open to opinions good or bad and any response will be of great assistance.

Many Thanks in advance

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Jonathan

I teach A level product design and suggest you find a different user need. Can't see very much mileage in a polymorph rod handle.
Maybe something to help with rod storage and transport. A system to use with a car or bicycle. .. Or both???

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"It is not how abundant nor how considerable our catch be, but rather to the sport, and manner in which our quarry, the noble trout is angled."
http://geordietrout.blogspot.com/

Sounds like an interesting project Jonathan. A few ideas come to mind.

General market handle that could be changed between half, reverse half wells and full wells depending on the users preference.
A skin to fit over an existing handle, possible to improve grip or comfort? It would have to be very thin and durable.
Material selection will be important, extra weight will not be very popular!
Niche markets such as beginners or users with disabilities.
I seem to remember a manufacturer that had a very different handle design. Could have been Vision?

I suppose a key factor will be if you are required to develop a product to fulfill an actual market requirement or whether your project has more bias to pushing the boundaries. To be honest I wouldn't buy one as it would over complicate things. It's already difficult enough to choose which rod and line to take to the river without thinking have I got the right handle on!

Best of luck.

The company you are possibly thinking about.made the 'Maniform' Handle.and you also have the Zspey double handed salmon rod, both these handles fit outside the box.
But I would add,that anglers are very fixed in what they like /dislike.ad handles tend to be 1 of the things they are very conservative about.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

Always remember reading years ago about the project to design a better hand axe shaft ( Helve) after going through about 20 styles the project eventually came back to the original , I for one am happy with the current choice of rod handles , but I could see a use for say, an arthritic user , easker1

Unless you have a rod custom made, the handles will come in 'standard' sizes. A rod handle that adapts to your grip could be a good idea.

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http://www.rutlandwaterflyfishers.co.uk/

Custom build rods already have that option.
Just like stocks on bespoke shot guns.
Interchangeable handles are already covered with add on extension pieces too.
Has to be something really radical, and demonstrably so, before major manufacturers would invest and take it on.
think belly putter in golf!
point is the rod design, and indeed handles thereof, has been simillar for decades.
Why?
cos it works!
dont mean criticism to be negative, but most of what you have mentioned does come under the been there, got the tee shirt, aint going back, category as far as manufacturers are concerned.
regards
bert
bert

Thank you all for taking the time to reply to my post and expressing your valued opinions.

This will all be very helpful in my research

Please keep your views coming. They are all much appreciated

Many Thanks

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Jonathan

How about designing a boat seat specifically aimed at the flyfisherman?

Excellent idea.

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http://www.rutlandwaterflyfishers.co.uk/