Thank you Tom
Forum: rodboard

I know this topic has been dissected and reassembled on here a multitude of times but please be patient with me, I did read all four parts of the CCS treatise in the library and did my due diligence with the "search" function. I have been fly fishing for over 50,yrs. and have done a lot of experimentation with different lines on different rods but I have never used the CCS to determine
Forum: rodboard

I am sure many of you are aware of it but for those that aren't I read some good news in Hatch magazine today. St Croix is is getting back into the fly rod business, 2023 will bring a full lineup of rods, hopefully this comes to fruition. According to the article there will be blanks for rod builders as well, there was no info on whether they would be made, and or completed in the Mexican
Forum: rodboard

I used the 3 wt 10 ft Proof blank and am extremely satisfied. Great nymphing blank but versatile enough for wets and small streamers with regular fly line Quality blank and components at a reasonable cost. Matt is very knowledgeable and easy to work with
Forum: rodboard

Spar varnish does a good job after a cleaning with a Magic Eraser?
Forum: rodboard

Every forum from time to time has a "if it ain't made in America I ain't buying it" discussion/rant. This may come as a shock to some but we live in a global economy and just as we sell commodities, products, and services world wide other nations are selling here. You can complain about clothing at Walmart or Nieman - Marcus but then make sure you also complain about the soybean farmer
Forum: rodboard

Several days ago I posted an inquiry concerning using metallic embroidery thread for trim thread. I was cautioned to test it before using it on the rod I am currently working on, I always planned on doing that. I did several practice wraps on an old graphite spinning rod and used the embroidery thread, coated it twice with Thread Master Lite and dried it on my rotating dryer for four hours, it l
Forum: rodboard

Thank you Tom for your belief in my ability to behave my self, but sometimes....... The positive replies concerning the advantages of kits have been numerous and very articulate, more than I could do. Discussions like this are akin to the time tested favorite " if your not fishing with a #20 dry fly on a classic cane rod your not really fly fishing" Being patronizing and condescending
Forum: rodboard

Using a kit is "like painting by the numbers"? Because I prefer not to get banned from the forum I will just let that one sit there and marinate with no comment.
Forum: rodboard

I always planned on testing on an old spinning rod I have, good advice about the possibility of silicone, didn't think of that. Package says it's 100% polyester so I think it will work, we shall see. I was really hoping someone in the forum had tried it and could give me a yea or nay but judging from the comments apparently that is not the case. I will try it and report back so hopefully others c
Forum: rodboard

I recently ordered a blank and material for a rod build, after I placed the order I realized I had forgot to order trim thread. The shipping cost on one spool would be more than the thread so I decided this rod didnt need any trim. While I was tying some flies I had an epiphany (maybe or maybe not) I use metallic embroidery thread for for ribbing a lot of nymphs and flymphs, this thread is made
Forum: rodboard

Just completed the extension on my 8 wt, used the video Herb referenced and I think it came out great. I was going to put a picture on here but apparently this site is not set up so you can attach pictures. Thanks again Herb, I will try and send you an email with an attachment
Forum: rodboard

Thanks Herb, I think I have (or a fishing buddy of mine) has what I need but I will keep your offer in mind. You have been a great help!!!!
Forum: rodboard

Herb, That tutorial from outdoors.com explains it very well, I actually think even I could do this. Im going to try it, thanks for your help!!
Forum: rodboard

Herb, I just watched the OPST video you suggested and that is exactly what I envisioned, looks like it might be 3-4 inches long and you are correct on this video it looks "factory installed" I need to find someone local to help me with it when I screw it up
Forum: rodboard

Thanks again Herb, the rod in question is a TFO 8 wt, one of the best 8 weights I have ever used regardless of price. I havent watched the video you referenced but I am going to do that right now. I think you are right the best solution probably would be to install a new longer FB on the rod. I have no qualms with that solution Im just not sure my rod building skill set is up to the task. Tha
Forum: rodboard

Herb, I would be the first one to admit my double haul technique is sorely lacking but that is not the issue. My shoulder problem is pre existing and is there regardless of how I cast, I just find it easier and more efficient to roll cast and single hand spey cast as I swing flies or streamers, not to mention the inevitable stream side trees and brush ever lurking to gobble up my flies. I am not
Forum: rodboard

While steelhead fishing yesterday with a 9 ft, 8 wt I was having trouble reaching water on the far side of the river. I have a bad shoulder and am basically a mediocre caster so this was not a new situation for me. This particular 8 wt has a short fighting butt so I was able to grasp it and use the rod as a "poor mans spey rod" I was pleased at the distance I could now achieve with le
Forum: rodboard

I think you can buy them at most places that sell rod building components. Its not spongy like the EVA we are used to seeing, I'm going to try it will let you know
Forum: rodboard

Anyone use the new generation EVA grips or reel inserts? If so your thoughts and opinion please. Thanks
Forum: rodboard

I am sure my missteps with this reel seat are providing comic relief for those of you hunkered down at home due to the cold, Covid, or whatever so let me continue. I took Dans advice and carefully cut off about 1/16 inch of the barrel and it worked, the lock nut spun on just like new!! BUT. When I was doing my boiling thingy yesterday the maple insert absorbed water and swelled and now the col
Forum: rodboard

The wood insert is not epoxied to the blank just the threaded barrel to the wood insert so there is no problem with harming the integrity of the blank. Apparently the wood does not conduct the heat adequately or it takes more than 212 F. I'm going to try and cut 1/16 of an inch off to reach the threads and if that doesn't work I will just order a new reel seat. I have made mistakes that cost me m
Forum: rodboard

I thought about that Dan but I honestly believed I could heat it and twist it off, Im not sure you could get a good even cut so it would thread, but if a heat gun isnt feasible I will try cutting it before I purchase a new reel seat. Its not doing me any good the way it is. Thanks
Forum: rodboard

I used U40 rod bond epoxy to attach the threaded barrel to a wooden insert for a fly rod handle, unfortunately I am a dummy and put it on the wrong way which means the lock nut will not thread on it. I wasnt too concerned (embarrassed yes but not concerned) because I thought I could dip it in boilng water and the epoxy would loosen so I could twist it off. Wrong!! I fought it for an hour, at one
Forum: rodboard

I think the Legend Elite is the only St Croix rod to currently use SCV carbon and you can still get them from St Croix in WI, I think. You are correct the Imperial was SCIV in the butt and mid sections with SCII for the tip, made it more of a mod/fast blank in comparison to the Elite. I own 2 Legend Elites and they are great rods but fast, if you want to throw 60 feet of line effortlessly they wi
Forum: rodboard

I just built a nymph rod on a 10 ft 3 wt blank from Proof Fly Fishing, nice blank, good choice of hardware and excellent service. Price is reasonable, take a look at his website
Forum: rodboard

I have quite a few St Croix fly rods and always found them to be excellent rods especially for the money. I had a rod geek rep tell me that their carbon 4 SC IV blanks were mirror images of the Imperial blank from St Croix. A friend of mine built a 5 wt on this blank from rod geeks and it certainly looked and cast like the old Imperial. IMO St Croix Imperial rods were the best mid price rods yo
Forum: rodboard

Yes I know what the term nitpick means, I just dont know what it has to do with this thread. My original question was nitpicking? Some of the replies were nitpicking? I think I asked a credible question, people gave their measured and objective opinions and I believe I learned something and maybe someone else did as well
Forum: rodboard

Picking nits?? You lost me
Forum: rodboard

Thank you
Forum: rodboard