Hi all

I am getting ready to build my first fly rod and need help in choosing parts and maybe even a recipe. I have had a great deal of interest in clients wanting fly rods built but i have had little experience with using or building one. I want to target saltwater species in Australia like Bonefish, Giant Trevally, Queenfish etc. It has been recommended that i build a 9wt for this purpose.

Please suggest what you think i should build. As it is for me cost is no issue(prefer to build myself tops shelf gear).

Thanks
Stuart Klose

Stuart,
Where to start??
Fist the 9wt is fine for bones and queens. GT is another kettle of fish. A 10 wt would be the minimum.
You have CTS in NZ which would be my choice for blanks.
Saltwater seats from REC or Struble.
Guides: Fuji TSVSG #16, #12 for the ceramic double foot guides.
TSG #10 single foot next.
The rest REC #4 or 5 single foot heavy wire guides. REC recoil tip top.
Herb

Hi Stuart.
You will be asking a lot from one rod, though I believe a #9wt is a good place to start. Its a bit heavy for bones, good for small trevally's, queens, threadfin, and many others, but if your after better GTs (12kg and up) then you will probably need to go to a #12. Will you be fishing from the shore or boat, and what region will you do most of your fishing. The answers to what weight rods, flies and types of lines you'll need can be easily researched, and questions answered with better experience than I could give by checking out the local Ozzy forums. However for blanks, I second Herbs suggestion of CTS. They are superb and very well made. I also like the TFO TiCr and TiCrX models, both fast and powerful, but with a reasonable price tag. As for the rest of the components it depends on the level of budget you are prepared to go to. Personally I like a Titanium framed stripper Sic, and the heavy duty REC recoils for runners with a Fuji titanium Sic tip for a #9wt. I like the bling of nicely machined and anodized all metal reel seats such as Struble, REC and even the ALPs Triangles, but for pure function and reliability you cant beat the standard Fuji graphite reel seats. Always go for the best cork you can get for the grip-a full wells style is probably most suitable for this type of rod. This is only my suggestion, but ask the locals first, and there are some very experienced guys in Australia who will willingly answer all your questions.