Angler's Workshop has a few of the fly blanks left that are listed as Stream Stalker or Salt Stalker blanks. The multi modulus blanks from GUSA may also be available in limited supplies there, I believe that is what they list under the same discription in the shop line of blanks.
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19 to 23 inches usually gets you in the ballpark depending on your reel/guides. You read the article in the library right? Sure helps a lot.
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The Pac Bay upgrade is a direct bolt on. Runs much truer, and far less slop.
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I don't think a standard 5 ft blank would be a hinderance to you son. My 33 year old son has been using his rod built on a 5 ft. 3 in. Fenwick E glass blank since he was 4. We still go to the first stream we ever fished with me once a year for native cutthroat trout, the same stream I fishes at his age.
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PB Blaster is indeed some great stuff. Don't get it anywhere near a foam product.
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Ash, Have you looked in the back issues section of the RodMaker site for the info? It's in there.
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I tink some of the aviation model paints would be a better idea through a gun. some of those models are beautiful. Klass Kote and others make the epoxy paints for this that are very tough and chemical resistant I'm told.
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I have a thought, where were you when I needed one of those 50 years ago? LOL. Sounds like you have it handled to me.
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I think Pac Bay has 2 different reds in their saltwater line.
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Todd, He said he is using 10 or 11 guides on a 7 ft rod. Sounds like he is spaced out on the tip like the X 10 MC rod.
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They have probably looked at what they have sold over the years and seen that the larger tubed, small ring guides haven't sold well. Looks like they make you go up a ring size for bigger than a 6.5 tube.
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No charts, it depends on line size, etc. The first guide is on the reel, kind of give you an idea of where to start. You learn huge amounts by reading prior posts and getting some back issues of RodMaker magazine. Than you can just take a day to play with guides and a blank of your choice and you'll soon get a feel for what gives you a lighter, better rod. You just tape guides on a go out in the
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I bought on from Dan a little over 2 weeks ago. Simple to use and works very well. Sets up to do a variety of sizes.
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Tom, After the discription given in your second post, especially if you want a nice steelhead rod out of the deal also, I'd look at the Beulah 11 ft 6 in 5/6/7 spey blank. Danny Ross posts here and could really give you some assistance in you quest.
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Jonathan, Since the regular Titans are a bit heavier than the Fuji Ti, I imagine these are also. I think Mo Yang and others have posted some weights on the originals over the last couple years that can be found with a search. The ring lock guides are so new I haven't messed with them, the last few trips to Angler's Workshop they were displaying ringlock designs from all their suppliers.
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It's a steelhead blank, the discription on the Rainshadow site says about it all. I wouldn't take a rod that long to a small stream I'd use something more like the Rainshadow IP840.
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I haven't seen many small shops left. You really have to have a niche market or a solid longterm client base I think to survive as a small shop. Lots of extra duties like casting lessons, guide services, etc. to make a go of it. I don't know how you could do it if you didn't already own the building or something.
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Nothing really different Ron. I personally wouldn't add a tamer unless the rod tells me to in casting tests. You just set up the guides like you normally do and use either a #10 F guide as a stripper or a single foot spinning guide of your size choice. After the rod is all set up put a guide 1 size smaller than the stripper about 4 inches in front of the stripper with tape and go out and see if
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Klass Kote was a sponsor here a few years ago, the epoxy was originally used to paint model airplanes, etc., but makes a pretty decent finish also. It come clear or a rainbow of colors. There are probably pics of this finish here, but I know there are some good ones on the Worried Shrimp site.
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Custom Tackle does and I'm sure others.
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I have a couple SWB70 halibut rods, using heavy braid, with the black/blue BSUUG guides that are on their fourth year of use. The customer has been very happy with them. You can see a shadow of the underlining ring where the line runs, especially on the tip top.
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Agree with Jim on the guides, as far as the grip goes why not just build the grip longer to let them move their hand some during the fight? Something like the 10 1/2 inch grips used on the switch rods would get it done I think.
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I've always liked DAM Tectan when abrasion resistance wasn't a big concern.
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Don't think Bingham's Ent. does either, Angler's Workshop stopped when they had the problems after the move. Bought some of the last at FishSticks4U maybe 2 years ago.
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The exotic burl is tough stuff, I've used the burnt cork for butt caps on a few rods with good results.
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Do a little light sanding on the lighter colored cork and also on the darker cork. Cork is impervious to just about any liquid or finish so it all should be skin deep. This may bring things to near the same color, seperate rings from different trees will have a little shade difference as will different grades of cork.
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Most important thing is you now should buy your stuff from the sponsors to the left that pay for this site. You'll get better/correct materials for your build instead of the generic stuff supplied in the Cabela's kit. Could have saved some performance saving tip weight on your build through the sponsors and not spent anymore for it.
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Russell, If you have some info, like what reel your using, line, shock leader size, etc. We can probably get you pretty close on the guides. It's best to have a few guides, or other components extra than not enough as shipping and handling will eat you alive. Than you'll have some for the next rod.
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Where are you going? I haven't been anywhere where I couldn't get there with my 3 piece spin/cast rods or a 4 piece fly rod, they are about the same length in luggage. Can't imagine going anywhere in the bush where you couldn't pack in your backpack or a similar length duffle. 29 inches has always worked for me.
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Have never seen or fished the Elkhorn 7 piece rod/blanks, but I've fished a few of the 3 and 4 piece rods that they've built over the years and they are really nice rods for the money. Similar fine rods for the money are the upper end TFO rods and the Albrights.
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