Love the look of the SBSS. If my builder can do it, or is willing to, that's the one that I'll go for. Thanks for all the advice. Simon
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Gentlemen, I'm contemplating getting a new u/l spinning rod built. It'll be based on an Orvis Helios Ion 6' #2 fly stick (7/8oz as a fully built fly rod). Guides are Fuji Ti micros, 6+ tip top. My questions are, what reel seat will be best to keep the weight to the minimum, excluding Tennessee, and what handle material would you recommend? Thanks in advance. Simon
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Gentlemen, I recently had another rod built to my own spec, however, since collection I've changed my mind on the finish. I dictated a gloss finish, but have now decided I'd rather have it in matt. Is there an easy fix to flat back a fully built rod. Cheers. Simon
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Gentlemen, I'm having another fly stick built and I'm hoping that you can point me in the direction of a supplier of purple slip rings, fly reel seats and winding checks. They'd have to be willing to ship to England as over here there is nothing available. Thanks in advance. Simon
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Guys, I have a 4pc, 6' #2 fly rod that needs re-ringing. My question is, do I need a guide on each joint, or are the joints irrelavent to guide placement? Thanks in advance. Simon.
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I collected my first spiral from my builder 3 weeks ago, a 6' Harrison blank with a lure range of 0.5oz - 1.5oz. I'm afraid that I don't have the time, equipment, space or dexterity to do the build, so I source the blank etc. myself and supply my builder with a very full spec. He then sticks it all together for me. For me this works really well, as I get the rod of my choice, built 100% to my
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I've just come back from my builder. I source the blanks etc, and he builds my rods 100% to my design and specifications, (I'm afraid I don't have the equipment, space or dexterity to meet my own standards). Anyway on the 6', 14g-42g spiral stick that he's building for me, I have 12" to the rear of the trigger, this comes in at approx 2" short of my elbow. For heavier rods I take it to
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Steve, It's a 6' light / medium casting rod. I'll be throwing lures between 0.5-1.5oz. SImon
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Guys, On a baitcaster split grip, what length of cork would you recommend directly behind the reel seat. I'm lookiing at 1" to the front of the seat, with an overall length of 13" to the rear of the spool centre? The butt grip is to be 3.5". Thanks in advance. Simon C. Joseph
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Check out the Abel range. In my view there are none better. I have three, so maybe I am a tad biased. Simon
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Robert, Here's the link for Harrison Advanced Rods. I have had a lot of rods built on Harrison blanks and I really can't fault them, two more blanks are at my builders as I type. I've also had a couple of jerkbait rods built on Century's. Again they're spot on. Here's the link. Simon
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Guy's , Another quick question. Would you feel that a Fuji LNSG #10 is too small for a butt guide. I only ask as previously I've never gone smaller than a #12, but the blank to be built is pretty slim and I'd like to keep things light.
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Tom, Altering the guide sizes slightly, what would you think of a #10 butt, 2x #8 transition gudes followed by #7, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6 plus tip top on the unerside? All LNSG's. Simon.
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Guys, Thanks for the rapid responses. Any comments on style of guide for a two guide transition, i.e. LNSG or low fly guides. The set up is a seven guide plus tip top. The guide sizes I'm planning are 12, 8, 7, 6, 6, 6, 6. If keeping with the LNSG's, I thought that the transition guides would be 10 and 8 placed at 60 and 120 degrees respectively. If going for LSG fly guides, what sizes d
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Morning all, Right, I know I'll be put against the wall and shot for this one, but here it goes. I'm just speccing up another 6' casting rod rated up to 1.5oz. Naturally it will be spiral, but I'm toying with a two or three guide transition on the grounds of aesthetics. For the size of fish that I'm hitting torque on these guides will not be an issue. My question is, will a two / three
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I can't comment on reels of this size, but for 99% of my fly fishing from trout to pike I use Abel. The only exception is a Gilmore, another superb reel. Spend the$ and go for quality. Simon
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Just a quick enquiry. What are you views on spining rods, especially matching the spine on multi section blanks, and the easiest way to do the job. The method that I employ is to rest the butt of the blank / section on a sheet of glass, support the tip and apply pressure to the middle. I have always said that spining is a necessity, but having read some recent threads I'm not so sure.
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Evening all, I plan to use Fuji Concept LNSG guides on few rods that are to be built over the coming months. My question is, what guide type should I use for the bumper guide? Should I stick with the LNSG's or is there a better alternative? Simon C. Joseph
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For those of you that work in inches, the guide spacings to the nearest 10th on an inch from the tip top are: 4.5 / 9.7 / 15.5 / 22.2 / 29.7 / 38.3 / 48. The bumper will be at 43.1". I hope this makes thing a bit clearer. Simon
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Morning all, I've just specced up my first bumper wrap ready for the build. The blank is a Harrison 6'6 (the tip of a 13' 3.5lb test curve carp rod). I'm planning on using 7 Fuji NSG's plus tip top. The butt guide is to be a #20 and the bumper a #8. The spacings from tip guide in cm are: 11.5 / 24.6 / 39.4 / 56.3 / 75.5 / 97.2 / 122. The bumper will be at 109.6cm. An abbreviated / split co
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Can back issues be shipped to England?
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As above! An inspiration.
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Morning all, Can anyone give me any details on the various types of spiral wraps that are in use (pics would be nice). I'm planning three new rods over the next few months all of which will be spiral. I intend to use the simple / bumper wrap, but it would be nice to know what alternatives there are, especially the more aesthetically pleasing. Many thanks in advance. Simon C. Joseph.
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Thanks to you all for your rapid replies. It seriously looks like I'll be going for the Recoils. For me line hiss isn't an issue, light weight and durability are. Thanks once again. Simon.
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Evening all, Whilst browsing the Cabela's site, I saw that some of their own brand rods, the XML Ti range, use Titanium wire Recoil guides. What are your views on these guides with regard to quality and longevity? I am planning on having 6' ultra light built and am contemplating these guides as an alternative to Fuji's etc. It seems weird having a guide that doesn't have a ceramic line
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Chris, I know what you mean about Snap Beans being obscure. I've been using them for possibly 5-6 years, and only know of the one supplier in England. However, fortune has seen fit to smile on me as I haven't lost a single one over this period. For me they are a must have lure. I've managed to catch a lot of good fish with them including pike to 16lbs. On one little trout stream that I fish th
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I'd definately go with fitting the hand rather than the blank. I had a lovely little ultra light with a tiny Fuji seat. It looked wonderful with Cocobolo cappings etc. In use however, being so small it gave me dreadful cramp in the fingers after prolonged use.
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Steve, Here's the web address for Harris Angling. You'll find the Snap Beans in the ultra light section. They're made by Yo-Zuri. Simon.
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Morning all, Just wonderng what you guys think of the blanks from Pac Bay. A friend of mine is holds the agency for them here in England & I'm contemplating using one if their 6' ultra light or extra light offerings. Also, would a spin jig blank be suitable for throwning micro cranks like snap beans etc, or would I be best advised to go for a spinning blank? Thanks in advance. Sim
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Tom, had a thought over night. What happens when using various reels on the one rod, the intersect points are bound to be different? How can you factor this in to the guide placements? Obviously if purchasing a rod "off the shelf" the manufacturer can't tell what reel will be used on the rod. Simon
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