I'll second Tom K's advise, with only one change. If your connections will pass thru a #2 snake use that. I have done that on plenty of 8wt's and never had an issue. Straightest line path and least amount of weight on the blank is the way to go.
Forum: rodboard

Peter, I do a fair number of Glass Fly Rod builds. For the 6ft I would go with # 10 Agate, then 1's all the way out, Snake Brand Universals for the running guides. For the 7ft 9in I would go with a #10 or #12 Agate, #2 Snake, then #1 rest of the way out, again Snake Brand Universals. You might only need 8 guides on that blank, best to tape them on and do a static test with 8 first, if not
Forum: rodboard

They are actually Tip over Butt ferrules, the male section is actually part of the painted section of the blank. They are correct for that brand and model blank. Several manufacturers use this style of tip over butt on their rods, TFO does this too on several on their models. There is supposed to be a "wear" space so that over time you will not loose the snug fit of each section. It wil
Forum: rodboard

Replacement blank located, THANKS to the couple of Gent's that emailed me, much appreciated.
Forum: rodboard

Hey folks, I am in need of a Butt Section for an older Pac Bay TRF 865-4 Fly Rod. These are the older USA made blanks in the Plum Color. If any one has a butt section (grip and reel seat can be on it) or a spare blank that they want to sell, please contact me. I have tried most of the board sponsors that are Pac Bay dealers and this blank is not in stock, they have been out of production for m
Forum: rodboard

Lots of options, my main vote would go to CTS, bit expensive, but well worth the money. You might also want to look into Fiberglass, The CTS Quartz Glass blanks are very sweet, smooth loading rods. I fish glass quite a bit in NY on streams similar to your stuff in PA. If you choose a glass blank, I would recommend that you get an 8ft 4wt, use DT3 line on it, with the full flexing blank it will fe
Forum: rodboard

Just like a couple of people have said above, its normal. TFO is one of several companies that have their blanks built and colored like this. I think it looks terrible. Orvis and TL Johnson did the same thing on several of their models. Just build it out like any other fly rod, I also will concur with Bill B about not putting a thread wrap on the male section too close to where the female se
Forum: rodboard

Jerry, you might want to check another forum called Fiberglass Flyrodders Forum, several of the moderators that run the site should be able to help or know someone that will know the value of those blanks.
Forum: rodboard

Just give them a call, they will tell you the brand and color. I have had several St. Croix rods in for guide repairs over the past couple of years and each time I gave them a call, seems like they have no problem letting you know what they use. That also goes for the brand and style of guides too.
Forum: rodboard

By the model number of that blank, it sounds like it is rated for a "6wt" line, depending on your casting style and the distance you are going to need or want to cast, your going to have to play around with a couple of different lines until you find what suits your needs. Some people like to over line a blank by one weight high, some like to use the rated line for it, its all based on y
Forum: rodboard

Either single foots or snakes, like Herb said, flip a coin. Really the most important thing here is to use the smallest size guide that your connections will pass thru and the least amount of changes in guide size. For example, Size 12 Stripper, followed by a size 10 of the same style as the stripper, then on to #3 Snakes all the way out. Very straight line path is the object. I have done sev
Forum: rodboard

I'm with Phil, same thread colors, no CP , regular nylon, small metallic trim bands at the ferrule wraps. My favorite on that color of a blank is Fishhawk Garnet or Gudebrod Navy Blue. Subtle but classy. Another color that may work is Rust with a Silver Metallic trim band if the MHX blank is similar in color to a North Fork Comp blank.
Forum: rodboard

The two best snake guides in my opinion are Snake Brand and REC Recoils. Both are highly resistant to wear.
Forum: rodboard

Steve, if you are using Regular Nylon and no Color Preserver they will darken. Best bet is to do a couple of test wraps on the butt section of the blank where the grip and reel seat are going. You can easily remove them after you have chosen which color and finish (with or without color preserver) you want to go with. Another trick that will give you an idea of how much darker Regular Nylon goes
Forum: rodboard

Switch Rod blanks and Fly Rod blanks are two different animals, I know a blank is a blank and it does not know what its is going to be when it is built out. The difference lies in the fact that Switch rods are typically 2 line weights heavier if you are going to single hand cast them and if you are going to use a Spey 2 Hand style of cast then you use the grain window to determine what type of li
Forum: rodboard

Check out the CTS Affinity X or Affinity MX, I would go with the Affinity X if you are going over 9ft in length. I have a pair of 5 and 6wt Affinity X's that are just awesome for nymphing rods. I also own a Dan Craft Sig V 9'-6" 6wt and it is very similar to my Affinity X's, but I would say the Affinity X is a bit (not much) faster action.
Forum: rodboard

Look at Lamiglas, they have some 7'-6" Fiberglass Fly Rod blanks that may fit what you are looking for and they do not cost that much. Also, if you have a Cortland Dealer near you, they can purchase the "new" Diamondglass blanks. They have a couple of models that are from 6' to 8'-6". They are around $150 and that includes a rod sock and tube.
Forum: rodboard

I build on the Fly Rod models of CTS Blanks, they will easily compare to anything that any of the US high end stuff out there. They also have a very wide range of fly rod blanks. I don't think you would be unhappy with their blanks once you figured out what configuration you wanted.
Forum: rodboard

I have been using their stuff for several years, great products, and easy people to deal with. The new peel and stick decals work great, they do provide instructions with them. As posted above you do need to get a very flat layer of epoxy down first, then the decal, then another layer of epoxy for the best results.
Forum: rodboard

While there are a bunch of companies that offer Glass blanks, its going to be tough to find one in a 6ft length, you might want to check out CTS, the Quartz series are very good blanks and CTS will make blanks to your spec's. I have done this several times with both graphite and fiberglass blanks. The price on their glass blanks is very reasonable for the quality of the blank.
Forum: rodboard

I would not shorten the blank either. What are you looking for exactly? Might want to look into fiberglass for a blank if you are looking for something short, full flexing and in a light line weight.
Forum: rodboard

I personally would use the double foot guides too, especially with regards to being more durable as Todd stated. I also like the TiC framed guides for the stripper and second running guide when building a rod in that line weight and length. Tom makes a very valid point about dropping the #5 size guide and just going with 3 sizes, it may look a bit odd due to the abrupt change in size but the ob
Forum: rodboard

I'm with Bob Riggins on his guide sizes, used the same set up on several 8wts. Take a look at the American Tackle AW12 or AW13 series of reel seats with the woven graphite inserts, nice light weight seat and well made. Batson also has some that are similar. I would also go with the 4 piece, they can be stored as a 2 piece also, then broken down further if you need to.
Forum: rodboard

I know of 3 places, directly from Joel, he has a site, Ron Weber, or Snake Brand Guides, their reel seat hardware is made by Joel.
Forum: rodboard

I'll give another vote to the Lemke, REC also has some great stuff too.
Forum: rodboard

I just saw a couple of pic's of your rod on another site, looks real nice, I like the grip.
Forum: rodboard

There is a product called Crafty's Cutter that I use. I use it with a battery drill and it has not failed me yet.
Forum: rodboard

Fiberglass is really making a nice come back in the fly rod world. I think your going to see more of the "specialty" fiberglass blank makers bringing out more switch and spey blanks.
Forum: rodboard

Yup, something I would like to try out, thanks for the info John.
Forum: rodboard

I have built 2 7wt Switch Rods for customers on the Quickline series, they really like them, I don't think they are getting all the press that they should. Cannot go wrong on the price either. I think you'll be pleased with the 6wt.
Forum: rodboard