"Our fishing season is getting closer to the end, so I thought I'll drop a few lines about how the summer has been with my new CTS's.

Beforehand I had in regular use, a half a dozen of two-handed flyrods for which I'd been fully satisfied. Anyway none of those have been in use this season, mainly because of my new CTS's. I think that pretty much says it all...

See the Affinity Plus 13'0" #8-9 in action...
And the resulting 5.1kg brownie...

thanks,
Janne Aikio
Finland

"The Yellowfin Tunas were rumored to be at the bouy so we ventured out. Using the pearl white Seamaster Pro 7'10" 24-37kg, the first strike we took was from a fish probably close to 100lbs. The 80lb test leader finally broke after about 10-15 minutes. We fought the next strike for about 20+ minutes and finally boated a Tuna just under 70lbs.

The rod is just awesome. We can apply a lot of pressure without fear of the rod breaking. The limit is really how much the line the angler can handle; 30lbs is a lot of pressure on the arms and back. This was a great field test and hopefully we can get back and land some Tuna over 100lbs. We will definitely be getting more of these blanks".

Darren Kai
CSC Rodz, Hawaii

"16 #8-9 Affinity DH. What can I say, this was the firestarter for the whole rod operation, and in a word it's everything I imagined it to be. For example, with Cortland's #10-11 Tricolor Spey there's basically nothing a caster needs to do, the rod casts the 17-meter long head itself, and shoots 20 meter of running line on top of it.

But the real thing happens with proper spey line: The first time I tested it with Rio's #8/9 GrandSpey there was almost an accident, the line wasn't attached to reel, but I stripped it directly from the package, pulled it through the guides, attached a 4½ meter leader and started rolling. With few strokes the 25 meter long head with the leader was all out. Then I made a few casts to see how I could control such an amount of line - no problem at all.

At this point I totally forgot, that the end of the line wasn't attached, I made a perfect single spey cast, let the line loose - when the "this end to reel" -sticker at the end of line scratched through the guides, I realized the situation. Luckily the far end of the line & leader flew in a perfect loop to the other side of the pond I was casting in. It would have been a 43-47 meter cast. This was the tenth cast with the new rod!"

Janne
Finland

"I got back from NZ earlier this week. I had a great time, what a beautiful country you live in. The trout fishing was fairly tough on the South Island so we spent most of the trip saltwater fishing. See attached photo of one of the Kingfish I landed, which were landed mostly by luck! Those things fight like hell! The 10 weight Affinity S blank I got from you folks performed admirably, although honestly for Kingi's over 30 pounds a person really needs to use a 12-14 weight rod. My next purchase perhaps. The best areas we found were the East Cape region and the Coromandel Penn. A fishermans paradise you live in. Tight lines. As I was only through Auckland on the weekend of my departure I didn't get a chance to stop in and see you folks, I wanted to though. Next time".

Dave
USA

"I am now fishing with my 9"#5 Affinity Plus and I have never been impressed more with any other rod I have used. After I got used to the fast taper I can cast more precise than ever before, and the distance is just unbelievable. Additionally I have not lost one single fish because my leader broke, and I am usually using very thin leaders. It is amazing, how much power this rod has. If I take into consideration, how light this rod is, I am wondering, how such a stable blank design is possible at all.

I congratulate the team for this rod, and I can assure you, this is not my last CTS rod".

Regards
Wolfgang
Austria

“I put fluorocarbon line on the CTS rod, and the sensitivity is unbelievable. I fish a lot of weightless 4" plastic worms. They just very slowly flutter to the lake bottom. I felt the worm hit the lake bottom. I've never felt that...

I don't own a finer fishing rod than the one I built on your blank".

Sean Walker
Fort Worth, TX, USA



“ The new range of CrosbyGarret fly rods offer the experienced or novice angler great flexibility of choice while on the water.

As a professional fly fishing guide in the Taupo area, much of my guiding focuses on the rivers and streams of this spectacular region. These clear back country waters require a high degree of stealth in both presentation and technique in order to be successful. The new CrosbyGarret 3pc #6 impressed me with its sensitivity and ease with which it produced tight accurate casts.

Whether quietly presenting a dry fly to a selective back country brown or casting long tight loops with a Tongariro weighted nymph, this rod proved to consistently meet my highest expectations."

Peter Wilton – Professional Fly Fishing guide – Taupo, New Zealand

" ...their customer service was excellent throughout the process. I was hesitant about getting blanks from a company so far away, New Zealand, but CTS made the process a piece of cake. The blanks themselves were all beautifully finished and straight as arrows. No fit or finish problems…”

”I built blanks from both their saltwater line, Affinity S, and their faster action freshwater, Affinity Plus. Both series of rods are fast action sticks and can cast as much line as your skill will allow. For reference for some of you they rank right up there with Sage XP and Sig V's. The 8' 3wt. would cast either 25 or 65 feet equally well. Light weight and really good recovery. My customer fished the 8wt Affinity S and loved it. Had nothing but good things to say.”

Steve Mikel
Michigan, USA

Affinity Plus
I was asked by the manufacturer of the CrosbyGarret range of rods to trial a 6wt 3 piece rod late last summer. It was an excellent time of year for dry fly fishing on the Manawatu River.

The rod performed exceptionally well on short casts where accuracy was of paramount importance. It maintained this accuracy on longer casts and had the extra power available for those casts that needed that extra bit of grunt to deliver the fly to the target.

The rod had plenty of power when needed but still maintained its finesse when delivering flies at shorter distances. When playing fish, the rod left the angler feeling in control at all times, yet it was soft enough to handle playing fish on light leaders.

A rod that you could use all day without feeling like you have been casting a broomhandle. A well presented rod that has been finished exceptionally well.

All round an exceptional rod.

David Webb
NZ Fly Fishing Guide (Manawatu) NZPFGA

CTS is a first class operation.

I was originally drawn to them for their ability to do concept design/engineering of multi pc. fly rods, especially the longer two handed rods.

Their work is always prompt, and flawless...

Bob Meiser
www.meiserflyrods.com