Chris, Like Roger I also tie in my pull loop and trim thread at the beginning of my wrap. I lay my trim wrap thread and pull loop on the blank and wrap my main thread over both. After approx 8 turns of my main thread, this secures my loop and trim thread, I wrap my trim. 4 to 6 turns and insert into my pull loop. Pull the trim thread thru, under the main wrap and trim. Continue my main wrap
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David, I'm also a fan of the Winston line. Thomas and Thomas is very close in "feel". Sorry, I can't remember the particular model. The new Sage Circa is a step in the right direction from their usual offerings. I've not cast the new Loomis NRX Lite but reports I've read are also a step in the right direction. Nothing in the CCS system will steer you toward an equivalent "fee
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Russel, You might consider an 7'-8' 3 weight fly blank for your casting duties. Drop the line to 2# test for extended distance with lures 1/8 oz and less. The blank may handle your punishment but a long handle net would be a less risky expense.
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John, If you provide me with the distance from tip to reel and the number of guides you wish I can give some starting distances. Gene
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Is ti possible to use bleach or hydrogen peroxide as a lube or wicking agent without harming the blank. The viscosity is quite low and a simgle drop at the ferrule would be drawn into the connection. If there is mold or algea congealed the connection could be "glued" and the caustic used as an disinfectant. My problem has always been the rod seperating when not desired.
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Anthony, The distance from tip to reel should be measured to the center of the reel foot. An inch one way or the other isn't a game changer. As Joe stated this isn't an absolute science and many variations are possible. I normally input the distance and run the variables attempting to get the first guide approx 64 times the tip dia. If the rod is multi piece and I want to take advantge of the
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Anthony, I've requested Raymond Adams to post the gen 3 guide locator at the following website. If he elects to, the spreadsheet will be available to all. May require more input than you need and may be less than user friendly. The results are sound but require more input than most would address. It will address any rod length with up to 20 guides and 13 variations for each.
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Anthony, I've a spreadsheet I developed that uses an eponential progressive guide strategy for guide placement. You input reel to tip distance and number of guides and the calculation is completed. If you have the weights of the guides it will also calculate polar moment of inertia with the guide wraps for single and double wraps based on the rod taper. You can experiment with number of guide
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Don, Check to see if Adobe Reader is still installed. It's a shareware with no license fee. If you have Adobe and you are running windows open the default program listing on your start button. Scroll down to .pdf and select Click change and select the Adobe document reader to open. This should allow double click to open document. Your web browser and email may also need to be informed of h
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Paul, BINGO !!! The presentation is under the casters control not the rod's. "Killing" or adding power can be accomplished at the stroke end by manipulating the rod tip. Adding a pull back increases the roll over velocity, landing the fly with authority if needed, and a drift will reduce it allowing the fly to flutter to the water. This can be done with all fly rods of any line wei
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Eric, Well stated. Most people that don't fly fish aren't aware that how the power is applied determines how the rod is rated. Fast application of torque means the blank is fast. Slow application of torque means the blank is slow. The blank taper dictates how quickly the torque is applied. Fast application of torque increases the output of a fast blank where it diminishes the performance of
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Gary, I've been using their blanks and kits for 20 years. The last 5 years I've seen a drop in offerings and availability. Three weeks ago there were over 700 items in their tackle craft section and I purcahsed several hundred worth. Some are now backordered or discontinued. The back order items I observed were a minimum quantity of 6.
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Paul, You might also consider the Cabela's PT blank. Progressive taper, very pleasant to cast and in the bargain basement.
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Walt, 9-guide setup Distance from rod tip 4.2 : 9.1 : 14.6 : 20.8 : 28.0 : 36.1 : 45.3 : 55.9 : 67.9 8-guide setup Distance from tip 4.3 : 9.4 : 15.4 : 22.6 : 31.2 : 41.4 : 53.5 : 67.9
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Patrick, I've a guide placement equation that I use. What is the distance from the reel to the tip, what is the tip size and how many guides would you like to use ? Normally it would be 1 per foot plus 1 plus the tip top for 13 guides plus tip top. I typically build at 1 guide per foot and a tip top. I've gone as low as 1 guide per foot minus 1 but rate the blank for light tippet use only.
