I have used a lot of Madeira #40 polyneon, and I have ever had a problem with fisheyes with or without CP. I do brush it with DNA before I coat it though, maybe that helps. I guess what I didn't know just hasn't hurt me yet.
Forum: rodboard

I agree with Bill, the RX6 would be great for a first build, also you could look at Anglers Roost, also a sponsor here. If going with a Batson my first choice for a supplier would be Karen at Bingham Enterprises and second would be Get Bit Outdoors. Both are sponsors here as well. Karen also carries American Tackle blanks and may have something you like in the configuration you are asking for,
Forum: rodboard

Man, you have to use pennies. You can't wad dollars up in the little baggie and call it a hunerd!!!! Joking. Seriously though, What are you building on that was that stiff? Wow.
Forum: rodboard

I always use two with madeira and one with gudebrod. The silicone or whatever it is on madeira will sometimes repel the parts of the first coat and the second will go ahead and seal it off. With nylon thread only one has ever been necessary for me.
Forum: rodboard

Another vote for REC cork, I have a "Flor" grade grip from them, it was pricey but impressive quality.
Forum: rodboard

Amen to what Bill Says!!! Tried it last week and decided to just go without CP and deal with a translucent copper color. But #521 orange gudebrod is really close to that color, but again go with the NCP and color preserver.
Forum: rodboard

I would opt for a 6 or 7 weight. I did a spinning rod a while back with a 8 ft 5 wt fast action blank and it does very well with 1/32 to 1/8 ounce jigs with spinners. if you are going after panfish I would expect a extra fast 9 wt would be a little heavy. I have a fast 9' 9 wt and it is almost impossible to fish for bluegill with because it sends the smaller fish flying through the air with ev
Forum: rodboard

So how did you get the color of the thread under the decal to match what wasn't ? or did you put it on NCP?
Forum: rodboard

I broke 1.5 inches off the tip off my 8 wt ATC blank and it made it an extra fast 9 wt and I love it.
Forum: rodboard

I haven't tried it so maybe someone else would have more insight. If you are going to do this you will have to use color preserver, and before you put the decal in place. Otherwise your color will be slightly different under the decal, or a lot different with no CP at all because the finish will not penetrate completely under the decal. With a couple coats of CP applied prior to the decal your
Forum: rodboard

Congratulations Man!! I have three little girls and they are the greatest blessings god has ever bestowed on me, short of my wife who gave them to me. Get ready, because little girls are far more emotional than boys, and require a LOT of attention. Mine are 1, 2 and 4 and the 2 and 4 year old love to go fishing with daddy, or anywhere else I go. Just because you didn't have a boy doesn't mean
Forum: rodboard

Call Johnny at anglers roost, He has some spey grips with 4 inch rear grips, and the fore grip is easily modified to do what you want.
Forum: rodboard

Here is something I am VERY experienced with, note it is not rod building. Bluegill will strike any clear or red mono 10lbs or under, over that they get nervous. Braids and fireline work fine, but like most other things in fishing, I have the most luck with Flurocarbon, this is most likely because Although I keep mono around for floating stuff, I rarely use it. I tie a fluorocarbon leader even
Forum: rodboard

Ted, I have used it quite a bit and I have had decent luck with it in comparison to the flexcoat cp that I have used. I haven't tried anything but flexcoat and gudebrod color preserver, I am on my third bottle between the two brands , and with gudebrod thread it works great, with madeira it darkens a shade between what it would be before and after finishing without it, and the color holds true,
Forum: rodboard

I call flor grade something like he described, needs little to no filler, I know what you are saying, tom, but I also know what he is talking about. The guy wants the best cork available. I know that there are different standards and anyone can call any cork flor grade, but when I look at "flor" grade cork I want something with NO filler and still smooth and comfortable to the touch.
Forum: rodboard

