Quote:
Originally Posted by The Famous Grouse
It's always tough to say what is really an innovation rather than an improvement. For example, IMO anything to do with a line taper as Rob mentions above is (again, in my opinion) just an improvement.
To me, the real innovation was the plastic or pvc fly line. There was nothing like it before and it forms the basis for every plastic fly line on the market today.
While it's not specifically for fly fishing, I would say that Gore-tex was a hugely important innovation for fly fishing. It's funny to think about how different things were before breathable and waterproof clothing was available. We were clad in a uniform of rubber, neoprene, nylon, and waxed or oiled cotton, wool, and PVC. In thinking back on it, it's hard to convey how much more comfortable clothing is these days. Almost never was there a day back in the bad old days when I would take off my waders and coat and be dry underneath.
Grouse
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Grouse , you are spot on re the goretex and wicking materials , spending the day out in febuary 30 or more years ago was a nightmare of woolies waxed cotton ,silk if you could afford it ,and layer after thick layer , retaining sweeat which chilled you , wellington type boots and waders which kept the perspiration in and were non insulating or had padding which made them huge and ungainly .
Spent a chilly day yesterday , a single very thin wixking set of long sleeved uniglo heat top and long jons , breathable trousers , a thin fleece shirt type thin with a thicker fleece on top (that has a wind block and came in at under £20),Breatable chesties over and as no rain that was that ,bar the wool flat hat and the hair un trimmed (keeps the ears warm ).
Had it been raining or snowing a mk II Bloke breathable would have topped it out .
Early doors my hands were a little chilly bar that toasty all day ,so unlike the discomfort of the 70s into the 80s .
Its fuxxed now as a waterproof ,but some time in the 80s I bought a Grenfell with an early goretex analog membrane, cut in a Barbour solway zipper style , still wind proof and ok in showers ,wore it today to keep the wind at bay !
What was the last major breakthrough?
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