Thanks, guys. I can always count on help on this board. Always good advice and quick responses. I have placed my order for the Forecast RX6 blank, recoil guides, top and stripper. These should be closer to bullet proof than others for a rambunctious boy. Also ordered a 6.5" cigar grip not yet inletted.. I will most likely need some advice on how to inlet a cigar grip when the inletting
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I am interested in building a fly rod for my Grandson (still too young to cast) and have been looking at the American Tackle Matrix, Pac Bay Rainforest and Forecast RX6 blanks. The rod will be a 7'6' four weght in 2pc. Do any of you experts have a history with any or all of these blanks and can make a recomendation? If you have other blank suggestions please feel free to fire away. I plan on u
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Kevin, If you keep all 3 sections egual length, this blank will measure closer to 8' 11" than to the list of 8' 9". I recently built one of these for my 13 year old grand daughter using REC Recoil light wire snakes. I kept wraps to a minimum as well as the epoxy coatings as light as possible. This is an amazing rod, exceptionally light weight and responsive. It will cast both a 4 or
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I have used all three. I consider REC to be the gold standard with Struble close behind. Pac Bay, well that is another story. Not in the same class as the other two. I have also used Bellinger and they make a nice product. I prefer to use colorful and highly figured wood inserts and REC has always provided exceptional pieces. Regards, Bill
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The sage colors are Gudebrod rust for the guide wraps with metallic gold and black as the trim.. I got this info from Sage when I built my wife's TCR. Bill
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It will be difficult to find a better blank than the Sage XP 690-4. A little "$pendy" but for the purposes you have listed, the Sage 6 weights are excellent. Bill
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I don't get it! Sure the tiptop weight is minimal, but on a 3 pc rod there will most likely be 6 guides in the top section in addition to the tiptop. (assuming a 8 1/2 to 9 foot rod) The added weight is mostly located in the one section where it will have the most negative effect. Remember RECOVERY! It is to me the difference between building a "drafthorse" or a "thorobred"
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Gerry, I don't think it is the total amount of weight savings as much as where the weight is saved. In this case the weight savings all falls in front of your hand and much of it is in the tip section as that is where most of the guides fall. I am absolutely convinced that I could feel that 1/3+ oz on a small weight rod up to a 4 or 5 weight and will gladly pay for the weight savings. Also,
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Gentlemen, Thanks for all the most helpful information, much more than I expected. I have some experience with the Dan Craft blanks, having built on the 8'9" four weight which I use alot. Interestingly, that blank actually made up into a 8'11" rod and there are ocassions when it is just too much of a tool. The smaller 8'4" sounds like it would fill a niche for me. I have a ult
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I have searched for info on this blank and have not turned up specific data on it's line rating other than the CC information, (which might as well be in Greek) but if I am intrepreting correctly, this blank is closer to a 5wt than a 4 and no where near a three. Is that consistent with those of you that have built on this blank? Any information as to relative quickness, recovery, lines used an
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Why don't you heat up the reel seat cap and remove it, unscrew the lock ring and remove the sliding hood? With the hood in hand carefully grind down the back edge about 1/4 inch to allow the reel foot to clear and then touch up the ground edge with a matt black finish. Re-assemble and go fishing. Should work. Good luck, Bill
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I have a bad luck rod that I have decided to throw in the towel. This is a St Croix LU 905-4 that I have broken four times. I have never had breakage problems with my other dozen or more fly rods, so i assume this one just has bad karma and I have no desire to repair or replace the butt section. I would, however like to salvage the REC nickle silver hardware, ambonya burl seat and the cork if p
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