I’ve just received two NFC LMX FAF 1003-4 blanks. I’d like grip and guide recommendations for this rod. Is the build done any differently than a traditional fly rod.? I’d like to do the build justice and have a unique, correctly built euro rod. Comments and suggestions welcome!

For euro rods I prefer a little longer grip, say 8”. Also many prefer to run their reel seat down locking to help position the weight further down the rod. This helps with balance in keeping the tip up. I also like a fighting butt on all euro nymph rods of about 1.25 to 1.5”.

I’d tape up the reel seat in both orientations on the rod and see if you can feel the difference.

I just got the blanks yesterday an I bought all of the FANY (euronymph) blanks to test.

Basically the grip is a half-well with a quite narrow part in the front.

If you are going with the down locking option, the challenge always seems to be about finding the reel seat, grip and fighting butt combination. You could just opt for one of these and call it a day... [www.flyrodcrafters.com]
I frankly spent more time trying to find the combination I wanted.

For guides, opt for the RSFX. Take your time with a Dremel to get these guides ready for wrapping.

You need to adjust the amount of guides and since there are no tables from NFC's website you'll have to pick your own.
I am thinking the following could do the job. I don't have a recommendation on positioning yet.

Tiptop REC_RSFX#2 RSFX#2 RSFX#2 RSFX#2 RSFX#3 RSFX#3 RSFX#4 RSFX#4 RSFX#5 RSFX#5 RSFX#6 Fuji single foot in size 10 (Maybe Fuji LS or LNS if you prefer double foot.)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/06/2024 01:02PM by Ben Lori.

I just picked up an 1103 that I’ll be turning into a trout spey rod. Really looking forward to it. Probably go with a 10” grip, and 4” butt handle. Which is why I’m thinking of extending the blank 4”.

Ben Lori Wrote:
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> I just got the blanks yesterday an I bought all of
> the FANY (euronymph) blanks to test.
>
>

Hi Ben - Did you get only the 11' rods or did you get any of the 10' rods?

If you did get the 10' how is the dampening/recovery compared to the 11' 2wt?

Thanks

I have found this to be a good guide spacing tool: [www.hexrod.net]

For ESN rods, the issue for the rod maker is: do you want to place the stripper guide the standard 32" from the butt and locate it near the bottom of the second section of the rod (if 4 piece); or do you want to place it on the butt section closer to the grip in order to eliminate what some call "line sag?"

I don't think there is a right or a wrong, just a preference, and OEMs go either route depending on the company, with more lately going to a stripper on the butt section.

Sage on their earlier edition 10' 3 wt went this way: [www.flyshack.com]

That's about as far from the butt end as I have seen on an ESN rod.

Proof Fly Fishing suggests this for a 10 ft. 3 wt: [www.proofflyfishing.com]

And this for an 11 ft. 3/4 this: [www.proofflyfishing.com]

Scroll down on both to see the placement recommendations.

The 10-foot rod has 11 guides, the 11-foot rod has 12 guides. Some rod makers prefer more guides on ESN rods and I have seen up to 15. That seems excessive to me. If you want a more traditional guide spacing format, I'd copy that from Sage. If you want a stripper on the butt section go with what Proof suggests. I think Proof uses the formula from the Hexrod site posted above.

I have an older 10" 3wt blank that I will soon be making for use as: 1) ESN rod; and 2) single-handed trout spey. I have all the components and am just mulling where i want the stripper to be placed.