Hi all, does anyone have experience with the NFC fly rod blanks? I'm looking to build out a pair of bonefish/flats rods in 8 or 9 wt. I can't see any information on the differences between the Classic and the Gamma BetaLMX.

Does anyone know if the "Classic" is like the Loomis IMX or GLX from back in the day?

Many thanks,
DDM

I ordered on bak in December still no word on when it will ship. Have emailed them a couple of time no response. Hope you are not in a hurry.
Norm

Thats not encouraging....

When you order an NFC blank you can get it within two weeks or two months you just never know but people have learned that will be the case going in . The good news is the overwhelming majority are very very pleased once they receive the product . If you're on a time schedule or will not be able to wait that amount of time if necessary to do so than you shouldn't order .

Axiom II

I believe the classic is going to be more like the IMX. I got the Gamma Beta LMX in a 4 piece 9' 8 wt and it is the straight up the best fly rod I have ever cast. I did not use conventional snake guide set up but rather single foot ceramic SIC Fuji L guides and a Arowana TT (KG) the stripper guides were KW Torzites. There are no guides on the grip section. The 1st stripper is set very close to the ferrule closer to the reel, and I used 12 guides and a TT. I have been configuring and experimenting with this type of set up for about 3 years and this seems to work the best. It has a whole different feel like the line is more free without as much friction. I am sure the snake guide will perform close to the same but using less guides and feeling less slippery (cheaper to make). It took about a month to get and the advantage in the 4 piece is the cardboard tube is shorter that it comes in, so it is less likely to be damaged. I would not hesitate to get another one. I believe Fuji is discontinuing the L guides for whatever reason so I will probably start using Batson Ti framed L guides as a replacement.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/18/2019 04:23PM by Lance Schreckenbach.

Like many rods built by one manufacturer, or a series from same, there are winners and losers. I've only tried the Gamma Alphas, the five weight is not noteworthy, the eight weight is a good steelhead/bonefish rod, and the ten weight could use a bit more butt power.

All of a sudden David reads " It is the straight up the best fly rod I have ever cast " and says to himself , " I'm a patient guy i have no problem waiting " lol .

herb canter Wrote:
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> All of a sudden David reads " It is the straight
> up the best fly rod I have ever cast " and says to
> himself , " I'm a patient guy i have no problem
> waiting " lol .


Ha Ha Ha Ha, that's killing me. You read my mind straight out on that one. I'm literally thinking, I'll pop for 2 and see what happens........

Does anyone have an opinion of the 8 vs the 9wt LMX?

A lot depend on what you can do with the rod , if you have a lot of fly fishing know how, a 8 will do , but if you are like me wet behind the ears on fly fishing, go with the 9 my 2 CTS.

William Sidney
AK

The NFC blanks are nice but not that nice. I have heard and really think they are having some financial problems, maybe explaining their terrible customer service, and terrible may be a little on the kind side. A number of the blanks I have received from them appeared to be seconds, so I have not been impressed with their quality. One rod I built for a friend broke the first day he used it and it took me over three months to get a replacement. I will not order another blank from them until I’m convinced that they have improved significantly, but I think they will be out of business before that happens.
Norm

I wouldn't go higher than an 8 for bonefish. The disadvantage is that it will be more tiring. Most bonefishing can be done with 6-8, no need for a 9.

The Pac Bay Quickline 8 is a great bonefish rod, ccs shows it has the power, look around and you'll find the price is very good. As with any rod, you may have some work to do to find the best line match. Any rod, including NFC. Want to pay a little more , the Rainshadow Eternity 2 is very nice and has nano sphers. Supposedly tougher.

I have an Eternity 2 8 wgt very sweet rod, like it a lot.
Norm

herb canter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> All of a sudden David reads " It is the straight
> up the best fly rod I have ever cast " and says to
> himself , " I'm a patient guy i have no problem
> waiting " lol .

Herb,
I have many blanks so it is not an issue waiting for a few more, but to tell you the truth I am always surprised when they actually arrive, especially if they are not already broken to pieces. They definitely have some issues and it wouldn't be unthinkable if all of sudden they shut their doors and kept our money. I have made some great rods with the MHX blanks and the Batson ones. They seem very similar to each other but all around great blanks.

Lance , i understand , my post was to let David know that with NFC the time you may have to wait could be lengthly or relatively quick you just never know . You aren't the first who has had blanks arrive that were broken thats something that just should not happen these days . That is always a possibility when shipping blanks in cardboard tubes , Herb L ships CTS blanks only in PVC tubing (The thick kind) in the two inch diameter & they always arrive in perfect condition.

I did a search to see what others who ordered NFC blanks are dealing with and people are saying the same thing about NFC shutting their doors , then there was one guy who said he talked to NFC last week and everything is A OK so who knows. Batson has a stellar reputation for a reason and Mudhole shook the industry up by hiring Todd Vivian & i'm sure they're very pleased with the result .

Can't go wrong with Batson or MHX imo and you won't have to wait that long for either .