Hi all, first post... new to forum and still a novice rod builder. Built up a samurai BR101-2C spin stick for my first, and now I'm looking at a fly rod.

I have some time to plan, as I'm getting married in June and any spare money we've got has to go towards that.... BUT once the wedding is over I have permission to build myself a 2wt.

Having not built a 2wt before I'm after some advice (and apologies in advance because I know it's a question that has probably been asked a lot on here).

I'm looking for something with a fairly soft tip, and a medium (to fast) sort of action I think.... in the range of 6ft 6 to 8ft... 2wt but not too much of a noodle (Will be used to target jungle perch and sooty grunter in Nth Queensland, and the occasional trout).... and I really don't want to spend a lot on the blank, but understand that I need to pay a few dollars if I want something of a reasonable quality.

Recommendations for guides etc will be much appreciated as well

Any advice will be received gratefully

Batson has great 6' 6" 2 weights. I have built a number of them for happy customers. Single foot light wire guides will help keep the weight down.

Awesome mate. Thanks Phil. Will keep looking and do more research on the Batson. Had heard some very good things about those blanks.

I am building on a Batson 7'9" 2-3 wt..Making it into a spinning rod.
So far it feels great.
mikeb

Home Town,Gretna VA

The Batson is a good choice American tackle matix are nice also.

Mike

Thanks Mikes.. :-). I note that the matrix offer some nice sounding 2 pc blanks.

I should be able to get some single foot light wire guides from anywhere that sells guides (will they simply come in SS or do you reckon I'd be able to to investigate some other finishes (primarily for freshwwater use, and hopefully I'm strong enough not to take it to the salt)? Or will I need to be looking at specialised stores?

Can anyone recommend grips / reel seats? I guess these will be something I need to look at figure out what catches my eye...

For a 2wt, the theme is going to have to be light. Really light. The recoil single foot guides would excel at this. Plus, they are damage resistant, salt proof, perfect for what you intend. REC makes 2 types, a heavier wire set and a light wire set. You could use the light wire set, but even the heavier wire set would be lighter than anything else you could use. I just built a 5wt with them and cannot say enough good about them. They require minimal prep, are light, flexible and well made. About $20 per set. not too bad.

The REC top is said to be "ugly" but I used it and it's light and well with the guides.

I can't really advise on the blanks, as they all seem pretty good. Pick the length/size/action you want and start wrapping the guides. The MHx F662-3-MHX at Mudhole sounds perfect for you and is not expensive.

Hello David

The Batson blank sounds like a good investment for your application. I don't know the MHX from Mudhole also sounds nice.
Use singelfoot guides like Pac Bay XSFG guides or if you got the money, the REC recoil.
Make tge guides as small as possible. Lot of weight to save on that account!
Make short wraps and don't use to much rod finish.
For reelseat i would make my it from this:
[www.mudhole.com]
And make the insert from cork and make a short grip in cork also.

Or you can look at this site (from sweden):
[www.hsimport.se]
Look for the "Korkhandtag 1896" witch would be perfect for a #2 rod.

Best regards
Martin Honoré

Thanks Drew and Martin,

I have looked at the MHX blanks and also the "kits" is it worth looking at something like that or going the whole hog... I'm thinking for my first fly rod I really do want something that is going to stand out (then I'll just have to learn how to throw the perfect loop...), so am tending towards the latter... I note that REC does tubes as well, which would make for a nice touch.....

So the "heavier" set of guides you used Drew, you wouldn't think I'd have any problems in using the same on only a 2 wt?

I really do like the look of some of those reel seats (Just love those marbled timber seats)...

I think it's coming together.... the guides should essentially come in the colour of my choice yeah (well within reason)?.... It really @#$%& that I've got to do most of this on-line because it'd be great if I could just go somewhere and look and touch and really figure out what I like...

So... what am I going to need (just a brain dump.. hope you don'y mind fellas)
1. blank 2 to 4 piece 6ft 6 to 8ft (I'll narrow that down soon enough... I like the idea of something under 7ft for casting in real tight places)
2. single foot guides and a tip
3. stripper guide (is this necessary? am thinking it could add a touch of something)
4. hook keeper (otherwise I'll ruin the cork)
5. single handed cork grip
6. winding check
7. reel seat (gotta get one of those sexy marbled timber looking things... even better if there's something in cork)
8. a recipe for spacing the guides....

Am I missing anything?

If you like the "fancy look" (available through MudHole)

[www.americantackle.us]

Good quality cork handle with wood trims - no trim ring needed if reamed carefully

[www.americantackle.us]

Reel seats with wood inserts to match the grip above. The burl rosewood is really beautiful and accents any rod blank


Since you're looking at / thinking about single foot guides - order one extra (medium / large ) and use that as a hook keeper - will match out the guides you choose.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/06/2011 07:50AM by Ken Preston.

Ken Preston Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Since you're looking at / thinking about single
> foot guides - order one extra (medium / large )
> and use that as a hook keeper - will match out the
> guides you choose.


That is a very good idea. I wish I had thought to do that.


Regarding the light vs heavy single foots, they are both extremely light, but I'd use the light ones. The 5wt I just finished, I used the heavy ones-but they are still tiny and elegant. You will only need 1 stripper, maybe a 10. Here is a link to the light REC single foots:
[www.mudhole.com]


Drew

David

You might want to look into Hook & Hackle's Xi Series blanks and kits. I built 6ft 6in 2 wt this past fall. I subbed sf guides for reg snakes and foam core carbon sleeve handle with a high end REC slide down lock reel seat. I'm very partial to the green color. Performs very well, even a little faster than expected.

Have Fun

John

JLS Custom Rods
Cassadaga, NY

Thanks again fellas... Much appreciated

Hi again guys....

I've been looking on @#$%& at rod blanks... and have noted a couple of 2wt blanks by ROGER for about $50 including postage... that's all I know, is there anyone out there that has had experience with these... are they worth the risk? Mind you, I've been looking at Batson and Mudhole and a couple of other "known" blank manufacturers and the price isn't "really" that much more....

David Little Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hi again guys....
>
> I've been looking on @#$%& at rod blanks...


Sorry Mods, I'm still learning, but now assume that if I write anything that is not OK that it will be picked up automatically.

Any idea where I can find a guide spacing chart? I'm at a loss...

if you're going with a batson in the RX6 lineup, batson has an online forum with a section about all of their blank specs and such, including guide spacing i think. try this, second page for the 2 piece 6'6" model:

[www.rainshadowfishing.com]

of course, this is a "starting point" for testing where the guides might be located.

eric
fresno, ca.

Thanks eric, much appreciated

David,
If you've decided on a length and number of guides I could give you guide placement for your rod.
If you'd like to examine several iterations that can also be done very quickly along with analysis of guide train inertial effects on the blank.


Additionally you could download and use my spreadsheet at the following location.
[www.rodbuildingtutorials.com]



Eugene Moore

Cheers Eugene,

rod is 6ft 6, 3 piece 2wt IM6 graphite. Tip size is size 3 (1.2mm I think). will check your spreadsheet.