Fishing The Fly Scotland
Index => Rod Building => Topic started by: Mike Barrio on 12/02/2014 at 12:10
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Hi folks :z16
Epic Glass Fly Rods ...... We initially built a prototype demo Epic 580 fly rod on Carl McNeil's blank from New Zealand.
Carl had told me all about his fibreglass blanks quite a while ago, how much development he had put into the project and how awesome they were to cast, I ( like many folk I guess ) thought "why glass?" I don't remember glass rods as being anything special and we moved on to carbon for a reason ......... but I saw more and more people that I know and respect raving about them, curiosity got the better of me and we just had to try one!
To say that we were a little surprised at how good the blank felt when it arrived would be a big understatement and once Sandy had built the prototype and we played with it ..... We could see what all the buzz was about! :cool:
I'm not sure that I fully understand all the technical side of this modern fibreglass material used to make the blanks, but I do know that I like it. I would describe the rod as Progressive / Mid flex / Medium fast ...... with an awesome recovery rate, I have never cast a glass blank like this!
Here is the prototype demo rod.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2_23_04_13_10_58_14.jpeg)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2_23_04_13_10_57_46.jpeg)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2_23_04_13_10_57_17.jpeg)
And here are a couple of cracking custom Epic 580 fly rods that Sandy built for customers in 2013 :cool:
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2_08_06_13_12_08_28.jpeg)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2_11_06_13_5_57_09.jpeg)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2_08_06_13_12_09_05.jpeg)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2_07_07_13_10_31_09.jpeg)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2_07_07_13_10_31_45.jpeg)
We have a very limited number of Epic 580 blanks in hand. Sandy is going to "do his magic" building some cracking rods with them and these will become available as and when each one is ready.
He has just finished building the first rod for sale, which you can see below with rod bag & tube and each Epic fly rod will be different :cool:
The rather cool ( or should that be hot? ) Salsa Epic 580 :cool: ..... Which is no longer available
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2_12_02_14_11_56_12.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=1728)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2_12_02_14_12_01_09.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=1729)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2_12_02_14_12_01_39.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=1730)
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And if anybody would like the original prototype demo Epic 580 ..... this is available for £250 :cool:
Best wishes
Mike
The original Epic 580 prototype demo rod ( first 3 photos at the top ) is now sold and is heading off to explore the wonderful streams of Austria :z16
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Alexandr "Troutist" would like to see a video of somebody casting an Epic fly rod, but I haven't got one and it is unlikely we'll try to make one in the current weather :z6
One for the spring :cool:
Cheers
Mike
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What is this modern Epic fibreglass all about? ....... Learn all about it here:
http://swiftflyfishing.com/pages/about-the-epics (http://swiftflyfishing.com/pages/about-the-epics)
http://swiftflyfishing.com/pages/epic-specs (http://swiftflyfishing.com/pages/epic-specs)
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I don't have any video, but here's how a 100+ foot cast looks. :z16
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/10911_13_02_14_2_05_59.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=1734)
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So I'm seeing that someone wants a lightsabre instead of a trout rod.
I'm sorry chaps, I don't care how well it casts, but that salsa rod is just hideous.
Where's my shades ? :z13
I'd still like to try one but maybe not in that particular shade of hi-viz.
:z1
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I'm sorry chaps, I don't care how well it casts, but that salsa rod is just hideous.
I take it you don't like this one then Euan :z4 :z4 :z4
Rods, reels, wading jackets and I guess all fishing tackle ..... are like cars, sofas and shoes ( handbags even :shock ) ..... we all like different things :cool:
Don't worry, there will only be one Salsa Epic available and each rod will be a different colour :wink
Cheers
Mike
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Don't worry, there will only be one Salsa Epic available and each rod will be a different colour :wink
There was on on Ebay a little while back that had been "dipped" to give it a camo finish. It actually looked pretty good! The chap was advertising that he could colour any blank by water transfer dipping.