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Thanks to all. The Prizm white with CP is the right stuff.
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Brent, Based on the size fly you might consider a heavier line to turn over the offering. A size #6 weighted clouser would be easier to cast with an 8 weight. The extra line weight would help propel the line into the wind with only a small increase in effort if you keep the rod length to 8'. My 4 weights are well suited for weighted nymphs up to a size #10. As the fly gets much larger more ve
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Josh, I believe the MHX ultra lights are too powerful for a 3 weight. Look for a 6 foot with a butt dia less than .220 Gene
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Has anyone used white thread for trim bands on a guide winding ? A customer requested maroon windings with white trim wraps for a fly rod and I'm wondering how that will turn out. Will the trim remain white or will it fade to clear ? I'll wrap a test but would like to know what I should anticipate. Thanks, Gene
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Ray, Most milk bottle caps are manufactured from polyethylene and are very resistant to adhesives. Porosity of the material is low and the plastic is resistant to water and oil. The best way to bond is hot air welding, but that's not really an option for bonding to cork. Might try a PVC which can be surface prepped with a solvent Keep trying Gene
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Scott, Your skills as a rod builder weren't acquired overnight. Teaching requires time to become fluent in the requirements of your audience. Your next demo will be much better than your first. The nervousness will also subside. I've been teaching fly casting and tying for 20 years and can well remember my first experiences. Looked more like a comedy routine. Somehow we think teaching skill
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Cam, I generally use snakes for the lower and mid rod areas and switch to single foot for the tip. For an 8 weight I use a #2 single foot light wire titanium at the tip. The guides transition in size as I approach the butt end of the rod. Stiffer section stronger and larger guide. Some say you can't tell the difference, but my customers say otherwise and expect it on my builds.
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Fred, For an 8 weight I normally end with a #2 light wire single foot Recoil guide. A loop to loop is clear, but just. Since this only goes through when rigging it hasn't been an issue. If you prefer a large loop tip top go up to a #3. I typically use a standard loop for the previous reason and prefer the weight reduction while casting. You might also look at the 30# gel spun backing and get
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Thanks Jim, Shimano was the first place I tried prior to posting here. They just got back and confirmed exactly what you suggested. Fuji BFAT 6 - 5 Gene
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Does anyone know of what tip top and ring material were used on a G Loomis SBR812. The ring was forced out in a rod locker and he'd like a match if possible. The remaining guides are black or gunsmoke with black insert rings. Thanks, Gene
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The real question is why use a heavier guide with a smaller opening ?? It's difficult to find a guide lighter and with a larger opening than a single strand of wire.
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9 guide conservative Distance from tip 4.2 ; 9.1 ; 14.6 ; 20.8 ; 28.0 ; 36.1 ; 45.3 ; 55.9 ; 67.9 8-guide quicker rod response Distance from tip 4.3 ; 9.4 ; 15.4 ; 22.6 ; 31.2 ; 41.4 ; 53.5 ; 67.9
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Bryon, You might look at the Cabela's PT+ rod blanks. Very smooth casting, US made and on clearance in the bargain basement. Very attractive price for an excellent blank.
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Greg, You might try this 10 guide conservative Distance from tip 4.0 ; 8.5 ; 13.6 ; 19.5 ; 26.2 ; 33.8 ; 42.5 ; 52.3 ; 63.6 ; 76.4 9 guide quicker performance Distance from tip 4.3 ; 9.3 ; 15.1 ; 21.9 ; 29.7 ; 38.9 ; 49.5 ; 61.9 ; 76.4
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The VXP is very similar in casting performance to the XP. Especially the 4-piece version.
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