D-I-Y zoom rod

[orangeotter]

I'm due to fish a smallish stream this weekend and couldn't decide between taking my zoom (10ft 6 max) or a 12ft, certainly don't want to carry both.

An idea came to mind related to the use of a salmon rod, where the joints are taped. This is really simple - take the 12ft, collapse the bottom section and then take a couple of turns of electrical tape over the (then) bottom joint - bingo - I had an instant 10ft 6 rod with a super action. How easy does it get !

Clearly, you can experiment with whatever length you like but I guess that at some point the action will get very stiff.

I think this idea will work well when you find yourself in a tight spot and a shorter rod is beneficial but not required on the whole beat.

Just carry a roll of tape - simples !

[Simon]

Really good idea Louis, why has this not been tried before? Will shortening the rod will change the flex, a 6-4 will become a 5-4? Has anybody experimented with this idea?

Simon

[orangeotter]

I've just checked Simon's point and surprisingly there was minimal (if any)change in flex/action.

I dropped it down another section, presumably to approx. 9ft and it did then stiffen, but still very useable.

This could help anyone not wishing to splash out on another rod.

[orangeotter]

Again, just for the record, I was testing a 360 7:3

[Deleted]

I could do with a much shortened rod just to get into a particular swim without freaking out all the smallies at the back end. The main section is a very smooth quiet flow which ends abruptly under a footbridge with a mini weir. The problem is there is always some smallie about two foot forward of this weir. You need to take him out but you can't put hardly any line on the water as it will be dragged by the weir sections faster flow. I'm not sure a shorter rod will fix this but a longer rod doesn't help. 
I thought a piece of card rolled around a upper section might take up the gap? Haven't tried it yet but it got to be better than collapsing part of the rod and trying to cast normally? .... Not one of my better ideas....

[orangeotter]

If you try my taping idea, you'll find it works perfectly well, casts a dream.

Can't understand your card theory, sorry.