We would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone that helped make our first solo ICRBE a success. From setup to teardown, everything went off without a hitch. It was great to see everyone again and the gatherings at Foothills were a blast. The trip home wasn't so fun though. Front wheel bearing and axle on my truck burned up near Bluefield WV, leaving us stuck along the road about 25
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On new builds, I use epoxy. For replacement from the rear, I use 2 sided tape and lighter fluid.
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St. Croix blanks are only painted. If you scrape off the paint, you may or may not get the size you're looking for. I always remove the paint before installing the tip.
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When I built my last dropshot rod, I turned the cork so the nylon slide rings were snug. They won't move on their own, unlike some premade ones I've seen. When I mount the reel, it seems to stay put.
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Haven't used the Winn branded ones, but I have installed many TourStars. I use doube sided carpet tape and lighter fluid.
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My personal builds have them uplockong. I hold with three fingers in front of the reel foot also, and its the most comfortable 'backwards'.
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I wouldn't do it any other way anymore. Stayed at the Embassy last year and didn't have to get in my truck for the whole weekend. Walked everywhere we needed to go!
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Talked to her today around 4:30 pm. I know she has been having phone issues.
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That's good to hear. I really like St. Croix's method of dealer pricing. It's either MSRP or wholesale. No room for shenanigans like that.
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Looks to me like it just added another middleman between my supplier and the manufacturer. Can't see how this will benefit the end user because another finger in the cookie jar typically leads to higher prices.
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I build because what I wanted wasn't available on the shelf and I got tired of paying someone else to build it for me.
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The TourStar and Winn grips have a thin rubbery layer bonded over the EVA. You would not be able to turn them.
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I've done a couple TourStars with 16mm Aero seats. Haven't used the Winns yet.
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Ti/SiC TKLSG20H 41gn (Avg. of 2) TKLSG12H 17gn (Avg. of 2) TKLSG12 12gn (Avg. of 2) TKBSG4.5 1gn (Avg. of 4) TKTSG4.5 1gn (Avg. of 8) Ti/Torsite TKLTG20H 36gn (weighed single) TKLTG12H 14gn (weighed single) TKLTG12 8gn (weighed single) TKBTG4 1gn (Avg. of 2) TKTTG4 0.8gn (Avg. of 5)
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I believe Alconite is lighter than SiC. I don't have a Ti/Alconite to weigh, but I do have like sizes of Ti/SiC and Torsite I can check.
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Built one in the 4wt for one of my customers. He bought an extra blank when they discontinued them for just such an emergency.
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I dont believe any guides are solid Ti, they are all alloys. The Ti Alconites are the same Ti alloy that the TiSiCs are made of. The IC SiC series are Ti plated stainless.
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If you have proof that you purchased the blank, Decal Connection will make the decal for you. Providing you send them the artwork. I also have Rainshadow, Forecast, Shikari, CTS and St. Croix artwork. And since becoming a NFC ARB, I have a whole folder of art, provided by them.
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Only the RX7 fly blanks are (were?) still available in the green. My stock of green blanks is depelted too!
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the dry transfers are a pain to apply. I had a friend incorporate their artwork into my standard decal/logo and had Decal Connection make a peel-n-stick.
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Gloss
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I never would have believed it, but I weighed some blue rings tonight......and it's true.
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I'm using #4 Alconites and 3.5 SiC and have no problem passing 10# braid with 6# and 8# leaders. I use a uni-uni knot.
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Three rods since the show? I haven't been able to bring myself to wrap a single guide! I did manage to re-grip 5 rods for a customer tho!
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As close as it is to the end, I'd just trim the damaged area and replace the tip. Use this as a learning experience.
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This is the first year I'm not overly excited. Could be because I don't have anything ready to go. This time last year, I had everything ready to load in the trailer. I just started prepping last night and we still have to price and inventory everything! February came around fast this year!
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I managed to talk myself out if it. Gonna take the rent money and get my home shop in order. Build a dirty room for the lathe, drill press, saw and glue-up and add a couple more benches for dryers.
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Been giving thought to moving my rod shop from my basement to a small room (14'x30') at a retail location. Thoughts? Pros and cons?
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....to the ICRBE? I'm in need of a case of Heady Topper. Haven't had any since summer and I'm going thru withdrawal. Please shoot me an email!
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If its on burl cork, I apply it with a paper towel while it turns on the lathe.....just enough to make the cork change color, then I take a dry paper towel and remove any excess. Its able to be handled and mounted immediately. If its for a reel seat insert. I apply with my finger while turning on th lathe. 4-6 coats with a light scuff between coats to remove any high spots or dust that might h
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