The new BLACK WIDOW
range of fly rods.

17/05/2004

Terry and Tim Babich of Fishing Owl’s World put these hard working durable rods to the test.

The 5/6 WT was put to the test as a rod suitable for bass and yellow fish, the results were good. This rod was put to the test on the Vaal River in conditions regarded as too difficult to fish because of the an excessive flow rate (62 cubic). The capabilities of this rod proved to be adequate enough to enable Tim to land several yellow fish in the 1kg -1.5kgs. Tim has used this rod extensively over the past four months; he has caught many yellow fish, bass and even carp on this rod, without having to worry if the rod can match requirements necessary for landing even a 15 lb carp.

I on the other hand had the pleasure of testing the 9/10 wt rods. This rod is stiff for a medium action weight rod, but has a very nice tip action for playing fish, allowing for enough tip action too feel the fish while you are playing. I put the rod to the test on the Vaal for yellow fish in heavy winds and again on the Vaal for catfish and carp. The tip action was forgiving enough for catching carp without being to stiff as too pull the hook out of the fish. The rod has been more than adequate for catching catfish and I have already landed several without any problems. I used this rod at Bronkhorstspruit dam for carp that were feeding in the dense grass, under these conditions the carp were stalked, the fly is placed in front of them on a short lead line, fish are struck at close range, too which they respond by torpedoing off, tremendous pressure needs to be applied to stop these fish before they break you up in the thick grass. I had no problems in being able to apply such pressure with these rods.

The Black widow rods are 100% graphite with a 24-ton graphite blank they were available at Fishing Owl’s World beginning of 2004 at R300.00 a piece. The price is very reasonable considering the durability and strength of these rods, which are bound to last for a very long time, giving you many years of fishing pleasure.

Don’t underestimate when testing out of these rods, we have worn out many a well-known make rod in less than five months.

Fish caught over five months

5/6WT, on 26 outings.
yellow fish 72 up to 2.5kg
catfish 9 6.8kg
carp 36 7.1kg
bass plenty
trout 4

9/10WT, on 14 outings
yellowfish 34 2.5kg
catfish 43 8.9kg
carp 18 4.6kg