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Rio Accelerator Spey line
Description
Unique WF design claimed to produce exceptionally tight
loops due to its complex taper. In addition to the normal taper profile,
this line has another swelling like a mini DT portion on the end of the
line. The smaller diameter section between this and the tapered head is
intended to hinge and tighten the loop for better casting. At the end
of the cast, the heavier portion is designed to flip over and accelerate
to straighten the leader, hence the line's name. Head length including
all the tapers is 80 feet and the running line is 0.04 inches diameter.
Yellow in colour.
Performance
First impression of this line was that it felt stiffer than
the others. We had no idea what to expect from its unique complex taper
design and very much looked forward to trying it out. Rio include a well
illustrated booklet and reasonably good instructions on how to cast with
each of their lines, The techniques described are more suitable for the
softer actioned rods favoured by some Americans than the rods we tested
with. According to the book the narrow portion between the front tapers
of the Accelerator or "hinge" as they prefer to call it, "accelerates
the energy on the final forward delivery and kicks over the tip no matter
how windy". I think I know what Jin Vincent is eluding to here but
have some difficulty understanding how it can possibly work unless the
cast is overpowered in the first place. The other advantage he claims
is "because the tip is two line sizes lighter, the fly lands on the
water lightly instead of crashing to the surface as is the case in a heavy
double taper". The book contradicts itself when it goes on to say
"If you do not want the thin forward taper or have to deal with large
heavy flies or tube flies and constant wind, you can cut this line exactly
18 feet from the tip". At 45 feet the line behaved very well and
shot three yards easily with good presentation and turnover although it
did feel light on the stiffer rod. At 75 feet the narrow loop at the front
caused by the hinge effect became quite noticeable. It was obvious how
it kicked the tip section of the line over like a whip before the whole
line straightened and fell nicely onto the water. I felt that a certain
amount of additional effort was required to make it work properly. With
just a little bit less effort there is a tendency for this line to "tuck"
or fail to turn over correctly beyond the hinge. Overall a somewhat quirky
line which, despite that, could be made to perform well at long distances
but I didn't like it when casting at distance into a wind. It was then
difficult to turn over. The ideal casting length seemed to be when the
belly was brought into the hand, (just like the book said) then the rods
loaded beautifully throughout and allowed long smooth shoots. Whilst I
was doubtful of the benefit of the profile regards turnover, I got the
impression that it may have helped to anchor the 'D' loop firmly and produce
better loading.
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