Okay, I think I understand it now. Thanks for the information.
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Hello all, I have a couple of questions about the influence of the physical weight of fly line on a blank's action. For example, I have a QUICKLINE 11’0” 4pc 7weight Switch rod blank which has a fast action. Pac Bay recommends line between 425-500gr. If I exceed these weight parameters will it slow down the action of the blank? Is there a point where exceeding line weight recommenda
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Thanks for the input. Randolph, I already put on the reel seat and fore grip. I started the build when I thought I would like two handed fly casting but since have discovered a prefer single handed casting. That's the main reason why I was thinking of cutting the rod down and finishing it as a single hand rod. Tom, thanks for the clarification in the terminology. I don't mind a slower actio
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Hello all, I have a 11 foot, fast action 7 weight switch rod blank which I would like to experiment with. The handle didn't turn out as planned so am thinking about cutting 12" off the butt section and adding a single hand grip. Does anyone have an idea of what this would do to the rod action. I'm guessing it would make it a lighter power. Any input is welcome. thanks, Tom.
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Thanks for the additional input. The two handed casting rod is a very good idea and I think I'll go that route. Thanks again. Tom.
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Thanks for all of the input and suggestions. I'll check on the Echo Gecko and also noticed that Hook and Hackle has a special on their 6'6", 2 weight Xi which looks like a pretty good deal.
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Hello, My son has shown a great interest in fly fishing and I would like to build him a rod. So far he has developed a pretty good roll cast using a Reddington form rod but we haven't done any overhand casting yet. We would be fishing for panfish, small smallmouth and rock bass, as well as shiners and chubs - pretty well anything that will hit a indicator/nymph rig. It will be mostly sho
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Thanks for the suggestion. I have been reading a lot about the Wulff lines and will likely explore that option. Tom.
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Hello, I am building a fly rod for trout and was wondering if anyone has some ideas for what type of line to use. It would be for indicator nymph fishing and the main type of cast will be roll casting. The blank is a F903-4-MHX, 9' 3 weight. I'm relatively new to fly fishing and seem to have better casts when using a slightly heavier line than recommended for the rod. thanks, T
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Hello all, Thanks for all of the suggestions. best Tom.
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Thanks Jerry sent you an e-mail.
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Hello all, Does anyone know of a rod builder who would build custom cork handles? I'm looked for some handles for a switch rod and cannot find anything I like in the retail market. I don't have access to a lathe or the equipment to make my own handles. Thanks, Tom.
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Thanks for all of your feedback. I'll try the 2/0 size guides and see how it works. best, Tom.
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Hello all, I was wondering what size guides you typically use for a 3 weight fly rod? I have a blank coming but have never built a fly rod this light. I have some single foot guides in size 1/0 ( i think) and there seems to be quite a bit of room for a 4 weight line to pass through but they seem a lot smaller than what I see on rods in fishing stores. I'm a little worried about enough sp
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Thanks Joe. You mention trimmed reel seats. Can you elaborate a bit on what you mean? Are you cutting down the length of the reel seat to the minimum? What does this accomplish? Tom.
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Hello, I was talking to a friend who also builds rods and he claims that all things being equal, a split grip will be more sensitive than a traditional style because there is less material to absorb the vibrations transmitted by the fish biting, lure working etc. I can kind of see his point but does it make a noticeable difference? I have only built one rod with a split grip and cannot r
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Hi Gordon, On the outskirts of Toronto. I usually get things via Mudhole. There is another supplier in BC who I use on occasion as well. Tom.
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Hello all, Thanks for all of the input. I was initially considering a Pacific Bay Quickline - now in 8 weight - which has an AA= 67 but will now take a look at the suggested blanks. Thanks again, Tom.
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Forgot to mention the reel for the casting rod would be either a Shimano Curado 51E or a Calcutta 101, and I'd be using 10 pound mono.
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I've have recently become a fan of casting spinners and spoons for steelhead. I'm in the Great Lakes region and my home stretch of water is a small to medium size river. I was going to try using a 9 foot, 9 weight fast action blank for a casting rod. I have been using fly and switch rod blanks for steelhead rods recently and like how they are light weight and pack down small in comparison to
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Thanks for the suggestions. I did a static test before the final wrapping and things were fine. The fly guides were a smaller size, i can't remember the exact one at the moment. It is a spinning rod, built on a six weight switch rod blank. New mono as well. On a side note, with the exception of the guide choice I was really please with the way the switch rod blank worked out. Plenty of
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Thanks for the input. Drew, have you used them for a steelhead rod? I'm trying to decide what would be the smallest size to use because later in the season things start to ice up (i'm in southern Ontario) Roger, I was using these guides as the butt guides. I'll take another look at them for the running guides as well. best, Tom.
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One candidate would be the Fuji Alconite K-series spin/cast guides. Has anyone tried these? thanks, Tom.
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Hello all, I spent this weekend fishing for steelhead in the rain and was frustrated by my line tacking on to the wet blank. The rod I built had fly guides as the running guides. It worked fine when casting spinners/spoons but was terrible for float fishing. Does anyone have any recommendations for some guides which will keep the line away from the blank but are still fairly light to keep
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Hello all Thanks for the suggestions and input. I've looked over the options and was wondering about the MHX steelhead blank ST 1143 MHX 9'6" 6-12 line with a lure weight of 3/8-3/4. It is a little more affordable than the Rainshadow blank. Has anyone tried one of these blanks? Thanks, Tom.
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Hello all, I would like to build a casting rod for spoons and spinners for Georgian Bay steelhead. What are the desired characteristics of a blank for this application? If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it. thanks, Tom.m
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Hi Karry, Thanks for the information. I'll use it as a starting point and tweak it for a longer blank. best, Tom.
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Hello all, Does anyone have any suggestions for guide placement on a float rod which will be using a centerpin reel? The blank is 11 feet in length - if that helps. Any feedback would be welcome. thanks, Tom.
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Hello all, I am building an indicator rod for Great Lakes steelhead (Southern Ontario). I plan on using the rod all throughout the year and it gets pretty cold during the winter months. Does anyone have any recommendations in terms of the best guide size for this type of application for cold weather fishing? Any input would be appreciated. thanks, Tom.
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Thanks for all of the input and suggestions in terms of guides, blanks and reels. I'll update you with the results of the build once I have the rod completed. best, Tom.
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