For fishing the trout streams in PA I would focus less on the brand and more on the length and line weight your brother in law desires. You might want to check out the CCS data available through this site. I fish trout in similar waters and have personally found a true 4 weight ideal. For me that equates to CCS figures like: ERN = 4.2 - 4.5, and AA = 62 - 65. Most of the 4 weight rods I use and e
Forum: rodboard

Gregory, I think you have one of the old Fenwick Seahawk California saltwater blanks. I looked at some of the old Fenwick blank catalogs I have, but didn't see the LBE787 listed. I see LBE789 and LBE865, both 6'-6" blanks. They are honey colored. What color is your blank and is there any additional numbers or letters on the blank. Maybe someone has a Fenwick catalog that will show your part
Forum: rodboard

Chuck, Thanks for the information, and yes, I did mean colored blanks. I've only had a problem once (I learned fast) and it was with the St. Croix SCV brown pearl finish. I think I'll give the dry transfer decal a try, it seems a great way to customize a decal for each rod I build. Thanks again and I'll look for the pictures you post. John Gertz
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Chuck, Any other way to remove unwanted adhesive without the use of alcohol? I found that alcohol can damage the fiinsh on St. Croix SCV blanks, so I tend to be cautious with it now on all blanks. Lastly, what brand laminator did you buy? Thanks for the help. John Gertz
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There is so much discussion on how to apply epoxy finish, could someone possibly film and post the process via an mpeg? maybe this has been done already, but if not it seems it would help a lot of people. Seeing it done using a couple of techniques, e.g. brush and spatula, would help many who struggle with this. For that matter why not have short clips of other techniques as well. How to start y
Forum: rodboard

I just used Aftcote last week for the first time and like it. It is a bit thinner than Flex Coat High Build and does have a longer pot life. Bubbles released easily and it leveled just fine, but I use very thin applications regardless of what brand I use. It takes a bit longer to cure as well. I think getting used to any particular epoxy finish is the key, they all work. If you're used to Flex Co
Forum: rodboard

Tim, it was bad enough about the noise, but I just read your post about Recoils grooving too, now I'm really worried! I have ordered Fuji titanium/Sic top and stripper for use in compbination with the Recoil snakes. I want to keep weight down and thought I had it covered. I'm worried, but perhaps I don't have to worry too much. The rod is a 5 weight fly rod for trout fishing so I don't anticipate
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I just read a post about Recoil guides being noisy. I have some standard weight snake guides on order and this bit of information has me worried. What kind of noise are we talking about. Can someone describe this better, and why is this peculiar to Recoil guides?
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I think you can add Diamondback to the list.
Forum: rodboard

Anthony - The H&H guides are great and so are the REC guides. You might try some 3's too along with a large tip top, no need to go overly large on the guides if you don't have to. I would not use 10 guides on that rod. It's under 9 feet long and getting 10 guides on it starts to get things crowded. I used 9 guides myself and it was fine. Good luck.
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I've built this rod. I have since sold it too, and didn't record the guide spacing I used. I can tell you I put my stripping guide about 29" from the front of my fly reel almost all the time. I rarely use a factory guide placement chart, or if I do it's for reference only. Try a stripper guide 29" from the front of your reel, place the other guides as you like, cast the rod and make ad
Forum: rodboard

I'm building a new canteen green colored SCIII fly rod now, and selected Angler Workshop olive green (number 806), and think it looks great. I also liked the tan colors, but opted for less contrast.
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I haven't used the new Cortland lines, but don't happen to think a half weight is really needed. I use mostly med-fast rods and I don't think I'd like the supple Sylk line that much, but you might? I think if you know the distances you will be fishing at and the rod you will be using you can simply move up or down a line weight to make it all work. Buying extra lines to get more versatility out o
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