Dear\u00a0Jerry Siem,<\/p>\n
I know you’re a very busy guy, and a very competent one too, which won’t help me get you to see my point. Anyway, I have to do something, in the name of our Mouching readers, who deserve better. In a nutshell: you came up with a magnificent blank, and it’s almost a surprise one can still notice that after such a bad treatment during the build. I give you a little list, it’s just depressing:<\/p>\n
a. Obviously, no one took care to spine the blank. So the guides are 45\u00b0 left of the blank’s natural curve. Jerry, old sport, there’s nothing really serious about all this, and your marketing buddies, who really know their trade, have all the reasons behind such poor choices.\u00a0I just resent a little that we all have to put up with that thing they do to get to your work. The rod’s not mine, and at that price tag I wouldn’t want to cause massive brain damage, but here’s what I’d do if I ever were to win your rod at a bingo game: I would first get rid of those guides, then of the paint. It’s not difficult to do. Then I’d build it back on the spine, with single foot guides and short wraps. I’m sure the result would surprise many people, but certainly not you, because you’re Jerry Siem and your\u00a0blank is seriously good.<\/p>\n With my best regards,<\/p>\n Laurent du Mouching.<\/p>\n
\nb. The paint<\/em>. Weights a ton. Serves no\u00a0technical purpose other than screwing your designer job.
\nc. Snake<\/em> guides. A noble herency from tougher times… double wrap, double weight, zero advantage, except for Bob, the steelheader cousin, who’s getting freezing guides.
\nd. Two<\/em> insert<\/em> strippers. That’s one too many. And\u00a0Fuji LNAG, really? Even I usually do better on my proletarian rods.
\ne. Even the reel seat<\/em> is a cheapo for a rod this high in price. That’s where we\u00a0expect a class act, and what do we get? Some passable aluminium crap. Meh.
\nF. Don’t get me started on that\u00a0winding check<\/em>…<\/p>\n\n