Should a single hand fiberglass rod be converted to a switch rod if the original rated line weight will be used? My question is whether it would be "safe" for the rod with two hand use. I realize it would not perform as well as a switch rod built and lined for two hand use. To me, I don't see a problem ..... with the proper line and no double hand overhead casts for distance. It
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All but the entry level fly rod from Mystic are made in Michigan. They sell their blanks for about half of the finished rod price.
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I know how to find the natural bend of a blank, but where is the stiffest and weakest spine? The FAQ says that the two are not necessarily 180 degrees apart. When they are not 180 degree apart, is the stiff side 90 degrees to the bend? About what percentage of the time are they not 180 degrees apart?
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I have found that twisting a stuck graphite rod one direction can do nothing , but twisting it the opposite direction helps a BUNCH. It's as if the male section expands or contracts depending on the direction of rotation. I now apply paraffin to the male section when it starts to get difficult to disassemble. It works just fine for several outings.
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dampening Also found in: Legal, Wikipedia. damp·en  (d?m?p?n) v. damp·ened, damp·en·ing, damp·ens v.tr. 1. To make damp. 2. To deaden, restrain, or depress: "trade moves ... aimed at dampening protectionist pressures in Congress" (Christian Science Monitor). 3. To soundproof.
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I do all of my single thread wraps with CA glue. They look good to me.
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Would an induction cooktop work? They just heat the metal. Of course the heat can conduct into the blank.
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I've always been partial to Beulah rod blanks and they are in that price range.
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I had never heard of of a "Ritz" style grip before today. However, it just so happened that I accidently made one and liked its feel and simplicity in both its lines and construction. Having never seen one before, I was second guessing myself and asked the above question to justify changing it to something more traditional. Now, having discovered that my design is nothing new, has a
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Is there any logic to the shape of fly rod grips or is it just tradition. Seems like 5 wt and less usually have a cigar shape, but 6 wt and above use a full wells. If you are suppose to use what feels best, why doesn't the same shape feel "best" on all weight rods? Is there a shape that is best for accuracy, fatigue, distance, etc., and if so is there a logical explanation?
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Sage Method is about $517 for a kit. The Method is suppose to be their fastest.
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Use an emery board like those used to shape fingernails. Use the fine side and use it VERY lightly. This will leaves a dull surface, but will cut quickly through any high spots. Walmart and drug stores sell polishing boards; they will bring the dull surface to a high shine. I believe they come in 240 and 2600 grit. They are in the nail care department . I just had an issue with a rod I'
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Can one of the UV cured epoxies be used to cover thread wraps. It sure would speed up the rod building process.
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Beulah is located in Oregon I believe. I don't know about outlets in Canada.
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On my last three rods I counted the drops of hardener and resin and I had no problems. Volumes as small as 8 drops of each hardened just fine.
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Are there any professional rod builders that charge their customers a shipping fee based upon the cost of the rod they ordered? I wonder how that would go over? I've never ordered anything from Acid Rod, but that's going to change. Like others have said, If they take care of me, I'll do my best to take care of them. The Golden Rule works both ways.
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Thanks much for the input. I really appreciate it.
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I really like the weight and feel of a 5 wt, 9 ft., 4 pc, Sage Z-Axis. Can anyone suggest a cheaper alternative blank that has the same weight and feel as any Z-axis? Please state the weight, length, & number of pieces of the Sage rod that you are comparing against.
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Thanks for posting your results! Were both rods equipped with the same guides and spacing? Does the addition of guides, guide spacing or the style of guide (single foot vs double foot) even effect the Common Sense numbers?
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Scott, can you explain how and why they are "nicer to fish and cast with"?
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Line weights are based on 30', but not everyone normally casts at that distance. Some normally use a particular rod for dry flys others normally use heavy streamers. If the rod is for you, then it would be best to try various line weights at the distance and setup that you normally cast. If, on the other hand, you are just trying to find the nominal rod weight that the "average"
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Not exactly the answer to your question, but I've heard that a 9 foot, 5 weight, 4 piece is the most popular fly rod.
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Metallic gold looks great with red. I did length marker wraps (gold/red/gold) on a switch rod that I built. It's a royal combination that really pops.
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This link should help.
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I don't know if you would call it a sealer or not, but I use True-oil. It's kind of like a varnish. It turns the cork a little darker and puts a bit of a shine on it too. To me it doesn't feel quite as good as the original cork, but it keeps it looking nice for a long time.
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Blow on the epoxy through a soda straw before applying the epoxy and after it's on the wraps. It's amazing how it pops all but the smallest of nano bubbles.
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Sounds to me like you just need a helping hand, one on one help. Have you any local flyfishing clubs that you could join? Usually there are a few in the clubs that make their own rods and would be more than happy to showoff what they know. Also, many fly shops have classes on rod buildings. Join the class and be with others in your same situation.
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Isopropyl alcohol works too.
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I make mine from 2" or 3" PVC drain pipe (thin wall). I used a textured spray paint on my last one. Not as classy as the commercially available ones, but it does the job.
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