Welcome to the fix, I know how you feel, I was 31 a year and a half ago when I built my first fly rod, I have since done 13 including two bamboo rebuilds, not all have been great but all have served well to catch fish. I just broke my first build in two places and pitched it, it was my own fault from lack of care in transporting but I LOVED that rod and intend to build another soon just like it
Forum: rodboard

I like the smell of the urethanes such as perma gloss, they make me feel good!! Joking of course, I have come across a few epoxies and can atest that they are not usually hazardous as they don't "Make you feel good" or bad for that matter. Just smell bad. I don't recommend using in you bedroom, as I have to in the winter because of lack of temp control in my shop, as the wife gets sl
Forum: rodboard

I either make my own starting with 14lb test mono or fluorocarbon and work my way down to 5 or 6 x tippet, or I buy furled leaders, and they are extremely easy to straighten. They are furled from some kind of really small mono Drop me an email and I can give you the guys email address, he sells them for 4-6 dollars each and ships free he makes them to order so just tell him what length you need
Forum: rodboard

I think they live in my home, and just go to yours on occasion.
Forum: rodboard

Tru Oil generally has very little effect on the color of cork in my experience. I have only done five grips with it, but follow instructions above and I think you will be happy.
Forum: rodboard

I am probably going to get some TM hi build soon and try it, I have been working with LS supreme for a while and there are a few things I don't like about it but I have finally figured out how to get it right. The bottle I have the hardener is slightly yellowed but not noticeable when it is mixed, but definitely not dark by any means. I have some Flexcoat hi build that is very dark to compare i
Forum: rodboard

I can attest to the quality and action of the F908-4 blanks, I love mine.
Forum: rodboard

Call Johnny at Anglers Roost, they are not more expensive. To answer the question, my experience is the same as Eugene's. If you are fishing a long fluorocarbon leader though and you get a fish up to you, you want to keep the leader out of the guides because I guess the heat they can generate is more than that of the standard ones and it can break off. I haven't had that problem with mono.
Forum: rodboard

OK, I appreciate you asking this question, It is one I have had for a while, but stuck with what I was doing because it worked. I have always spined the rod, but always put the mark on the inside as well, and never had any issue. I have noticed that what tom says about the stiffest axis not being 180 from the softest is also true in most of the blanks I have used from cheap 15-40 dollar blanks t
Forum: rodboard

When I have those I hand them to my 2 year old and tell her the bring them back to daddy when the plastic is gone. Works every time. Takes a little less time and I can do something else while waiting. That kid can take a childproof pill bottle that is as tight as I can get it, my wife is absolutely unable to open it and the 2 y/o can have it open and dumped in the floor in 1.27 seconds.
Forum: rodboard

I understand what he is saying. A lot of people, myself included, hold a spinning rod with the reel leg between their middle two fingers. And a seat that integrates the foregrip with the locking nut is far more comfortable. Also wit a standard seat the nut often works its self loose.
Forum: rodboard

I know it was made by advanced tubular, I am not sure of the exact model number, it just says F908-4 which I know could be a generic number but it is a dark maroon/brown/plum color and is marketed as a 9' 8 wt. Has a fast action and the butt diameter is .420 and it has between a 4.5 and a 5.0 tip, listed as a 5.0. I realize they went out of business and I cannot find any of their blanks on the
Forum: rodboard

I have tested some ERNs on rods before but I really don't trust my numbers, some have been really close to what I have seen on the data base and some have not. I have a 9' 8 wt blank I got from binghams clearance they have been doing. I really like the rod but I need a heavier line for it. The heaviest line I have is a 7 wt and I can only afford to by one new line at the moment. So, has any
Forum: rodboard

I do it charlies way, almost verbatim. I actually have wondered at times if I was doing it right, but it works for me so I never asked, good to know I am in line with others technique.
Forum: rodboard

Your site is not Blackberry friendly!! Oh well, I will check when I get home. Thanks for the heads up.
Forum: rodboard