Use the entire length of the blank. The forward support when doing the measurement should be positioned at the location that is equal to 10% of the blank's overall length.

.................

Just re-read the 4th post on page one, do it, and report the weight it took.

After re-measuring the rod and coming up with the correct deflection amount, I determined the rod has an ERN of just over 12.

In that case, and particularly if you plan to fish short distances (which I assume you would given the rod's length), you'd need something along the lines of a 14 weight to 15 fly line to load it, if you can even find such a thing.

..........

Judging from the foregoing conversation a six-foot monofilament leader with a couple #2 split shot clamped above the fly would be the most effective way to convert this spin rod into a "fly rod".

Wade,
While I will not argue with the purists who nay-say a combo rod, there are those such as Ben, Sam and myself who have had good luck with them. I have found a Tennessee handle to be very effective in a number of ways and relatively easy to construct. I AM EXTREMELY CURIOUS AS TO THE FIBERGLASS FERRULES YOU MADE; PLEASE TELL ME MORE!!!

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

A combo rod is a combo rod. Why would anyone expect that a rod that can do both jobs somewhat well would do either as well as one designed to do only one? Come on, folks, get real.

RodMaker has done two articles on Spin/Fly rods and they function very well in both/either capacity.

.................

Michael, you are point-on in your assessment, “A combo rod is a combo rod. Why would anyone expect that a rod that can do both jobs somewhat well would do either as well as one designed to do only one?” This is undeniably true! Yet we all assume compromises in rod building and if one is willing to accept the compromise, the versatility of a combo rod can certainly be very rewarding, especially for pack-in alpine lake fishing.
Wade, I am still curious of how you fabricated your FG ferrules; pray tell!

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Well, the ferrules were probably the funnest part of the build so far. I bought a fiberglass blank about the same size as my two piece blank. Then I measured and cut 6 inch pieces of the fiberglass blank in a spot on the rod that had about the same amount of taper. Slowly worked them down until the ferrules overlapped each piece of the main blank about 2 inches and glued them together with Rod Bond. Then I sanded the joint as flat as I could get. Wrapped with thread, dyed my epoxy black and put on three different coats. In between each coat I sanded the transition and feathered the edges like you would do a car.

Once all of that was done, I painted the entire blank with automotive single stage rootbeer metallic. You cannot see a single joint or wave, each piece of the rod simply gets bigger at the end.

like them or dont like them, I enjoy the challenges of making combo rods. I like the engineering of the handles and seeing everything come together. Fish will bite on anything, so if you are on a horse or backpacking in the woods, a travel sized combo rod might be right up your alley.

Besides, I dont know many people who get paid to fish. Just calm down and fish. Dont be so uptight.

Wade,
Thank you for describing your FG ferrules. The reason for my interest is that I developed a method of fabricating tubular ferrules (both outer sleeve and inner spigot) using woven FG cloth sleeves. The blank itself is utilized as the “mold” which produces inherently identical tapered ferrules. If you are interested, search “Self Fabricated FG Ferrules” around 02/2017. I call them CARL (Constant Arc Rod Link). If interested further, contact me as I have change the process slightly over the past 3 years. I am in the final stages of producing and article for RodMaker magazine, if Tom sees fit to publish it.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

A person who uses the right tool for the right job should not be dismissed as a "purist". A short spinning rod blank with fly rod guides, a fly reel, and a baited hook makes a fine trout rod on a small, overgrown creek.

Mark Talmo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wade,
> Thank you for describing your FG ferrules. The
> reason for my interest is that I developed a
> method of fabricating tubular ferrules (both outer
> sleeve and inner spigot) using woven FG cloth
> sleeves. The blank itself is utilized as the
> “mold” which produces inherently identical
> tapered ferrules. If you are interested, search
> “Self Fabricated FG Ferrules” around 02/2017.
> I call them CARL (Constant Arc Rod Link). If
> interested further, contact me as I have change
> the process slightly over the past 3 years. I am
> in the final stages of producing and article for
> RodMaker magazine, if Tom sees fit to publish it.


Mark, you do know Tom,s magazine only has 40 pages..only joking Mark..lol.

Hello All.

Here is the volume/Issue and page of the two articles Tom was talking about.

V/I NAME Page.
21/2 Spin/Fly Combination Travel Rod By Tom Kirkman. 16
12/3 Spin/Fly Combination Travel Rod. 10



Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.