Thinking of making a spey rod and to me the handle looks like the most difficult part of the project. I don't turn my own handles and use pre-formed grips.
Has anyone had success building a spey rod with pre-formed grips? What brand of pre-formed grip did you use? Thanks Bill

Batson Enterprises - Rainshadow/Forecast/ALPS has a pre formed grip ( Fore grip - Part # SFG/13.5 , Rear Grip Part # SBG/5.5 ) in Super grade, page 90 of our 106 page color catalog. We have sold alot of these for folks who do not want to make there own. Please feel free to contact one of our many Authorized distibutors. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.
Bill Batson
CEO
Batson Enterprises
Rainshadow/Forecast/ALPS product lines
877-875-2381
www.batsonenterprises.com

I've done two spey rods the past two years for myself. The first one was the Forecast 11'6" 6/7 on which I used the premade grips. I then did a 14' 9 wt Sage VPS where I turned my own grips. I ream out my grips by hand with a round file or with a reamer, and I must say that reaming that long foregrip is the only time that I wish I had one of those Dreamweavers that Batson makes. Both times I ended up with blisters on my hands from using the reamers.

By the way, turning your own grips is really pretty easy, and a lot of fun. I use a threaded rod, preferably a 3/8" one, placed in my drill to do the shaping. It's fun to experiment with different colors of burl cork to get what you want. Look at Bob Meiser's site to check out some nice looking grips.

Wayne

Angler's Workshop carries the grips in stock at all times. Not sure who their supplier is, but they are nice grips.

Pacific Bay makes a nice Spey foregrip # SFG14S-400F and a fighting butt to go along with it # SFB5S-500- the cork is graded as Super.., Along with the spey grips you can use the CL9R channel lock seats which are excellent for spey rods!! - They come in 3 colors, TiCh, Black Satin and Titanium. You can find them on page 46 of the new Pacific Bay catalog,for more detailed information.

Thank you,
Karen Hapka
Bingham Enterprises





Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 06/21/2007 12:36PM by Bingham Enterprise.

If you use the new Forecast Spey seat RA8.5L2 that comes with a trim ring for the rear grip then order the preformed Forecast spey grip in super grade with the cut out to fit the seat (SFGCA/13.5/.437) and the rear SBG5.5 it comes with an EVA cap as well. You may also want to purchase the Dream Reamer cork reaming tool as well. It will make the job three times easier.

Also keep your eyes out next month for the New American Tackle Catalog, we have added some pre-shaped spey grips specifically for this type of application. It should be available by the middle of July.

Chase Foster
American Tackle
www.americantackle.us