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These blanks are in the original Epic colours Rob, you can see the colours available by following the links further up the thread :cool:
Cheers
Mike
Here are some of the colours available, plus there is an orange, olive and brown. Hey, it rains in NZ too :z4
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2_08_11_13_4_12_01.jpeg)
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I don't have any video, but here's how a 100+ foot cast looks. :z16
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/10911_13_02_14_2_05_59.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=1734)
That was fun Rich .... and certainly not what they were designed to do :z4
Cheers
Mike
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I don't have any video, but here's how a 100+ foot cast looks. :z16
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/10911_13_02_14_2_05_59.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=1734)
Wow!
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Alexandr "Troutist" would like to see a video of somebody casting an Epic fly rod, but I haven't got one and it is unlikely we'll try to make one in the current weather :z6
One for the spring :cool:
Cheers
Mike
we all look forward to it!
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That was fun Rich .... and certainly not what they were designed to do :z4
Cheers
Mike
Quite right, Mike, but being blasted by some of the best casters in the world to distances over 100 feet left me impressed with many things. They sure can take a beating, they're wicked smooth and very fast. All things I doubted prior to casting them.
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we all look forward to it!
By the way ..... Check out Alexandr's website folks http://troutist.ru/ (http://troutist.ru/)
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We have a very limited number of Epic 580 blanks in hand. These are Limited supply and will become available as and when each one is ready.
The first rod is now for sale, which you can see below with rod bag & tube and each Epic fly rod will be different :cool:
This one is 'Salsa' and has a Nickel silver and Rosewood reel seat, Fine wire Snake rings and a cracking Flor grade Cork Grip. It is whipped with a spicy ginger pearsalls silk and has 3 very thin coats of Epoxy to the whippings to keep things slim and transparent.
The rather cool ( or should that be hot? ) Salsa Epic 580 :cool: ..... Which is no longer available
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2_12_02_14_11_56_12.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=1728)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2_12_02_14_12_01_09.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=1729)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2_12_02_14_12_01_39.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=1730)
The next rod in production is an Olive green one, whipped with Transparent Ash Grey Silk and a Burled Elder And Nickel reel seat :z12 which should be ready in the next couple of weeks. I'll post the pictures once things are properly cured and ready for use.
Following this there are just 3 blanks remaining , One Nude, one Flame and one Amber, if anyone wants to pre-order one and get to specify the build then drop me a PM and we can discuss it further, otherwise i'l build them as i think they should look and they will be posted for sale :z18
Thanks for looking.
Sandy
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very good!
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I've decided to Keep the Darkside's Lightsaber for myself as i think it looks great :z12
Its great fun on the Ythan were it acts like a mini Switch rod and is spot on for fun with the finnock :z16
So I have done some photo's for the Olive rod which is finished now and no longer available
It has a flor grade handle and a nickel silver and Burled elder reel seat, fine wire double leg snakes and is whipped in Ash Grey silk. It comes with Epic bag and rod tube.
Hope you like it, i think the olive looks fantastic in the daylight and adds another interesting twist on the Whole Epic concept.
(http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh7/skuesapprentice/oliveepic3.jpg) (http://s252.photobucket.com/user/skuesapprentice/media/oliveepic3.jpg.html)
(http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh7/skuesapprentice/oliveepic4.jpg) (http://s252.photobucket.com/user/skuesapprentice/media/oliveepic4.jpg.html)
(http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh7/skuesapprentice/oliveepic2.jpg) (http://s252.photobucket.com/user/skuesapprentice/media/oliveepic2.jpg.html)
(http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh7/skuesapprentice/oliveepic1.jpg) (http://s252.photobucket.com/user/skuesapprentice/media/oliveepic1.jpg.html)
As an update on the remaining Blanks, we have a Flame and an Amber left in stock as the Nude is currently in Construction for a customer in Finland :z12 He has gone for a Modern twist on the build with single leg rings and invisible wraps with a highlight, great fun to be building something different. Every Epic so far has been quite different in terms of build but all equally great in terms of performance. :z16
Cheers
Sandy
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They are just getting better and better Sandy ..... Nice, very nice! :z16
Cheers
Mike
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They sure are beautiful colours and you're doing them justice sandy :z16
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:z16
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So that's where recycled Mountain Dew bottles go when they get binned......
