Wednesday, May 25, 2011

A New Build

I've been hankering for a build that departs a bit from what I've done in the past, and I think I've found just the project.

While I love fiberglass and would happily build with glass blanks only for the rest of my life, sometimes I need a little less flex and weight. Open water and big streamers, which I am fishing more and more, calls for something fairly fast, long, and light. I'm not a big guy by any means; most people say that I have to run around in the shower to get wet. My father refers to me as two watermelon seeds nailed to a 2x4. I'll be the first to admit that I get a little worn out casting my 8wt glass rods all day. So...a new build is born.

I envisioned a real tank, something with the power down low of glass and the ability to load in fairly close with big stuff and an intermediate line but with the guns sufficient to bomb some serious line out regardless of fly, wind, or chop. I think I happened on the perfect blank.

I don't want to give details now, but it's a graphite 6wt that has blown the socks off the rod building community, performs exactly as advertised, is from a fairly small shop and brilliantly USA-made. To really depart from my norm, this blank is FAST, perhaps even truly ultra-fast (though that is an elusive characteristic, far more rare in reality than in catalogs). From what I can tell from spec sheets, reviews and gut-feeling, this rod is going to be a straight-up streamer howitzer. ...exactly what I need for big browns and medium salt. hee-hee

Stay tuned!

2 comments:

  1. Streamer-howitzer, love it! It's exactly why I love my TFO Professional series 6wt. Can't wait to get the rest of the story!

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  2. Kevin,

    I have heard REALLY good things about those rods, and people seem to especially love the 5wts and up. And hey, you can't go wrong with TFO! Thanks for reading!

    I'm working on picking wrap color(s), but have very limited time to spend on it these days. ...news will come as it slooowly develops. ha

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