Time is of equal or greater importance to cost. I have limited time for working on rods these days, so it would take me a while to get through it. Plus the limited free time I do have is not "free". I appreciate the advice, but I'm just looking for someone who can do the work. Thanks.
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I've already searched Tackleworks to no avail. I built a rod for a friend, and he recently broke the tip. He would like to get the tip section replaced, so the rod would have to go to Batson for fit-up, then a new section built up. The rod is a Rainshadow, 6', 2pc UL spinning. I can do the work, but though I could save him some time and expense in shipping since I'm in Albuquerque. Than
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Something to consider - size 16 concept guides start to get really tall for a fly rod. I don't have experience with 7wts, but I've built a number of 6's and to me a 12 seems fine. It really depends on what type on knots you use. Large loop-to-loop knots may demand a size 16. In that case I'd be using a traditional double foot, and I'd probably even add a tamer guide-- on a 7wt you'll never n
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If you want it to fit an REC reel seat, you should get the REC grip because it will have the correct sized cutout. I've had mixed results with thier cork quality. The best preformed grip I've ever seen in my life was an REC Super grade, but I've seen not-as-good Flor grade from them. It's just our lot in life, for those of us without a lathe, to have inconsistent cork grip quality.
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I guess that begs the question, how many fishermen are "serious", as a percentage of all fishermen? My guess is that most are not. Point being that there are PLENTY of fishermen who buy custom rods just for looks. In my own experience this has been the case. I can tout the benefits of performance until I'm blue in the face, but I've never made a sale until the person saw some of my
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The "fake" stuff I'm referring are impregnated, not stabilized(not really sure what the difference is, but its a distinction made by REC), and I think are a wood laminate. They are the straight grained pattern that come in red "rosewood", brown "walnut", black "ebony", or green, and are sold by many of the major brands. Didn't see any Ebony with REC, only
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Does anyone know who sells high quality ebony reel seat spacers? Not the fake impregnated stuff. I know Golden Witch has them, but I'm not interested in a cap-and-ring, I need an uplocking style to accomodate a fighting butt. If no one is selling them, would someone be interested in turning one for me for a reasonable price?
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Golden Witch
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I don't think St. Croix. "7+" and "8+" are a clue. I don't think we'll get Mudhole or thier supplier to reveal who makes them. Aaron, browse the blanks offered from the sponsors, you'll find a name brand with identical specs.
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Has anyone tried this with fly rods? What would you do? I generally build 5wts and heavier with ceramics and lighter rods with single foot wires (like a lot of othes do). But I was thinking that it seems like we could get a huge benefit by putting ceramic guides on the lower 1/2 where there is more line slap, and wires on the tip half to keep it light. I think the middle line weights, 4-6
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I don't know about kevlar thread, but you can get Recoils directly from REC's website, link on the left.
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I stand corrected. I've never seen those white flies, but the caddis we have around here don't stay still long enough for a trout to think about snaching it airborne.
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I would agree with what Steve is saying. Trout won't get airborn to pick a mid-flight insect, but they do leave the water when they are charging at an instect they think might get away from the surface. So look to change your presentation first. Soft hackle flies are great for the emergence, or if the swarm is already over the water(egg laying stage), try skating the fly, similar technique to
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Thanks All, sounds like I know what I gotta do, re-wrap.
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Logically that makes sense, but I've never used locking wraps on fly rods becuase I don't care for the look. I've never had a problem, but this is the first time using silk and not using a 2-part finish, so I'd have to look at those factors as likely culprits. I did back down my thread tension so as not to get silk fuzies.
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I got my first warrantee return today :( A few of the guides slid right out of the wraps. I'm not exactly sure what caused the problem, and I'm not exactly sure how to fix it, so I could really use some help. Here's the situation: A fly rod with ceramic guides, using YLI 100# silk, and finishing with 5 coats of rod varnish(822), no locking wrap. I was going for a very low-profile wrap.
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Nicholas, A question that no one has yet asked, which should have been the first question-- what size lures/bait are you using? This is what should determine what weight of blank. There's a rule of thumb to convert a fly line weight to a lure weight, but I don't know what that is off hand. My guess is that if you're casting a 1/8oz lure you'll want more like a 3 or 4 wt. Also, playing a s
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Not a fix for you current rods, but on your next rod you may want to try a Golden Witch cap and ring. They claim that the inside tapering of the ring locks the reel in place much better than traditional deigns. I used on my last project-- although I didn't get to fish with it, it felt very solid when I slipped a reel on. The asethics of their seats are among the best and the cost isn't too bad
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Alton, Even though the legs were pre-ground, you still need to do some prepping on your own. There tons of info on this board on how to do that. Be very careful with the RSF guides, If you grind past the point where the legs are soldered together, the two legs may spring apart on you.
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As the saying goes, "if you like a Sage, buy a Sage"; the same is true for Winstons. If you like IIX, find a place that sells it, don't limit yourself to what your regular retailer carries. Just my 2 cents.
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Is anyone else having trouble getting ahold of Decal Connection? For some reason, thier web page won't load for me, and my emails keep getting bounced back. Is it just my connection, or do they have a problem on thier end?
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I guess the question is are you going for budget or premium? If you're going budget, I'd get the 1-piece grip/seat from Jann's NetCraft. For guides I'd use single foot wire guide. You can probably get everything you need from Janns for under $40. For Premium ultralight components, look to REC. Their PLRN seat is very nice and really light. Then use thier Recoil light wire guides, these ar
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Marvin, I've been staining with Minwax with a first coat, and following with 2 or 3 coats of Tru-Oil, and I'm very happy with the results. The final color is fairly predictable, at least consistent once you know how one color looks on cork. I've also found this to be very durable. Its almost impossible to scratch the stain without gouging the cork.
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Roger, you're probably not finding what you want because you'r looking for a casting blank. I don't know of any manufacturer who makes a 2 piece casting blank. So just build a casting rod on a 2-piece spinning blank. The only difference will be that the spinning blank probably won't have a fast of an action. Any of the brands mentioned above will have what you're looking for.
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Calvin, Don't confuse lip service with customer service. I've orderd from him twice, and each time it was painfull to get my order. Yes, he's always very friendly to talk to, and makes assurances that he's just about to send you the goods. But then he doesn't. All I can say is keep calling and leaving messages. On my last order, I had to threaten to contact my bank's consumer fraud dep
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Dan Craft-- Where can I find a list of your FTL blanks with prices? Also, do you have a similar list for the new Sig V blanks yet? Thanks, Daniel.
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Rootbeer: Minwax Dark Walnut That may be a shade darker than what you want, but minwax is cheap enough that you can grab a few cans and experiment. The lighter one is stained with minwax pickled oak, and both are treated with Truoil.
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I think REC makes a 5.5" or 6" cigar grip.
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I checked with him first, and he's out of the 866-2's.
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Hi, I'm wondering if anyone can suggest some alternate blanks for an All-Star Austin 8'6" 6wt. Looking for something around the $100 mark. The replies aren't for me, but for a friend for whom I'm going to build the rod, to help him make his decision-- so suggestions to compare CCS data won't be helpful. Thanks a bunch, Daniel.
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