Still fugly but not as fugly as the red one. I'm sure they are lovely things to cast but OMG the colour schemes make my eyes bleed.
Any chance they might make a 9'.#4 weight in black?
:z1
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Like the colour of that green one Sandy, what thread have you used that has gone transparent on the feet but olive on the blank?
Cheers
Ben
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So that's where recycled Mountain Dew bottles go when they get binned......
Still fugly but not as fugly as the red one. I'm sure they are lovely things to cast but OMG the colour schemes make my eyes bleed.
Any chance they might make a 9'.#4 weight in black?
:z1
Sorry Euan,
I think it looks pretty cool and if I was not buggering off for a few years I would be tempted if it casts as good as it looks. Then again I do have a green sage and a blue Helios 2.
Eddie. :X2
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Ben
It's Langley super fine silk #10 smoke.
I thought the effect was pretty cool too :z16
Thanks for all the comments :z18
Sandy
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Wow! These rods are amazing. Must get my hands on one to try.
Campbell
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Here's the latest one built for a customer in Finland.
He wanted it to be sympathetic to his Nautilus reel (silver with red drag) and to be a bit more modern in appearance.
I hope he is happy with the effect, it was a bit tricky but turned out really nice. Almost Classic Glass, ironic given it is a modern style build, but perhaps thats the secret to a modern classic :z7 he has kindly allowed me to share some photo's of his build :z18
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19_09_04_14_3_42_02.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=1918)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19_09_04_14_3_42_25.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=1919)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19_09_04_14_3_43_02.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=1920)
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19_09_04_14_3_43_29.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=1921)
So that gives a few more ideas of what can be done with these special blanks :z16
Sandy
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Olive Epic "no longer available" ......... Mr B is going to take this one fishing! It is such a stunning rod I couldn't resist it :z4
Cheers
Mike
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Here's the latest one built for a customer in Finland.
He wanted it to be sympathetic to his Nautilus reel (silver with red drag) and to be a bit more modern in appearance.
I hope he is happy with the effect, it was a bit tricky but turned out really nice. Almost Classic Glass, ironic given it is a modern style build, but perhaps thats the secret to a modern classic :z7 he has kindly allowed me to share some photo's of his build :z18
So that gives a few more ideas of what can be done with these special blanks :z16
Sandy
The customer is more than happy... Thanks Sandy for the awesome build!
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Cracking build that. :z16
Personnally, I hate transparent whippings as I cannot understand why anyone would want to see the state of the foot of the average wire guide, but I totally appreciate the skill involved in the build.
That red accent, is that 2/3 turn tucked and then super glued to allow removal of the tag ends?
As I said, really is a cracking build. :z14
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Cheers Rob :z16
No superglue :wink it would interfere with the clear finish and yes getting the feet to look nice is probably a bigger issue than the whipping, but i think its worth the effort. It was a fun build :z12
Sandy
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Cheers Rob :z16
No superglue :wink it would interfere with the clear finish and yes getting the feet to look nice is probably a bigger issue than the whipping, but i think its worth the effort. It was a fun build :z12
Sandy
And fun is what it is about...although after last nights disaster with my Czech nymph rod, I have lost the fun element! I have switched to Rodpro Lite as I heard good reports, but for some reason, despite my blank being cleaned and de-greased as normal, the finish reseambled the Somme this morning. Not happy!
Will have to remove all the fancy work I did on the butt and start again. Back to Threadmaster for me...
