looking to see if anyone coming to the expo might have a Batson IF793-4 IN THE OG GREEN 7-9" 3WT 4 PC Looking to build this rod, will be at expo on Saturday. thanks Eric
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any of our vendors have the hook keepers for Southbend 359 bamboo rods ? will also need 1 new stripper guide. Bought 2 at a shop the other day one 8.6" model,and one 9' model. 8.6" is missing stripper guide and hook keeper. was pretty stoked got both for 50.00. both had 2 tips (slightly shorter than original as is common) and both had original rod socks with labels. will also be lookin
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I built one last winter. Don't have the 2pc to compare to but this is a great small stream rod. I have a 3wt-dt line on it and it casts very well for a short rod. I have a lamiglas 7'-3wt 3pc that is a little faster but not much. I keep going to it (forecast)for backpacking due to 21" pack size. absolutely no complaints, used single foot alps guides. I'd have to look at my build sheet for
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I built the forcast 662-4 last winter, fine little rod, I have it overlined with 3dt line and action is very traditional in my view. I like a slower rod myself (more forgiving) have brought some nice little wild fish to hand with it and am thouroughly pleased. breakdown length is 21" I believe. my .02 Eric
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I was a new subscriber and received mine 12/23 great magazine. Already looking forward to next issue. thanks Eric
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fantastic news. have been waiting to here something on the fly blanks. Eric
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I fly fish ponds regularly in the warm months for bass and bream. Fish out of my kayak. 8-1/2 will do it, but really like to use the longest rod possible for the boat. You are closer to the water and your backcast will drop and slap behind you if you don't keep tip pointed up. 5wt is plenty of rod, just might want to consider going to one of the longer models for ease of casting distance. Go
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I built my own from library instructions. use the rubber bands (actually soft elastic hair ties). They don't slip. Found the rubber bands left residue on rod blank. Even though I clean them after wrapping . less is more. very funtional works for me. regards Eric
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COOL! last year was my first since it was held together with the Flyfishing show in Charlotte. I hope it will be the first of many. Now that I've got a couple of rods under my belt, there a so many avenues to explore. thanks for all your hard work. Eric
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Just built F662-4 6-6 2wt 4pc, fished it sunday in a small wild stream near Grandfather's Mtn. performed great. Easily cast 35 feet no problem, though most cast average around 15-20 ft on a small brookie stream like that. I have it overlined w/ 4DT right now but have some Rio 3wt DT in route, and I think performance will improve for dry fly fishing. This is the only foreast blank so far but
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Sorry misread your post as 7 ft 4wt. Haven't built 7wt yet. I still don't think you'll be dissapointed in the Batson products, and old flyfisher/builder told me when I first started that even the low end blanks today are better than ever, and most of us never learn to cast well enough to reach even the low ends rod potential... he was a casting instructor as well. good luck with whatever you
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I am a newb too! just finished my second build, first was unknown mfg 8-6" 5wt 4pc, blank was $15, very good action similar to old Sage DS2 in my arsenal. 2nd was Forecast F6-6" 4pc-2wt. blank $27.00 fantastic little brookie rod. I would suggest any rod from Batson/Forecast. Also Sevier has a Tigereye blank 7-4wt I have been looking at, comes highly reccomended I believe Schneiders
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You may want to look at the Sage website, I beleive they are now making 2 models specifically noted as bass rods, short and I believe 6 or 7 wts, may give you some ideas. Eric
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I used the flexcoat slow cure epoxy. Eric
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The flexcoat 2 part rod expoxy. What if I seal over rod epoxy with thin coay of correct finish ? Eric
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In my enthusiam to finish my second rod. I coated my guide wraps with rod expoxy. I did measure precise and mix well. Just didn't dawn on me till 2 hours later that had I had used wrong material. It dried clear as a bell and looks fine ? Am I going to have big problems with this ?? I hate the thought that I might have screwed up a perfectly good build by this error. What's the bad news
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I wrapped a sample of FH Golden Rod and Blue Dun on an old high gloss black scrap I had. Used 2 coats of CP and let dry overnight. I put the FC high build on next day and the results were quite good, much better than I thought color held up very well with no discernable transparency. As Tom noted in his response. Wraps must be very tight, the smallest gap does show up. So I'm off to wra
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will I have the same issue if I go with a yellow metallic option ??? Eric
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Have dark blue forecast blank. Want to use FishHawk Goldenrod (bright yellow) for trim bands. I will be using CP. Am I going to have problems with this keeping good color ??? If so solutions ? thanks Eric
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Tom, the 40" mark comes just below where the female end would mate to male on the male end, probably leave a 1/4-3/8" between the two. I have room for it, but seems really close to joint. That's why i asked about moving. So you think moving forward is better than backwards towards the butt ? Seems the female end would be less strong ? Of course I don't know that's why I'm asking.
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O.K. working on my second build Forecast 662-4 blank (6-6"2wt-4pc) my guide spacing calls for last 2 guides (stripper and next one) at 40" and 50" from tip top. the 40" hits right at male end of ferrule joint, If I back up to 40-1/2" shall I move stripper to 50-1/2" or leave at 50". Using single foot guides but stripper has 2 feet. thanks Eric
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On my first build got the standard flex coat Hy-build. Results were good but seem a little uneven in places. Is the Lite formula easier to work with ? I did 2 coats (I don't see how a rookie can get good final results with just one coat ) I know everyone has opinions ( that's what I'm looking for.) Thanks for all your help this board has been a tremondous learning tool. Eric ps. getting re
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I just finished my first fly rod. Used standard snake guides, my next build I have SF guides, Is it best to use glue stick for attaching to blank prior to wrapping ? I see flex coat has a flexible low melt point for this application ? what methods are suggested to hold in place for wrapping ? thanks Eric
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I have been told by two different sources, a long time rod builder and fly fisherman, and a long time casting instructor. "most fly fisherman invest more in quality rods that their skills will never match" I was told if I master the skills to cast even the low end rods built nowadays. I would be a tremendous caster. The quality of graphite blanks today far exceeds most flyfisherman'
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I just got the 6-6 2 wt 4pc from Batson at the expo, also got the new YR style reel seat in gunsmoke finish with the burl maple insert. I got thehalf wells with burl accents to go with it. Most folks like a full cork grip with slide bands for small rods. I'm just not a fan of the sliding bands. if I'm packing in I want things locked down and secure. Custom Tackle Supply and Batson helped me
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Yep, I have the Backlash ones for size A. They have worked well. I think maybe the tension and longer tag may be the culprit on the smaller guide wraps.. New at this have to learn the tricks. thanks for the help all. Eric
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I haven't decreased my tension as guides get smaller, will try that. all in all has turned out well for a first build. I got enough thread through and was able to pull wrap back al ittle and snip off. Then got rid of fuzzies w/ lighter. Just got a couple more small ones to go. Then my hook keeper and ferrule wraps. Just did one color for this one. thanks for the help. Eric
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Have been wrapping guides on my first rod. and things having gone well for a rookie, last night on some of the smaller guides (fly rod) had and issue with the thread seeming to hang up and then break into when I was trying to pull through the tag end on the finish. I'm using size A thread. and one of the little pulls I got at the rod show. Didin't have this issue on any of the first about 5 gui
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Brother Ken Your eyes are older than mine ! Glad to see you on the board. Good luck fishing this weekend. Your younger brother... Eric
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Wife and I will drive up early Saturday morning. Staying at the hotel Saturday night and visiting again on Sunday This will be my first expo since the split from the fly fishing show in Charlotte a few years back. Very excited to finally be working on a project and shopping for next one, and the seminars too! Eric
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