Over time, although I had never met Ralph in person, our friendship grew, and I could always count on a great answer from him whenever I ran into a rod building or repair problem. Finally, last year at The Custom Rod Builders Guild conclave, I had the honour of meeting him.

Elsewhere on the Web • U-40

Earlier this year, Ralph contacted me and asked if my business would help his company develop a website. After making the necessary plans, and going over his product list, I saw something called 'Fast Cast' in his catalog. I had never seen the product before, and asked Ralph about it. I learned that it was something he had developed especially for fly lines, and that those who used it apparently raved about it. He promised to send me a sample.

It's Good Stuff!

Let me tell you, Fast Cast is good stuff! I've been using a Scientific Anglers 5 Wt. Floating line on a Scientific Anglers System II for most of my fishing. When I first put the line on, I didn't have enough backing to attach the line onto. This caused the line to develop curls, and recently, when casting certainly impeded the distance I should have been able to obtain while casting. But, like most fly fishers, I try to spend more time on the river, rather than time winding on more backing.

I followed the directions that came with Fast Cast, which are pretty simple. I squirted some of the stuff on to a cloth, held it between thumb and forefinger, and drew the line through. Immediately, my line fell onto the floor without any of the curl that it had developed. I could also see that the line was definitely cleaner too!

The Real Test

I arrived on the Saugeen River, all ready to fish with my newly cleaned and treated line. Ralph claimed that not only would his product help me to cast further, it would also keep my line floating real high in the water. He was right on both counts. I was pretty impressed with the distance I was able to get, and the fact that the whole length of line, right out to its tip, floated exactly as it should. The line I was using was not new line, either. I believe I began using it about two years ago.

Dry Fly Floatant Too!

The bottle says that Fast Cast also performs as a dry fly floatant. I had tied on a White Wulff, and after several fish, it wasn't floating too well. I took out the bottle (it fits very nicely in a vest pocket), and squirted a bit on the hackles, and rubbed it in. I casted the Wulff out and watched as it rode high and dry on the surface of the water.

Solid V. Oily

Ralph advises me that he developed Fast Cast about 6 years ago. According to Ralph, most other fly floatants "are merely something sticky and oily." Fast Cast, on the other hand, "imparts a SOLID onto your line. A solid that is very slippery and lasts a long time. It makes the line float better, and cleans easier as well as being a line lubricant." Naturally, the formulation and process is proprietary information.

The Bottom Line

What's the bottom line, you're probably asking. Fast Cast comes in a 1 oz. bottle, and the suggested retail price is US$6.99. It's apparently available at some fly shops, but Ralph says they haven't done a whole lot to market the product. Pity, I say. I can't find it anywhere, but I'm going to ask my local fly shop to stock Fast Cast.! My bottom line is that I love this stuff! It fits perfectly in my vest pocket, and I really have nothing negative to say about it. This should be included in every fly angler's kit, especially if you use floating lines or do any dry fly fishing.