Bill Hickey Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Pretty subjective, you will probably get several > recommendations. Your best option, visit a fly > shop, take a small ruler with you (measure length > and diameters) and see which brand seems to fit > you. > Most FB’s are around 1” to 2” long. > Diameters of the end seem to be all over the
Forum: rodboard

John, There is only one stripper on any rod - that is the bottom most guide. Some very good builders/fishermen do not use a second ceramic (ringed) guide. I use two and lately 3. It's really personal preference. No - NEVER skip a guide when lineing the rod. Re Stripers and Bonefish. Wind will be your enemy - especially on the Bonefish flats. That being said - Chico Fernandez uses my cus
Forum: rodboard

Michael Danek Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > There are arguments in favor of both styles of > guides, but in my opinion, either will work just > fine. I would use single foot simply because > there is half the wrapping to do and I expect the > final wrap/guide combination will be a little > lighter so recovery speed will be a little high
Forum: rodboard

John, What will your fishery be??? #7 for many saltwater fisheries is a little light. I favor the REC Component products. One stop shopping. REC Recoil Cerecoil #16 Stripper then a #12 Cerecoil. Ten a #4 REC Recoil S/F guide. The rest 7 #3 S/F Recoils. like the RSLL reel seat because - IMO - it holds the reel foot better. They will supply you with the grip to fit the RSLL seat hood.
Forum: rodboard

Kevin, I eliminate the problem by using neoprene "O" rings in place of guides when static flexing my blanks. I buy graduated sizes smaller than the guides because they flex. I thread them onto blank and line I use to perform the process. They can be slip up and down the blank with zero chance of scratching the paint. I thread more rings than I think I may need. Just place two or th
Forum: rodboard

Craig, Take a look: And at the Glass Turbo Taper Contact me for pricing. Bill, Thanks for the accurate history. Herb
Forum: rodboard

Martin, Take a look at CTS Slowmotion: Herb CTS Rep
Forum: rodboard

Brandon, The Freshwater line is new - so I haven't tried them yet. But I have a customer who did purchase some - he has not received them yet. Will let RB.org the results asap. Herb CTS
Forum: rodboard

Tom, The REC micros are not sized like the system you are used to. Herb
Forum: rodboard

Not the micros - but the RSPG's on my fly rods after the Stripper. After a #20 - I use a #16, #12, #10. The #8's are too smallfor my use - and they are larger than the micros. Change them. Herb
Forum: rodboard

Tom, Eight guides on a 9'0" fly rod would be very unusual. Usual is 10 guides - at least. Herb
Forum: rodboard

Frank, I could never understand why someone would want to do what you describe. There is a reason why there are spinning blanks and why there are fly blanks. Can you doit - sure. Will it cast a fly line - yes. Will it be as good as a fly blank - definately not. There is a proper tool for every job. What you are suggesting reminds me of when my wife bangs a nail into the wall using the he
Forum: rodboard

Roger 99'9% of my builds are 4 piece 9' fly rods. So, no such worries. Herb
Forum: rodboard

Al, You MUST first glue-up the ported ring and one or two after thak. Clamp lightly. Let cure before you install others and clamp. Herb PS - what do you mean "Blowing up blanks?? Breaking them?? Making a mistake on the grip?? PPS - You never want to chuck your blank into the lathe. You should - #1- either insert a bushed (with tape) steel rod into the butt end of the blank - OR -
Forum: rodboard

Al Hi. I have been using the FlexCoat Cork Lathe for 20 years to shape cork and very hard stabilized wood. I also do not use a mandrel - I epoxy and shape my grips directly on the blank. I glean from your post - that you want to use the power of your lathe and use the FlexCoat tower rests. Sounds like a great combo to me. My drill generates 2500 RPM - which you need for good shaping. I’m s
Forum: rodboard

Chris, Why not just buy the seat and grip from same manufacturer - like REC Components - who provides porting to match their seats?? Or - better yet - turn your own grips so you can make porting to match any seat you wish. Herb
Forum: rodboard

Joe, You need hi RPM’s. Do yourself a favor and buy a FlexCoat Cork Lathe. Been using that for 20 yrs. Also - get a Stanley Surform rasp. The one with a slight curve along its long axis . Use that VERY lightly just to knock down the hi spots. And make the grip round. Then use sandpaper for the rest. I use 60 - 180 - 220 - 320 grit. ALSO - I do not use a wood - or any other flat - or sof
Forum: rodboard

David, Yes - recoils can be noisy at times. Single foot are less so. But only noisy when line is dirty and not cleaned/conditioned well or often enough. I notice some noise when lawncasting after line gets dirty. Herb
Forum: rodboard

I only use the RSFX. Personally I'd only use the RSF on a #0 or #1 blank. Herb
Forum: rodboard

Pat, # of guides on a fly rod will depend to a large degree on the action of the blank - i.e. during the static flex procedure. Normally we use 10 guides on a 9'0" rod. Yes - you'll get a smoother curve with more guides - but don't get carried away with it. 15 guides would give you an even smoother curve. At one point you will have to accept that you will not get a perfect curve - but
Forum: rodboard

Keith, My commebt was tongue in cheek - kidding you. Dock shootion - sure - but at that lure rating - better not catch anything that is going to wrap you around a dock support. Herb
Forum: rodboard

Kieth, You have to have some patience to allow people to log on to RB.prg. We're not on htre 24/7. Herb That being said - CTS has a model "AIR" Turbo Taper (fine tip - strong Butt) one-piece 7'6" 1/32 - 1/8oz Herb CTS
Forum: rodboard

Herb Ladenheim Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I'm town just South of Delray - but only fly > rods. > Herb Just to clarify: All my personal rods are fly rods - but I deal in all CTS blanks. Herb
Forum: rodboard

Francis, Look at the CTS BayMaster 7'0" - or 7'6" 4 power . Sweet spot 4-6 oz sinkers. If you need more holding power - the 7'6" in a 6 power. My son has both fpr boat fishing on NE ocean wreaks. He can under-hand lob 12 Oz if needed on the 6 power. Sweet spot is 6 - 8 Oz. Herb PS - note that site says BayMaster SPIN. I built them as conventional, however. Great blank
Forum: rodboard

I'm town just South of Delray - but only fly rods. Herb
Forum: rodboard

What kind of blanks? Herb
Forum: rodboard

David, I am sorry if you took my "YES response to be Dismissive. It was not intended as such. I quoted you above my "TES" and ws simply agreeing with your reasoning. Herb PS - Ahhhh - Isee your point. I should have eliminated your last statement - "Am I wrong about that"?
Forum: rodboard

"it seems to me that the distance between the reel seat and rod tip is the only factor that should affect the rod power and action. Am I wrong in thinking that?" YES. "Also I wonder what advantages/disadvantages there are to setting the rear grip length by moving the assembly rearward vs cutting. Any thoughts or experiences with this?" LOSING LEVERAGE WHEN FIGHTING A FI
Forum: rodboard

Could be an optical illusion - but top two guides don't seem to be alighned with others. You didn't need underwraps. Black underwraps and light upper wraps tough to do. Herb
Forum: rodboard

I cut REC aluminum seats when I build fly rods for a particular customer. I don't think it saves very much weight - but he likes it that way. I taped the seat - used a dremel with cut-off blade. Just make sure that you leave enough seat barrel to accomodate any reel foot that may be used. Herb
Forum: rodboard