I am currently building an 11' 6" 8/9 wt rod for overhead/underhand fly casting. The rod would be used for distance casting with shooting heads in the CA surf. I am not sure which grip style would best suit this rod and application.

I don't think I need a full spey grip, but doubt that simply adding a 6" lower grip to a standard single hand rod grip would work either. From looking at pictures of similar rods, a grip with almost equal length upper and lower grips seems popular. Is this the best design?

Your thoughts?

Rob

I built a Gloomis GLX 11'6" 8/9wt a few years ago and didn't like the spey type grips or a long fighting butt so I took two full wells grips, cut the bottm end off of one, cut the top of off the other that had the reel seat insert, (measured for equal diameters before cutting to minimze sanding) aligned them on a dowel, and glued the cut ends together. I wound up with a "double hump" full wells grip that's just over 12 " long. I added the large Sage type fighting butt and it's real comfortable to plant the butt in your gut and hold on with both hands above the reel. I just thought that with one hand below and one above the reel would be like a push-pull affect and wear me out too quickly. My setup is really comfortable when I hook a big Salmon. The overall length from the butt to the winding check is almost identical in length to their factory rod. I can email you a picture if you're interested.

I built a similar rod and had the same delema. i took a n pre made cork spinning handle from anglers workshop. it was 12" long. i cut off the end where the end cap goes and re-shaped it some to suite me. ended up about 10" long. i did a similar thing with the extension handle and made it 8" long. built the extension handle on a pac bay 5" fighting butt core extended to 8".

Robert , I just completed a 10'6" 6wt for 2 handed casting in smaller rivers with no backcasting room . I talked to Bob Meiser as to the constuction of the handle ( and blank , guides, spaceing....) and I ended up with 10 3/4" fore , and 5" rear grips . Bob was a super guy to talk shop with , I suggest giving him an e-mail , and see if you could have a chat with him ............ it's worth it , he's a great guy with the 2 handed stuff . His site is on the left in the sponsors, R.B.Meiser Rods. JD

Got Fish ?

I recently modified an REC spey foregrip--their spey grip set is still on sale, btw--by taking 4" out of the middle and gluing the ends together. This is pretty much what Tim Collins did. The difference would be that the REC grip would give you a thicker grip in the middle. I put mine on a 12' 5wt and it worked really well. On my 10'6" switch, though, I did what Larry Pirrone describes above. Went with a spinning grip and put the tapered well at the top--this is a more comfy grip for fishing flies on the swing. Whichever route you go, I recommend setting up a cork clamp to help keep your glue lines sharp.

Robert,

I just built a 11'9" 7 wt for light spey rod stuff. I went with 4.5" behind the seat and about 9.5 or 10" in front. It is about the right length for me to single hand or double hand cast the rod with overhead or spey presentations.

Sean,

Where are the REC spey sets on sale? I couldn't find it on the website.

Thanks,
Rick

Rick,

Go to "Products," then ""Cork Products--Grips and Rings."

[www.rec.com]



--sean

Great responses. I think I know where I want to go with this project now.

Cheers,

Rob