I have used three different epoxy coatings in the last year: PacBay's one-use packets; RodDancer Threadmaster Lite; and U40's Duragloss LS Supreme. All seemed to work just fine.
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Maybe my bad for using the word "stiff" as it is not a very precise definition for a fly rod. In terms of action, I guess I am asking how fast is the action. In saying stiff, I was wondering if it is boardy at all. I have a 9 foot 5-wt. TFO TiCrx which I think is quite "boardy" or "stiff" and could readily toss a 7 weight line (and in reality may be better rated
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Who has build a fly rod on the NFC Gamma Alpa/Beta and/or X-Ray blanks? I am curious as to how stiff/fast the blanks are, and how the Gammas compare to the less expensive X-Rays. Thanks.
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I just used U40 LS Supreme for the first time and give it a full thumbs up.
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Perhaps the Cordura is glued to the tube rather than stretched. I recently finished a 9 ft 4-piece fly rod and was thinking how best to make a tube. But I would up purchasing a Reddington fly rod tube for $24 with Cordura outer. While I am a DIYer at heart, at that price it is hard to beat and I would rather use my time making rods. Or fishing. Good luck to you!
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Make sure you are using a good razor blade for your cuts, and that when cutting you are not sweepng the blade over several wraps of thread, which I have done from time to time.
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Did you use a pre-treated thread or a thread where you applied color preserver? I have concluded that I prefer non-treated thread, as it seems to me to lay, cut and burnish easier and more cleanly than the pre-treated threads. I used treated thread on a rod I just completed and had far more fuzzies than my previous rods. I do not make enough rods to be a good wrapper.
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I have fished the 5 wt. TiCrX with a modern 6 wt line (which is really a 6.5 wt.line). It could easily toss a 7 wt line, I think, and I may try that. I actually like the rod overall, and partciularly in some conditions, especially bigger rivers or wind. I had it on the Big Hole last year with a 5 weight line in some major wind and it did alright. The year before I fished it on the Snake with
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I just took a newly finished Eternity2 fly rod -- 9 ft. 6wt. -- for a test drive on the front lawn. Paired with a brand new SA Mastery 6WF fly line that I bought a couple years ago. Very nice casting machine. Of course I cannot say how it will feel to toss a nymph -- or with fish on the line. But for casing a line, leader and dry fly, I give it a very impressed thumbs up. Yes, the color is v
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Great tip. Thank you. I will try it when I put my next coat on today or tomorrow. Also, I used to make my epoxy "trays" from alum foil, as you suggest. Then I ordered a few weeks ago some of the foil mixing dishes from Mud Hole. 25 in a box. Highly recommended.
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I would not want to go below a size 1. Smaller only makes it potentially more difficult to pass fly line to leader knots through the upper-most guides. The debate on weather to step down the guide sizes or just go directly from stripping to the final size is always on.
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I like the cold pack idea. I put a coat of U40 on a new Eternity 9 ft. fly rod blank yesterday in Colorado. It was a 96 degree day, though cooler in my house. By the time I worked my way to the fourth (rod tip) section of the rod the finish was getting noticeably thicker and a sticky. I had to mix another batch to finish the rod. Any other tips other than the cool pack? I am not a fast rod
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Buy decent synthetic artist brushes when on sale at Michaels. They always seem to be on sale. Maybe $2 or $2.50. Mine clean up easy with the U40 brush cleaner.
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I have an 8 1/2 foot four weight that is a very light and sweet rod, and I do not find it to be too long and it is fine on most small streams. To go smaller is fine, but also I would ask: where do you fish, what are wind conditions; how small are the streams, dry fly mostly or nymph, and what size are the fish you are landing? All the above suggested blanks will get the job done. A 7 foot 3-w
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Great, thanks.
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I opened up a new set (set was in plastic bag with two syringes) of U-40 Resin and Hardner today in order to finish a fly rod. The resin bottle's contents are not liquid, but more like the consistency of a thick, pasty gel. I am finding it hard to believe that is the norm. It was so thick, that the included syringe could not function properly. Can someone please tell me how the U-40 Resin sh
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If not smooth, I have sanded down with fine grit paper and applied one or two thin coats and it was no longer unevern.
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What is your impression of the blanks? Certainly attractively priced. What type of rod you making? Please keep us informed of your final thoughts of X-Ray.
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Anyone have experience with 9 foot fly rods in a 6 or 7 piece blank? Rainshadow used to make them and a few have been posted on @#$%&. Was thinkng about one for use on business trips. Are they even worth it?
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James: Batson is a famlily owned company, local U.S. company and a pillar of the rod making industry. For the safety of you and your workers, you must adhere to your state and local laws. I had a former co-worker die today of COVID-19. Case numbers and deaths are not just a statistic, and you know that in Washington. I am in Colorado. I have purchased a number of your company's fine p
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Again, I just found the video on You Tube. I would go there to ask the author. I hope he is a member of this forum or joins.
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I've not tossed a Loop fly rod, so cannot comment. The BVK has been kind of an honored and well-reviewed rod in the lower priced OEM world, and has had a long life cycle. Fairly stout but not a broom stick. You can always go to a shop and test cast a few rods to see what feel you really like. also, as to price range, since you mention Proof and Matrix, I am presuming you are thinking under
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Just to be clear, I had nothing to do with that ingenuity only found it on You Tube.
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Are you new to fly fishing or just rod building? I have never really heard a bad thing said about a Matrix rod on this forum, and I have read positive feeedback on Proof as well, but I have not fished either. What rod are you currently fishing? Do you like it or not? Do you like a rod with fast or medium action?
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Yes, I am sorry I missed that OEM buy.
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Anyone build a fly rod with the new Mud Hole offered CRB blanks yet?
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Has anyone used the Arctos AF1093-4-NAT, a 10 foot, 9 inch blank for a 3 weight. I was wondering if it was a European Nymphing rod or a light spey? Of maybe good for both?
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Many probably have their blank inventories in decent shape. I think a lot of blanks come from Korea, too. I think TFO blanks are made in Korea. Or go with good old U.S.A. produced blanks -- NFC or the OEMs.. You have Rod Geeks from Mexico. Does CTS produce its blanks in New Zealand? As to beer, not typewriters, Corona beer sold in the U.S. is produced by Constellation Brands a few mil
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Hook and Hackle and Swift (Epic) have very decent looking blanks and kits and are highly reputable retailers.
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