Hi, Phil. I am currently looking for another 10 weight blank for big Northern Pike and Muskies and have always wanted to try a CTS blank. I know some things about the Affinity X but I am intrigued by the MX because while fast is nice, I find it weird to have to overline a rod. The MX is not listed on CTS' web site and not sure why. Herb Ladenheim is also telling me about the rod he designed
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Hi, Tony. I know it has been a long time since you had this conversation, but I have a 10 weight FTXL and even Dan Craft himself does not have any experience with this particular weight. Would you say the FTXL is "true to weight"? Dan Craft said use a line that weighs more to the "higher end" (of the 10 weight slot). Thanks, Tony
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Hey, Bob and Billy. (Billy Bob????) So we think there was a frosty stainless version with a Cermet ring and the "T1" designation means it was Titanium? or as Billy points out, they were both Titanium but in different colors? Thanks, guys. Tony
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Can anyone tell me what is the difference between a Fuji Cermet casting guide that is NGG versus a T1 NGG? They look the same to me, but what wondering why some have model number with "T1" pre-fix. Thank You
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Thanks to everyone who replied!
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Hi, Phil. Were the stand off guides invented for use on other types of rods? Thanks, Tony
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I have decided to replace the insert guides on an old fly rod to see if I can tell the difference in the action of the blank and have decided to use single foot wire Seymo (Hopkins and Holloway) guides. I am placing the H&H guides in the same locations as where the insert guides were. Should I use the "low" version of the guide or the "standoff" version of the guide
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Do not forget Lemke reel seats as well!
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REC Components in Stafford Springs, CT makes reel seats, guides and a number of accessories. Snake Guides as someone else mentioned are made in Washington state. 'merica!
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I have a heat gun where you can adjust the temperature in F or C. I used to know this, but what is the best temperature for softening the epoxy on guide wraps so that I can remove them? This is of course means hot enough to do the job but not so hot that it cooks the crap out of everything? Thanks
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I am planning to use some knurled winding checks from Jann's Netcraft. I have been using the Mudhole and REC lines for years, but this will be a first. Does anyone have any real world experience on how well the finish holds up? They are anodized, so I do not expect any issues and Jann's certainly has some nice stuff, but again....I have no experience with these winding checks.
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Steve has had some health issues for a while now. I talk to him on a regular basis because he is such a cool guy but he is not sure when he can get back to turning. What I need, he does not have in stock, so this would be "turn to order". Thanks, Tony
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Does anyone know who is making to sell, wooden inserts for fly rod seats - that are the quality of Steve Hoye from Klondike Custom Rods? If you ever saw or touched his stuff, you would know what I am talking about. Thanks
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Hey, thanks, guys. These are both great ideas and I like the inspiration behind them. I know blues will work but looking forward to something that contrasts. I'll let you know!
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Can you say BLING? I was amazed at the color of these blanks. They are like a Cobalt Blue Chrome. Has anyone found any thread colors that work well with these? I found an image of one with Aqua Blue wraps and that was nice. Another rodbuilder showed how we uses a dark shade of blue, which does work well, but I like contrast. Thanks, Tony
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Thanks, James. I just ordered the Eternity 2, so I appreciate the further confirmation that this blank is the ONE I should try.
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Hey, y'all. I appreciate the replies. After discussing this with someone that really knows blanks - and agreed the RX7+ was one of the greatest blanks ever made - I am going to try an Eternity 2. Apparently, many people that liked casting the RX7+ enjoy this one as well.
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I have a number of rods built on those beautiful Chestnut Brown RX7+ blanks that were discontinued long ago. If I wanted to get a blank that had similar or same action, feel and performance, what would y'all recommend? Thanks, Tony
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I will truly miss Ken and now regret not getting down there to NC to fish with him. The first time I met Ken was at an ICRBE in Charlotte, NC when I had decided I wanted to learn rod building. I asked him if he gave classes and he gruffly said "No". Anyone that knows him can understand what I experienced. His comedic timing was perfect and as I was taken aback, he then said "Bu
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Craig - That is interesting. You had 6mm TITANIUM TIPFs for the running guides then switched to the Recoil snake guides and noticed a significant difference? Thanks, Tony
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Thanks to all who replied. Ask me later if you want to know how this experiment went. These are definitely light guides, so I am not as concerned about the foot length any more.
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For those who build fly rods using single foot insert guides, have you used ALPS Titanium F-Guide TIPF single foot running guides? I know I like the Titanium XN series for stripping guides but the feet on the TIPF seem a little long to me and I am just not sure what that might do to the action. Thanks in advance.
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Hi, Roger. I second the remarks about CTS and Phenix. CTS is the master of making multi-piece rods on any or all of their blanks and I myself just ordered one of the new Phenix Redeye blanks. I like the company and have seen and felt their product. It amazes me how few options are available in travel rods for throwing 1/2 oz to 1 oz lures. Cheers, Tony
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For all you rod builders, if someone brings to you or asks you about building out a 4 pc, 8 foot CTS casting rod, Deep Blue with orange metallic trigger casting seat, please let me know. I was shipping the rod to a builder and it appears someone at the FedEx distribution center has plucked it off a truck or out of the cage. Long story, it was labelled FedEx Ground, the Express guy picked up
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Can anyone tell me how they store and ship one piece casting rods that are 7 feet long? I am looking at a number of options other than sections of PVC which I already have. For example, St. Croix offers cloth rod sacks that can accommodate spinning or casting rods and it looks like you can get aluminum tubes up to 84" long. Thanks
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Jim - I would love to see that catalog. You can private message me and I will send you my mailing address. Thanks, Tony
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I heard something interesting this morning and there is ZERO trace of any supporting information on the internet. Fuji bought Hopkins and Holloway or at the very least has helped them with their manufacturing processes? I also heard they no long offer that teardrop shaped single foot wire guide, changed the black to a powder coat finish and offer a solid (not plated) Titanium guide. Which
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TruOil gets harder with more coats and sanding. I also use General Finishes' Outdoor Oil which was formulated for outdoor furniture. The Outdoor Oil hardens but feels less plasticy.
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Thanks, Don and Roger. I am switching hands as all my reels are right handed and I cast with right and reel with my right. I think I will make the handles on my dedicated vertical jigging rods a little longer than the handles on my dedicated casting rods where, if it weren't for switching back and forth, I would have made them a lot longer. Cheers.
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Thanks, Don and Roger. I am switching hands as all my reels are right handed and I cast with right and reel with my right. I think I will make the handles on my dedicated vertical jigging rods a little longer than the handles on my dedicated casting rods where, if it weren't for switching back and forth, I would have made them a lot longer. Cheers.
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