Someone with big hands, someone who uses a variety of reels, someone who needs to be able to relax the hand by varying the grip position--and so on. I, too, would prefer a relatively short grip, but longer ones offer the most options to a wider range of potential users/buyers. The Japanese rods are marketed to a narrower population and user niche. Essentially, a long grip can be used as a "short" grip. A short grip cannot be used as a "long" grip.

I've had boo with short grips and would have preferred larger grip. Can be a little cramping on the hands if too small. Of course just my opinion.

If the grip fits fish it … I’m with Corlay and have a serious addiction to Japanese 3wts.

Hi Corlay,

Well that is a spectacular 7’ 3wt Campanella Yellow Sally #3 of 50 special edition. Hiroki says this is their first fiberglass rod and they poured their heart and soul into it. They have done collaborations in the past but this is the first “pure” Campanella glass rod. It has a


superb sticky action and the craftsmanship is excellent. Ken says they are getting ready to release some more glass and it sounds like these will be a regular stock item, not special editions like the Yellow Sally or River Song collab. The Ryobi 255MG balances it perfectly and it loves a Japanese Custom SA Finesse 3wt DT. I’ve used a Tiemco LDL leader with it and it handles that very well also.

There are different ways to hold a fly rod, and different ways for any one user to hold it according to what is being done with it. The blank and grip length and contour can also take into account the rod's feel and action as Corlay mentioned. Nevertheless, the hand should be able to find a natural position on the grip--as opposed to the grip confining/determining the hand position. I often prefer to hold low onto the reel seat but would never build a grip that made me hold only that way. There is no one shape or length for all users who might consider owning a given factory model. The 5-inch grip is good to have on the market, but not for everyone anymore than a 7-inch grip is.

Excellent point, while I also like to hold the rod way down on the grip/reel seat when casting I change grip and hand when fighting a fish and then it's natural for me to move the hand up the handle. I suppose that since the Japanese trout/char seem to be very small, making the grip more versatile for fish fighting isn't a priority.

A couple of years ago, a Japanese maker “custom” built an 8’ 3 wt for me. Custom features included the fiberglass blank color (brown), wrap color (clear), striping guide material, reel seat style (cap & ring), reel seat wood (stacked bamboo), grip length (13 cork rings) and shape (Garrison modified to my specific diameter measurements).

I’ve had other rods (glass and cane) custom built with similar grip size and shape and even Winston modified their grips on a glass and graphite rod to meet my requirements.

It is a comfortable, functional work of art…the wait was more than worth obtaining a true custom built rod.

I’m weighing whether or not to order a cane rod from him.

El Duderino guarantee it will not be your last Japanese rod! They are like Lay’s potato chips …