FLYFISHING MECHANICS - Basic understanding of mechanics of flycasting. Design of flycasting equipment for optimal performance. Flyrod testing and rating systems. Biomechanics of flycasting. Properties of materials used in flyfishing.

Current Projects: Modeling and testing of sinking flylines.

Reading Lists: Rod Mechanics Casting Mechanics

Selected Publications:

Spolek, G.A. and Jeffries, S.R., "Analysis of Large Deflections of Fishing Rods", Proceedings ot the International Conference on Computational Methods and Experimental Measurements, Washington, D.C. pp. 637-648 (1982).

Spolek, G.A., "The Mechanics of Flycasting: The Flyline", American Journal of Physics, V.54 (9), pp. 832-836, (1986).

Spolek, G.A., "The Mechanics of Flycasting Equipment", Biomechanics in Sport ­ A 1987 Update, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, DE­Vol. 13, pp. 23-26 (1987).

Spolek, Graig, "Where the Action Is: Part I," The American Fly Fisher, V.13, No.4, pp. 7-11 (1987).

Spolek, Graig, "Where the Action Is: Part II," The American Fly Fisher, V.14, No.1, pp. 2-9 (1988).

Spolek, Graig, "Testing New Tippet Materials, " Fly Fisherman, V.19, No.5, pp. 60-61 (1988).

Spolek, G.A., "Fly Rod Performance", Advances in Bioengineering, BED V.26, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, pp 251-254 (1993).

Spolek, Graig and Morris, Skip, "Fly Rod Action Quantified," Fly Fisherman, V.24, No.6, pp. 42-45 (1993).

Spolek, Graig, "Fly-Rod Evolution", Fly Fisherman, V.27, No.1, pp. 12-16 (1995).

Spolek, G.A. and Spolek, R.G., “Measurement of Bending Stiffness in Flexible Fishing Leaders,” Proceedings of the SEM Annual Conference on Experimental and Applied Mechanics, Portland, OR. pp. 498-501 (2001).

Spolek, Graig, “Fluorocarbon vs. Monofilament,” Fly Fisherman, V.34, No.5, pp. 46-47, p59 (2003).

Spolek, Graig, "Modern Leader Materials - How Flexible Are They?" FlyFisherman.com, http://www.flyfisherman.com/skills/gstippetsiffness/ (2003).

Spolek, G.A., “Fly Rod Spines,” The Engineering in Sport 5, International Sports Engineering Association, pp. 319-325 (2004).

Spolek, G.A., “Measurement of Fly Rod Spines,” Proceedings of the SEM Annual Conference on Experimental and Applied Mechanics, Portland, OR. (2005).

Spolek, Graig, "Bench Tests," The Flyfishing Insider, Fall 2005, p7.

Spolek, Graig, “Design and Materials in Fly Fishing”. Materials in Sports Equipment Volume 2, edited by Aleksandar Subic, Woodhead Publishing Ltd, Cambridge, England pp. 225 – 247 (2007).

Spolek, Graig, “Fluid Dynamics Model of Flyline Hangdown,” http://www.flyfishingresearch.net/sinktipdepth/fluiddynamicsprinciples.html

Spolek, Graig, “Sink Depth of Trolled Fishing Lines”, Sports Engineering, V. 10, pp. 165 – 171(2007).