Hi all,
It's finally here.
We have two models:

10'6" #2 and 10'6" #3.

These will have a softer tip than the stock 10'6" Affinity-X's.

Some might remember that the 11'0" Affinity-X was to be left alone because the tip wassuitable for EN'ing.

They will also depower the tip (-) 1 line weight. But at this time, there is no design for this. The design fee is $204 U.S. for this particular blank.
Once a customer has it designed, it will be open to anyone.
If enough people want to buy one - I will pick-up the design fee.

Herb

Cool news Herb. Will be curious to hear opinions and comparisons once folks have fished them a bit. Currently the T&T Contact II is widely considered the gold standard for ESN. I own 2 of them and believe they are much better rods than either of the Sages. The gap between what most folks consider to be the next tier down, like the offerings from Echo, don't come close to the Sage ESN or T&T for sensitivity. Would be cool to have another alternative, if the CTS can approach their level of performance. Do you know if CTS plans to offer any larger ESN rods? Currently the choices for a steelhead appropriate ESN specific rod are very limited. T&T DDT does sell the Contact II blanks, including the 6 weight.

Jeff
When we polled people using the stock Affinity-X as a nymphing rod - the consusus was that the 11'0" blank is good as-is.
BTW - there is the option to have an 11'0" Afinity-X #3 with a depowered tip (-) 1 line weight,
It was thought that the 10'0" "X" was too stiff.
So Stephen deciided to make the first nymphing dedicated blank at 10'6".
I just sold the first ever built to one on my new customers.
Herb

Jeff, when I got introduced to euro nymphing by a guide, I used his T&T contact II (3 wt). The next day I started planning a build of my own, and ordered an 11', 3wt Affinity MX from Herb (same tip as Affinity X, but more moderate action which is my personal preference). While I only got to fish it for a day, I'd say the affinity MX I built is of similar quality to the contact II. They are definitely a little different in feel, but performance is similar (I have no issues with sensitivity, recovery is quick, and it has plenty of backbone). I imagine this new design will be very good as well, but I'm happy with my build as-is so don't feel the need to order this new configuration (at least for now lol).

Also, you may be interested in the new diamondback ideal nymph rod coming out soon. It is a new taper designed by Joe Goodspeed (creator of the T&T Contact and Contact II) after leaving T&T.

Nick,
Thank you.
Herb

Hi Guys, Just discovered this site and your posts about CTS Euro blanks. Coincidentally, I have been working on an idea for a rather brutal version and visited the CTS factory only yesterday as I live in NZ. My son has a 3-weight 9ft Afffinty X blank for dries and he absolutely loves it. So, I looked at their Affinity X blanks. The 2-weight feels delightful and would be fine here for medium size fish in summer flows on our rivers. But Winter and Spring are a different kettle of fish, so to speak.

I fish rivers such as the Tongariro on the winter spawning runs and other North Island rivers that are fairly wide and swift. I mostly Euro nymph and have to use 4mm beads on the point with a 3mm or 3.5mm on the dropper for the higher flows such as Springtime. On the winter sessions in clear water, I have found that high numbers of fish come to a single #14 / 3mm bead Pheasant Tail on a small dropper with a AAA split shot (0.8 grams) on the point. In coloured water, 5mm to 6mm egg flies take over. I use a long tapered mono leader (0.57mm to 0.23mm) with 4X or 3X tippet depending on the current. A typical session sees anything up to a few dozen fish in the net giving three major issues.

Firstly, casting from 0.3g to 0.8g in a swift cast on about 30ft of line from the rod tip every 3 to 5 seconds becomes tiring. Secondly, cold water fish don’t usually move much for a fly and so takes can be very subtle. Finally most fish are 2lb to 4lb and netting them in areas of fast current where there is no slack water, puts a huge strain on the rod. I am wondering if Euro nymphing for steelhead for you guys is similar? Jeff, you mentioned steelhead and as the Tongariro fish were originally Californian steelhead strain, I am guessing we may be looking at developing a similar blank?

So, I went to CTS to look at their Affinity X blanks and will probably run with a 10ft 8in blank with a #3 tip for the subtle bites, followed by #4 in the mid sections to hold up on the cast with heavy flies and shot, and #5 butt section – necessarily delicate to brutal in one blank. I’m using the Rec recoil guides and downlocking reel seat for lightness.

How do you guys find Affinity X 4-weight lower sections cope with big fish/fast water? Do you think 5-weight butt sections might hold up better? I guess it’s a trade off between lightness and power. Any thoughts or experiences would be welcomed. Thanks.

Paul Gummer



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 02/11/2022 06:26PM by Paul Gummer.

Hi guys,

Has anyone fished the CTS Euro X rods (either the 2wt or 3wt)? I'm looking for any kind of information, feedback, or comparative frame of reference of how they fish/cast or load different sized beads/protect tippet/recover. I can't find anything online.

Thank you,

Jeff

I answered the other post, not an expert, short story, 11 ft. 3 wt. borrowed rod, fish to 5 lbs. in decent current, brilliant rod.

Thank you Spencer - understood!

Hi Jeff, I have a modified version of the #3 weight CTS Affinity X with lighter #2 weight tip. Have felt the #2 weight but not used it. The #3 weight with lighter tip can cover a broad range of fly/bead weights but its response is dependent on weight of flies/tungsten beads, distance to be cast and leader diameter. Add to that, depth, current strength, size of fish and there are many variables. I have used leaders from 0.30mm down to 0.18mm and there is a noticeable difference in ability to cast light beads. The micro leaders at 0.18mm or even lighter allow the rod to cast the equivalent of a single 3mm tungsten bead 30ft to 35ft from the angler. More than that needs more weight equivalent to a single 3.5mm tungsten bead. Thicker leaders are not as proportionately balanced, but they can happily deal with heavy flies such as 4mm tungsten beads. Fishing close with about 15 feet of line from rod tip to point fly is far more manageable with light flies down to a single 2.5mm tungsten bead. The #2 weight rod would deal with even lighter flies down to 2mm tungsten bead. Even finer micro leaders will give best presentation and minimise drag from line sag. Having said that, I had a great session with a single #20 CDC dry fly casting 30 feet with a long thick tapered mono leader of 0.30mm at tip to 0.57mm. In that case, aerialising the mass of leader took the tiny dry out, but then there's no line sag with a dry. The Affinity X blanks recover quickly and load smoothly, better than my name brand rods. One magical quality we found is that you can land fish quicker than many other rods – somehow, they subdue and control the fish better. The fine tip and smooth transition protects light tippets well too. Finally, put a couple of snake guides behind the tiptop to minimise line wrap and then single foot recoils. Ultralight recoil guides will enhance the action too. Sand your cork handle down to ultra slim around 23mm max at widest point to give more feel. So, overall, #2 for very light to moderate flies and down to 8X tippet and #3 for light to heavyish flies and down to 7X. Go well, Paul

Paul Gummer

Herb,

I have been requested to build a 10'6" 3-wt euro-nymph rod and this is the first I've seen available. How do I contact you and what is their price?

Rich

Richard,
Your email is hidden.
Email me at hladen@hotmail.com for special Rb.Org pricing.
I pay shipping from NZ. You will pay FedEx fee from me to you. In order to determine FedEx fee I will need your full address - whether it's residence or business - and your tele #.
Regards,
Herb

Thank you Paul Grummer - much appreciated and well stated.