Thanks everyone!
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I'm going to build two North Fork Composites fly rods soon and I'm struggling a little with which running guides to use. I plan to use Minimas, but don't know which I should get. Minima 4s and 3s both are advertised as having a wider foot. Is this wider foot going to be too wide for 6 weight and 5 weight fly blanks? Second question is which is the best model to use, Minima 4 fly guides, o
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Thanks Barry.
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Hi guys. I'm missing something. I am assuming the alvey reels rotate so that you wind in very much like you do on a fly reel. If that's not correct, then my question is moot. However if that assumption is correct and the line comes straight into the reel as on a fly reel or even a baitcaster, where is the line twist coming from?
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Guys, it looks like I need to clarify a little about my experience with the rod. Bill mentioned 3x and 4x aren't the light. I agree. But that was the appropriate size tippet for the flies I was fishing and the fish in that lake which can get into the high 20s (inches). Mike didn't specify using the rod for 6x or 7x; if he had, I couldn't have commented as I have no experience using the rod fo
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I've cast the factory 9' 5wt and the 9'6" 7 wt. The seven was good--but my testing environment was in a float tube in a lake and I usually fish lighter rods than 7 wt in my tube. My experience with the 5 wt differed from the guys above. I thought it was fantastic--perhaps the smoothest casting fly blank I've ever touched. I build most of my own fly rods, and I buy blanks from one of the m
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Yep, Batson solid glass. I cut mine down to 43". Any shorter and the rod can't keep up with the big head shakes you get from big fish. You can cut from the tip as well as the butt to get what you want. I like the tip soft so I cut from the butt only. I put foam grips (rear is 10" long I think) and a trigger on them. You can spiral them too, if you want to. I especially like that
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That makes sense. Thank you!
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Thanks Dick. I'm not sure I follow how cutting the carbon back allows the blank to ovalize within the 13.5" or so of foam core. It's the core I'm worried about. Will the foam core flex along its entire length?
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Spey blanks often bend clear down into the upper grip. Has anyone built a spey upper grip with a foam core and carbon fiber? If so, what were the results? If not, will the foam core allow any flexing? If the foam core/carbon fiber grip is completely rigid, I'm worried about blank failure at the end of the grip. Thank for your comments.
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I fixed a hole in a headlight with it not long ago. Ever'body need some rod bond.
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I built the 10'8" 7 wt. Not the 8 wt though. If there are any specific questions regarding the 7wt that might apply to your 8 wt, fire away.
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Thank you.
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Anyone know what size this thread is? I've seen it on one of the sponsor's sites, but thread size wasn't listed.
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Kirk, I think I can make it. I'll find out for sure and get back to you. Will it be at your place down the street, or elsewhere? George
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I went to an auto paint store and bought two new, empty cans for something like $2.50.
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Loop to loop. Factory welded loops in some cases; but I'll also have loops made of 50lb braided mono.
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That's what I needed to hear. Thanks guys. George
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I'm planning to build 3 two handed rods for skagit casting. I plan to use recoil stippers and either single or double foot heavy duty recoil snake guides. Do any of you have suggestions on stripper and snake sizes to use for these? I'm not a commercial builder and I don't have the luxury of a supplier close by to eyball the sizes and ensure my connections will pass, so I'm hoping someone can g
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I use permagloss on my light, single hand fly rods. I'm considering using permagloss on the wraps of 7 wt, 8 wt and 10 wt spey rods and I'm wondering if anyone has experience using it in this application. It seems it should be just as effective on spey rods. Is it? Is there anything I need to be mindful of using it on spey rods vs lighter, single hand rods? Thanks, George
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Steve, call me when it's done. I want to see it!
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I think they actually spell it 'Kenai Kwik.' As in Kwikfish.
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I think a spiral wrapped halibut jig rod would be good. A spiral wrapped back bouncing rod for Kenai king fishing would be fantastic. And while were at it, how about a spiral wrapped casting rod for kings. I believe all three of these (but especially the first two) have real promise.
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Ron and Roger, I got a size 25 guide for the butt guide. It looks giant. Why do I want to use a ring this big? Thanks, George
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Thanks guys. The Batson folks also recommended sticking with double foot guides all the way to the tip; that kind of surprised me, hence I posed the question here as well. I guess I'll use a big butt guide, and double footed low frame 8s for all the other guides including the bumper and see how that works. Funny, I've never seen a spiral wrapped rod on the Kenai. . . not for backtrolling,
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I am planning on building a rod to be used primarily for backtrolling in the Kenai River using big jet divers and quickfish in heavy current, and of course chinook that will regularly exceed the 40 lb mark. I will also use this rod for bobber fishing for chinook in big rivers. The blank isn't all that fast and is 10.5' long so I anticipate having to offset the bumper to 100 or 110 degrees. I p
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Anyone who doesn't want their clear, or flor grade cork, I'll be happy to take it off your hands ;-)
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