Really appreciate the info. Just waiting on a NFC blank to be delivered and I will get the seat installed. I'll let you know how it goes! Brian
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Thanks for the replies. I will reach out to Alps to see what they say. This reel seat has machining so the hood doesn't rotate. As a result there is a slit that goes nearly the entire length of the seat. And the sides have the cutouts. So the only place to glue is really along where the reel foot would be. Here is a link to it: Hopefully Alps has some idea.
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Hello, hoping someone can help. I bought an Alps R-CAH LXL2 fly reel seat for my next build. The reel seat has bunch of cutouts to show the insert. They are separate pieces. My question is, how do I glue the reel seat to the insert without a ton of glue showing? There isn't much space on the reel seat that isn't cutout. Anybody used on of these before?
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Hello, I have a 4-piece CTS Affinity MX 11-weight that I built up a couple years ago for a trip to Florida. I test cast the rod before I left and found the rod to be mushy and just felt overloaded with an 11-weight tarpon line. I put the rod away and hadn't tried it since. In any event, I started playing around with the rod with different lines. I put on an Airflo 9-weight intermediate str
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What vendors are stocking these guides? Thanks, Brian
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I just bought some new ones and they did seem to have a thicker coating. Definitely glossy. I like them. Thanks for the replies.
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On the Fuji 'black' colored Alconite guides (BLAG, BLNAG, etc.), what is the 'black' coating? How does Fuji color the guides? Anybody have any durability problems? Is it salt safe (assuming the rod is rinsed after using)? Any info appreciated. Thanks.
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Hello, I just finished a 10wt for the same types of fish. Ended up going with St Croix's new SCV Saltwater series - the "Belize" blue colored ones. Built up into a very nice rod. Very powerful butt section, strong mid section, and a lighter tip for close-in work. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed. Brian
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Guys, thanks for the info. This gives me something to chew on before I make a decision. Brian
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Karry, notice you spec'ed the RX8+ instead of the RX8. I had been leaning to the RX8 with the idea that it may have a bit more fish fighting strength in the butt section. Maybe not? Really that is the info I am after. I think any of these blanks will cast well and deliver the fly. I'm looking for info on what happens after that, fighting the fish. To answer a question above, yes would be
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Looking to build a rod for medium sized tarpon. Anybody have experience with the Batson/Rainshadow RX8 #10? If the CCS pattern holds (there is no data on the 10 - but the others listed seem to rate a line weight heavier) I am thinking this rod should do the job lined-up with an 11 weight line. I've built on a few Rainshadow blanks in the past and have been very pleased with the results. Just
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Johnny's Pond, sponsor to the left, carries Matagi. I've ordered a few things from him and have had no issues. Brian
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Thanks Tom. I'll give that a go. Brian
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Planning my first attempt at foam grips with a composite skin. I have the magazine with the article and from reading other posts here, I think I'm good on the construction. My question is if anyone has inletted a grip for a fly rod seat? I want build a full wells grip and use a Struble U-15HG. Thoughts on how best to do this? Inlet the faom before skinning it? After? Any suggestions appreci
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CTS, link to the left, offers blanks in a "tangerine" color. Not an exact color match, but may give you the effect you're looking for. Brian
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Looking to build a 1 piece fly rod for light saltwater use. Would like something around an 8 weight with a length between 8 and 9 feet. Having a tough time locating such a beast. Anyone know of any spinning blanks that would work for this purpose? Any help appreciated. Thanks, Brian
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Here is what I have been using for my heavier salt water rods, works great: THVSG 16, TSVSG 12, TLSG 8 to tip, TFST 8 for the tip The THVSG adds a bit more height than a size 16 TSVSG for some of the larger reels out, really gives a nice flow to the line. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Hope it helps. Brian
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Thanks, Paul. How do you like the 8wt? Brian
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Hoping someone can help me out. Does anyone have CCS information for a Rainshadow RX8+ 9 ft # 9? Looking for a new striper rod for next year. Thanks, Brian
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I am thinking of doing this for a 9 wt. fly rod I'm building. Forhan locking wrap makes sense, but I was wondering if anyone ever used a bit of epoxy on the guide foot and then wrapping it for an extra bit of security. Thoughts?
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Building a 9 weight fly rod and was planning to use the following guides: T-HVSG16, T-SVSG12, T-LSG7 to tip Just second guessing the 7's. Would 8's be better? Will be using an intermediate line, no shooting heads. I don't have a full set of both guides to test with. My thought was the intermediate line would pass through the 7's without an issue and would also keep the weight to a miini
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If your intent is to have something different than the standard graphite spinning seat, you might want to check out the aluminum spinning seats from REC. They don't have a recessed hood, but do offer a more distinctive (IMHO) look than the graphite seats. Brian
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Madison River Fishing Company lists that blank in their closeout section. Good Luck. Brian
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Thanks for the input guys, appreciated. Brian
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I'm building a 9' #9 fly rod (Sage XP, 4-piece) and had a question regarding guide sizes and placement. I was planning the following: TSVSG 16, TSVSG 12, TLSG 8's to the tip When I place the guides on the blank and have the blank in a straight, neutral position, the line rests on the bottom of the 16 and the first 8 but runs through the center of the 12. It does not hit the bottom of the 1
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You might want to check out the American Tackle Matrix series of blanks too. Very well made and have a nice action. Besides, the twill carbon butt section may add a "coolness" factor to get your son's attention! Good luck.
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Guys, thanks for the information. Think the RX8+ will be my choice. I was leaning toward the SCV originally but the finish has me a bit worried - I fish from a kayak so rods can get bounced around a bit. The FT sounds like it will be a bit more rod than I need (although I suppose I could drop a line size) - I'm going to be replacing my current 9 wt. and I might have to try the FT for that.
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I'm planning to build a 7 wt. for light saltwater use - school sized stripers in the northeast. I've narrowed my choices to 3 blanks - St. Croix SCV, Batson RX8+, and the Dan Craft FT. From doing some searches on the site it seems like I can't go wrong with any of them. So, at this point I'm looking for opinions from people who have fished these rods and might be able to describe some of the d
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How much are looking to spend? Sage makes 4-piece Xi2 blanks in 12, 13, 14, & 16 weights, but they aren't cheap. Brian
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I am building a 12wt fly rod for saltwater and want to use Fuji's titanium concept guides. However, I wanted to use a size 20 as the first stripper - Fuji doesn't make a 20 in titanium frames (at least for their concept style). Wondering if anyone has compared the finish on the ICMNSG titanium coated guides to the solid titanium guides. Are they similar enough that I could use one as the first
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