I recall reading Bob Meiser's comments on this somewhere. I thought it was on his website but I'm having difficulty locating the info there. Perhaps it is from the RodMaker article TK mentioned above. I am quite sure Bob Meiser suggests a 6" rear grip on the switch rods. The fore grip is usually 1 inch per foot of rod length. He notes that these can, of course, be adjusted to meet a custom
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If you plan to build lots of surf rods then a power wrapper would be highly desirable. The long wraps on surf rods can be a real chore when done by hand. Any decent power wrapper will knock them out in seconds. You certainly don't need a Renzetti but it truly is the ideal rod lathe; especially for larger rods. The supports are extremely strong and provide a great deal of working r
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The larger Van Staal spinning reels used to be the only ones capable of such heavy duty. Accurate now has a strong spinning reel as well as those from ZeeBass. The design of conventional reels is simply far more efficient for generating cranking power than that of a spinning reel. I think your best bet will be a powerful lightweight conventional reel ( such as an Accurate) fitted with
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I suggest looking at Bob Meiser's web site. I plan to get one of his blanks for the surf. Eric Viburs is very happy with them. You can get a blank; a kit or a "ready to wrap" package. Also, Meiser's shop can set you up with a custom line for the rod. It's really critical to get the right line. Nothing off the shelf can match a custom line.
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Eduction... Perfect.
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It might even help you avoid a speeding ticket if you get stopped by a Trooper who fishes.
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If stranded on a desert island I expect my best chances for catching fish are at the surf. So I would bring the rod I recently built on a 12 ft Tommy Farmer blank set up for spinning in the concept layout. It's matched with a Van Staal VS 200 loaded with 20# Berkeley Big Game Trilene with a 60# flourocarbon shock leader. The spare spool has 30# Power Pro with the same type shock leader.
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Reelseatblanks.com They are on the list of sponsors to the left.
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Robbie, I'll ask Bob about that exchange the next time I see him. I plan to visit him at his shop soon.
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There has been some question about the rods used in the film "A River Runs Through It". Today at a gathering of the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild I had the opportunity to ask Bob Taylor about it all. Here is what he told me. He had indeed restored the rods prior to the shooting of the film. It took him 4 or 5 weeks to do them. He recalls there being one or two Montagues but mo
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I use Fuji 20 mm seats on my surf rods for a VS 200. I think the foot of the VS 300 is the same size but I don't have one to check. My favorite seats are the Fuji Cobra seats but they have been discontinued. The DPS reel seat shape is very comfortable. I don't think any of the aluminum reel seats are shaped like that. I would not use an aluminum reel seat on my surf spinning rods for that
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Larry, When I started building rods I bought Tom Kirkman's Rod Building Guide. Then I subscribed to RodMaker Magazine. Later I started adding books to what has become a nice library on rod building and fishing. The books, along with my collection of RodMaker Magazines, add greatly to my knowledge and enjoyment. I am happy to encourage you to do the same. Good luck to you.
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The rods used in the movie "A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT" were indeed bamboo rods. This past weekend I had the pleasure of meeting the fellow who was responsible for maintaining all the rods during the production. He told me most were rather mundane rods... I think he said they were Heddons. I had been previously been told they were Bob Taylor rods but this fellow set the record
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Tomorrow they celebrate opening day of Trout Season in Roscoe, NY. I plan to attend the event as well as the annual Two-Headed Trout Dinner in the evening. Are there any other rod builders from here planning to attend? I don't know any from this area so it would be nice to get acquainted. Dave
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Ken, You might send a query to The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum. Email: flyfish@catskill.net and also The American Museum of Fly Fishing Good Luck, Dave
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Roger, Thanks for your input. I'd like to use the Beall system where a separate wheel is dedicated to Tripoli/ White Diamond and Carnuba. The thought of a second lathe was to justify getting a variable speed model for woodturning and using the other for buffing. You can rig up all three on a lathe.. but I guess two buffing machines will cost less than a lathe. I'd like to av
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I opted for the Jet 1014. Wish I had gone for the variable speed motor. Amazon consistently has the best lathe prices and includes free shipping. When I got mine the box was dinged but the lathe lined up dead center. I keep checking and they have the 1014 variable speed model for $407 at this time. I try to convince myself that a second lathe would make a great buffing station with a
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Creativity can be a blessing and a curse. It flows on uncharted tides defying logic and anything resembling order. The most helpful thing I have learned for harnessing its power is to simply flow with it. Accept it on its own terms. When the energy is not present .. I take a step back. I never know where the next inspiration will come from. I no longer think of the no-creative
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Tom; When I was 18 I worked as the mailroom boy of a national magazine called SHOW Magazine. Years later I worked for Time Magazine in the art and production departments. If your readers knew all the details that go into a producing a magazine they would be blown away. RodMaker is my favorite magazine and you keep improving it. The thought that you are doing it all by yourself
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Here's a heads up: Schneiders Rod Shop ( a Forum Sponsor) has the Batson 10'8" Switch blanks on sale for $91.99. Seems like a great price for that much blank.
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Check with Scott Parsons at Fishsticks. He carries the CTS Blanks. The CTS Revo blanks would be my first choice for saltwater fly rods. While I"m sure they're worth every penny the price might be prohibitive. Dave Gilberg
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Grant; I have not really begun to plan my spey rod yet. When I do my approach will be to find the lightest weight blank of a quality brand from a sponsor on the left which fits my budget. Batson is a great company and their Rainshadow blanks are very good. Forecast blanks might serve you well, too. They will not be as light in weight or as quick in Action. I guess the best
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The small glass tip shouldn't present any problem. It'll flex and the body of the blank will do the heavy work. In essence that will boost leverage for the fisherman. While TF blanks are not high tech lightweights like CTS they do have a loyal following and the price is certainly attractive. Dave Gilberg
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Your post has reignited my interest in building a spey rod for the surf. Effective surf casting for me entails fishing entire incoming and outgoing tides. Casting many times over several hours can be quite demanding. Anything over 9 feet in weights 8-11 would strain my abilities. A longer rod is great for keeping the line above the waves as you mend it. I might go to 9'6"
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I use it to fill large space gaps under reel seats. It's bulletproof when packed with Rod Bond.
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The Seeker Hercules Inshore Heavy 7 blank is going to be my next build. I much prefer its moderate action to those mentioned above. I pulled on one at a Nerb's Gathering and was sold.
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Go to their home page and enter your zip code in the Dealer search function.
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I recently built two surf rods similar to yours. I chose size 16 running guides to make sure the shock leader knots pass easily. I use braid because it casts so much better and provides stronger hook sets. I also like having the greater line capacity on my reels. I'm an eternal optimist. I want to be ready if I happen to hook up a wandering Blue Fin Tuna.
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I have been in contact with Mr. Kabuto with the intent of purchasing one of his exquisite fiberglass blanks. Until I stumbled upon his work I had no idea such fine blanks are being produced in glass. Tom Morgan's work and the others named above by Lane are also worthy of close examination. The white Kabuto blanks caught my eye and the actions will surely be closer to my favored bamboo
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Bill... If I"m there I'll be with one small bag. I can walk from the Best Western. If that works for you .. great. If not.. say hello anyway. Dave
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