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The Amber Epic 580 is now sold :z16
That just leaves us with the Flame (orange) 580 blank, a very rare one this, there were only a few Flame blanks made.
Cheers
Mike
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The Flame Epic 580 is now sold :z16
That's the last one folks, we have no more in stock.
Best wishes
Mike
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Olive Epic and olive SLX :cool:
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2_01_06_14_12_29_42.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2041)
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Carrying on with the olice theme...I give you Olive from On the Buses...
(http://i3.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article1150260.ece/alternates/s615/Anna%20Karen%20in%20%22On%20the%20Buses%22%201969)
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Hi All
For those of you who are not aware. Mike is no longer going to be doing fishing rods as part of the Barrio range :cry.
However as we already have the deal set up with Carl McNeil for the Epic blanks I have had it transferred across to me.
I really love the rods and I am going to continue to build on the blanks. I don’t want to see them disappear from the UK marketplace as they are quite different and despite not being everyone’s cup of tea they should have a place on people’s option list. :z16
I will be appearing on Carl’s list as the UK builder once we get things properly set up.
The rods will be available direct from me and we are going to create a page with ‘buy it now’ features, for the ones I will be building in my own simple, low profile , translucent style, which I think complements the blank colours. However they will be available to order with customisable options
The first batch of blanks will be here soon and they include 480 and 580 models in Nude, Mocha and 580 models in Olive. I personally think the 8ft models are the most useful day to day sizes and my 580 has been a constant companion on the Don most days this year.
I want to build rods people will use, as the fiberglass creates a rugged and sensitive fly rod, however they will only be produced in very small numbers and use the best hardwood/nickel reel seats, the best cork, gossamer silks and top quality hardware.
So every rod is unique and exclusivity is guaranteed.
If anyone is interested in the meantime contact me direct and we can discuss further.
Cheers :z18
Sandy
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:z16 :z16 :z16
Like you say, it's great to have a choice. Good luck in the venture :)
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Cheers Dude :z18
They are fun to make as well as being great to use. Thats why i'm happy to be doing it :z16
Sandy
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Cheers Dude :z18
They are fun to make as well as being great to use. Thats why i'm happy to be doing it :z16
Sandy
I might have to have a thrash about with one of these fabled rods! I am coming around to your builds ;)
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I might have to have a thrash about with one of these fabled rods! I am coming around to your builds ;)
My own one is available for anyone to have a chuck with, just succumbed to R&D and changed the reel seat :X2
All in the name of providing a few lovely options. :z3
Sandy
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New reel seat in action last night.
(http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh7/skuesapprentice/IMG_5522.jpg) (http://s252.photobucket.com/user/skuesapprentice/media/IMG_5522.jpg.html)
well impressed, it holds the reel perfectly, with no issues, it lighter than the uplock and suits the rod even more.
I've 4 more of them and they all have beautiful Figured Western Maple wood.
(http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh7/skuesapprentice/IMG_5530.jpg) (http://s252.photobucket.com/user/skuesapprentice/media/IMG_5530.jpg.html)
I love it and it will be great alternative.
Sandy
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That looks smart Sandy :z16
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really liking that Sandy ! :z16
i'd prefer it turned around (uplock) as i had done on my bamboo rod but that's just a matter of personal taste.
cheers,
marc
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Greetings from Slovenia!
