Fly lines are so varied in weights and tapers nowadays that it is hard to recommend particular lines. If you are looking for a true AFFTA compliant fly line, the cortland 444 or 444SL are good choices that have stood the test of time. The 444 is peach color, has a short front taper which loads up close and is available in WF or DT. The 444 SL is mint green, has a longer front taper and is a littl
Forum: rodboard

I have one built up gathering dust that I may be coaxed into parting with. Send me a message Tony
Forum: rodboard

I also used the peel and stick decals and was very pleased
Forum: rodboard

It shouldn't have broke. Had to be a defect or damaged. Get it fixed and it will not likely happen again with reasonable care in handling. Anything more durable isn't going to cast like a z-axis.
Forum: rodboard

I hope you don't plan on saving money with that lathe! Decent cork is expensive and some that is expensive isn't very good at all. If you don't want any to use any filler be prepared to pay$2-3+ per ring and still have to sort some out. Use the cheapest stuff you can find to practice. If you buy in quantity, sort them out keeping the best ones for premium rods. Rubberized and burl cork can b
Forum: rodboard

I have cast the txl 7'10" 3 and 4 wts and they are sweet (aside from that color). The lightest line wt rod I own is a Dan Craft 6'10" one wt. It casts nicely with flies #18 and under and leaders no more than 9 ft. out to about 35' with no breeze.I use it with a rio pocket water wf 1. It is a blast with little brookies but very limited and specialized in my opinion. I can't imagine an
Forum: rodboard

Bellinger recommends not using reels with stainless steel feet on their titanium reel seats. I guess aluminum is okay.
Forum: rodboard

There are not a lot of choices for premium 2 piece blanks. They seem to be going the way of the dinosaurs. Newer multi-piece (even some 5 piece) rods flex smoothly. Of course the best way to choose the action that is perfect is for the user to cast the rod. The zxl I don't believe is available in 7' 4wt. The txl, is but in three pc. I've cast the 7' 10 inch 3 and 4 wt rods at a show. They wer
Forum: rodboard

Todd, thanks for the clarification and for the review link. 2.2 oz from 1.7 is 1/2 oz difference or about a 30% increase in weight! That's not the same rod anymore. The review is based on the prototype so I don't think it is valid. I think I'll wait the accurate weights are published on the website before I purchase one. I'd remove those published weights. I wouldn't want to see someone ac
Forum: rodboard

I find it difficult to believe the MHX fly rod blank wts advertised on mudhole's website. For instance the 9' 4 pc 10wt is only 1.7oz. The orvis helios is 2.25 and sage z axis 2oz, etc. How does Mudhole's house brand step ahead of the big guys?
Forum: rodboard

All gatti blanks can't be lumped into one. There are several series. the G series are the lower end. The FRHP II is the high end super light weight premiums. I have a 8'6" 4 wt in the original FRHP version which is supposed to be the fragile one that they improved on with the second series. I've hit overhead branches while casting, caught the tip on branches walking through the woods, lande
Forum: rodboard

The hook and hackle hhx blanks are batson 4pc rx8's in a mat black finish and reasonably priced. I build a 9' 8wt for the salt and I love it. Super fast, light and smooth and durable.
Forum: rodboard

I'd recommend bying a set of benjamins best or harbor freight HSS tools. They really do work well and will give you a good variety to try out. Also great to practice sharpening on without worrying about grinding away an expensive tool. When you know what works best for you and you know how to sharpen it, then buy Crown or Sorby. You can then use the cheaper tools to grind into specialty tools
Forum: rodboard

tru-oil is a pre catalysed oil finish. It is made by Birchwood-Casey for gun stocks. It dries very quickly, is available in small bottles and has a short shelf life. It is available at some Walmart stores, gun shops or on their website. Tony
Forum: rodboard

I have a few Gatti rods. I have a FR 8'4wt that is too soft in the butt and sloppy for me. The FRHP 8'6" 4wt is the ultimate 4wt fly rod. Fishes well near and far, dead on accurate, and the lightest 4wt rod I've ever touched. I also have the Dan Craft 8'9" Sig V. Nice rod but doesn't fish as well for me, especially up close. It's gathering dust. At about 1/3 the price of the FRHP it
Forum: rodboard

hook and hackle has an im6 7'9" 3wt in a 2pc that is an excellent kit in green or matte black with components, rod sock and aluminum tube for $90. It is moderate action. also a 7'6" 4wt 4pc for $106.Bet it will be fine with a 3 wt. Best deal around if you like mod action. The tiger eye blanks come in 7'6" 4pc 3/4 wt and are Mod Fast and better suit my style. The kit components ar
Forum: rodboard

The belt sander works fine but I prefer a hollow grind. The very best suggestion I have is to buy an 8" slow or variable speed grinder with coarse and fine Alm oxide wheels.The wood craft is very good. Get a set of cheap Harbor Freight or Penn State high speed steel (HSS) turning tools and learn to sharpen by hand without a jig. Read up on it, practice, and experiment. It's not that hard
Forum: rodboard

What do you want to hold with the chuck? Since you bought a Wilton, I take it you're looking to get away cheap. If you just want to hold Andy's mandrels, this is probably your cheapest way out ($49): If you plan to turn reel seats you'll also need a Jacobs chuck unless you have a drill press. The Nova G3 is a 4 jaw chuck and though excellent, is overkill for that lathe. There many opti
Forum: rodboard

Hook and Hackle (rx7) 7'6" or 8' 5wt 4pc kit with sock and powder coated aluminum rod tube for less than $90! Thats only about $20 more than the blank itself and the hardware is pretty decent. The green blanks are very pretty and quite light with nice feel. The action is definately more moderate than fast. Too slow for my taste but sounds just right for your kids. The Tiger Eye blanks f
Forum: rodboard

I have not tried the g4's however I own three Gatti rods and would buy or build another in an instant. (soon) The FRHP is the best rod I've ever fished with. As far as bad reputations, I'd take that with a grain of salt. The FRHP has a bad reputation for breaking. I've stepped on this rod, hit it with bead heads, bent it backwards many times in the brush on trails, and generally not treated th
Forum: rodboard