My Sandy-built Epic 580 is working like a charm :) Caught this nice rainbow this morning with Epic 580 and a 12ft 6x leader and a size #14 dryfly... 15 minutes of pure joy... :D
Btw. The first fish caught with this rod was a marble trout :)
Good times :)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/21/eqesu6eq.jpg)
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Hi Ari,
Thanks for posting the photo and sharing your experiences, I'm really pleased that you like your Epic! :z16
Best wishes
Mike
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Great to see the rods in action :z16
I'm really pleased you are enjoying it Ari, I was very proud of that one. :z18
Sandy
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Great to see the rods in action :z16
I'm really pleased you are enjoying it Ari, I was very proud of that one. :z18
Sandy
It is perfect with dry flies. Presents the flies well and most importantly it protects the small leaders when the fish strike :) These rainbows in Slovenia are natural river born fish and give you one hell of a fight :)
Someday I might want to get a smaller Epic as well :D
Cheers, Ari
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
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Fantastic colours in the photo, fish looking good next to the Epic. :z16
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(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/13/aba7ypez.jpg)
Epic 580 and Nautilus FWX in Northern Finland. Good times.
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Great photo :z16
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I like that, burning then old split cane rod and moving on to glass fibre.
That's progress for you :wink
Just kidding :!
I'll get my coat :z13
H
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why burn them when they make such nice tomato plant stakes ? :X2 :roll :z4
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(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/15/esugurys.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/15/u2asy3e4.jpg)
Grayling with a dry fly. 44cm. Epic 580!
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Great photos, thanks for sharing them Ari, it looks like a nice piece of water too :z16
Best wishes
Mike
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Yes Mike it is a very nice place :) Far far away in the most northern Finland. See map here: http://goo.gl/maps/r0Sk7
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Very Nice Ari :z16
Thanks for sharing, i like the look of your river a lot :z18 And Grayling are my favourite :z3
Sandy
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Hi all!
Here is a picture of a nice wild Slovenian rainbow trout from my recent trip :z12
-Ari
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/11090-230615130210.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=2863)
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Nice one Ari :z16
Best wishes
Mike
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Cracking photo, pretty fish.
Thanks for sharing that Ari, much appreciated :z18
Sandy
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More Epics in action :cool:
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I see Swift are now producing 4 piece glass blanks. Are they planning on phasing out the 3 piece or will they continue to do both?
I can't see any advantages of going to 4 piece. The shorter than normal lengths make them just as easy to transport as my 4 piece carbon rods.
Does anyone know why they are changing?
:z18
Liam
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Will see if Carl or Trev from Swift could give us some feedback on that one ....... but I guess Sandy would know.
Cheers
Mike
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The shorter than normal lengths make them just as easy to transport as my 4 piece carbon rods.
hi Liam,
my Epic 476-3 piece in its tube is longer than any of my 9' - 4 piece rods.
for 'normal' outings around the home via the car they're no problem but for airplane travel they require a (much) bigger travel bag.
these really big bags cost a lot, they usually weigh a lot (reducing effective luggage carry limit) and their size tends to be overkill volume-wise.
i haven't talked to Carl about this but i'm pretty sure that's one of the considerations behind the 4 piece design.
besides, ferrule design has come a long way with several 'travel' rods having very good actions. the Macenzie double-handers are a great example of this.
cheers,
marc
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Marc :z16
Makes sense to me now. I hadn't taken into consideration travelling abroad, where you are right the bags are big heavy and cost a lot to transport. I should know I returned from Thailand with a 7ft rod case as I bought a 1 piece rod i couldn't leave behind :z4 :z4
In terms of action they will remain the same or very close to it I imagine?? Yeah the Atlas range are pretty sweet rods and I don't like double handers :z7
:z18
Liam
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You have pretty much nailed the resoning behind it :z16
There were a lot of requests for them to be more transportable, especially the 686 as folk want to take their Epics on Holiday.
There has been a good years worth of effort gone into getting the action to translate into 4 pc, so the rods feel the same as the existing product.
I've not had the chance to try one out yet, so couldn't comment beyond Carls explanation, when i asked the same questions.
However i will hopefully see one fairly soon and can report back.
For now both 3pc and 4pc will run concurrently, but i would imagine for the future all the rods will be 4 pc.
This will make a big difference to me in Shipping costs to Europe :z16
Fundamentally the rods are staying the same, same colours, same actions, same sizes, just the configuration thats changing.
Sandy