Fishing The Fly Scotland
Index => Rod Building => Topic started by: Sandy Nelson on 02/02/2019 at 16:34
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HI Folks
Been a busy few months, which is why i've been pretty quiet, however i have found myself in a position whereby i'm finished all this years rod builds well ahead of schedule. So as i often get asked if i have a rod ready, off the shelf so to speak, and i have a few extra blanks which i bought for stock then i thought i would build another 580 to fill this niche.
As its for stock and no-one else is picking components i thought it might be fun if i let you guys choose the bits (instead of me doing my own thing all time). :z18
So the plan is i will post a poll with some photographs for us to vote on the build spec, e.g. the choice of blank colour, the wooden insert, the shape of grip, the agate guide and the style of whippings. I'll do a seperate poll for each aspect and i'll update this post as components are picked and as the build progresses, treating the rod the same way as i do all the custom builds but with the forum in the role of the customer. I hope you all join in as I think it could be quite an interesting project to see how design by committee turns out. :z16 I'll let each poll run for 5 Days, some i may run concurrently so i get the chance to have the rod finished for the start of the season.
The only things that are pre-determined are, its going to be a 580 and it will be dark nickel rings and uplocking metalwork.
So the first poll will be for the blank Colour.
NUDE
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020219163657.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5368)
AMBER
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020219163736.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5369)
I'll run the poll for 5 days
Cheers
Sandy
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What a great idea Sandy :z16
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Sandy,
I have voted but I don't care either way. The amber looks like bamboo so that would probably upset more people so I went with that. Wood and glass, aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!
When you build my next one it will be a 580 so at least you will have one for me to try!
And coincidently, I was in Angus Angling today and saw the new Guideline Fario reel in the new #6 size. It now comes in bronze so I was fantasizing about that on a 580 and then I see this post.
It is a sign! :z14
Euan
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I got one of Sandys builds prior to Christmas and was torn between nude and olive when I was choosing my blank.
I opted for olive which I think is really nice but it was 50 / 50 between the two.
So for this poll, it’s nude all the way as I think it looks ace.
Not had a cast with my new rod yet, can’t wait for winter to pass.
Plenty of time for me to keep searching for a new reel though.
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Now this is a fascinating thread well worth following, to say I'm intrigued would be a very big understatement. I'm relishing the outcome. :z12
Edit: voted for the amber - just to make it a bit closer. :z16
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Sandy,
I have two olive epics but I really like the nude one so it’s nude for my vote.
Eddie
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Sandy has kindly built 3 stunning Epics for me in salsa, olive and amber.
So I shall vote for nude!
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Thanks for all the comments and for voting :z16
So its an Honorable draw, at least that keeps things normal for me, a lot of folk have difficulty deciding which colour they want, so my next move is usually to try and find out what sort of style they have in mind and that often suggests which colour we will build.
So i'll make the call on the colour when i see which way we are going. I'm afraid most of the choices will be on Nude blanks as i have only made a few ambers and have less pictures to choose from, but the build styles work well for both, we just might change the colours. We will choose the actually colours later in the process.
So the next choice is style of build.
A. Semi traditional with wraps in light natural colours, to make the rod look organic, this usually leads to softer colour inserts and lighter agates, often leads to wrap tippings to add a bit more colour, but keping the rod soft and natural.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-070219195550.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5371)
B. Again semi traditional but with strong bold colours, this can also look pretty fresh and modern, but is not for the shrinking violet. it can go with lovely strong agates and inserts too, rarely with tippings as the strong colours dominate. These rods really pop.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-070219195919.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5372)
C. Modern/Skandi style, clean ghost wraps for a minimalist build, pretty much a signature look for me and how a large percentage of builds end up. it shows off the colour of the blank and allows you to put the details in the agates and insert. Very cool.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-070219200159.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5373)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-070219200227.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5374)
D. A hybrid of the styles where the main bulk of the rod is done clean with ghost wraps, but some colour is introduced, either with tippings to the wraps, or by using a stronger solid colour on the stripper guide. This lends itself to any insert/agate style as you can pull them together in different ways, using the extra colours, if we do this style then that would be a additional choice later in the choices.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-070219200550.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5375)
Again the Poll will run for 5 days and hopefully the style choice will inspire me with a blank choice.
Cheers
Sandy
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Sandy,
version C for me. Tres cool.
Eddie :z18
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Has to be an "A" for me..... keeping with tradition or sum such... :X2
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C all the way for me :z16
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C just edges it, although A is a good alternative.
Heck I also like B and the bright wraps.
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And it's a C from me.
The invisibule wraps are so classy. This leads the eye to the agate ring and reel seat.
Like this little beauty,
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/13-080219085926.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5376)
Everyone that has seen it is drawn to the reel seat and not bright wraps. The bright wrap version reminds me on '70's American glass sticks and not these modern glass rods. Fine if you want a Pfluger but not so cool for a modern reel. Vintage can be cool but these new Epics deserve more.
I am changing my mind towards the nude though. More Katana than lightsabre, more scalpel than baseball bat. :z4
Loving your work Sandy :z14
Euan
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I voted for the organic look this time Sandy, subtle with style :z16
Cheers
Mike
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It's another "c" from me
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Minimalist for me. Less is more.
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Thanks for voting guys.
So we have a clear winner this time, build style 'C' it is, so we are doing ghost style wraps with a minimalist look, so no winding check, no colour in the wraps, just a small band at the ferrules to pull the final design together.
As we are going for build style C i'm going to use the new Amber coloured blank as theres a high probability that i will use this rod as my demo for the next couple of years and i quite fancy an Amber one this time, plus it will possibly look better in the full minimalist garb than a Nude. :z16
So the strong details are going to be in the Wooden insert and in the Agates, so these are now our more important issue to get sorted, hence pulling the poll a little early so i can get the wood picked out and that then takes us to the agate.
So here's our next step, i've photographed 6 inserts with the blank and metalwork to choose from, all the colours work really well for our planned build, so it becomes personal choice and this is where it will be interesting to see how the poll goes. Please choose and vote from A - F as annotated on the picture, i'll run this one till thursday so i get a chance to do the agates for the weekend.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-110219093057.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5379)
Cheers
Sandy
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B for me, although E would also work well.
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C would go with the minimalist look, although agree that B would look stylish and is a close second IMHO.
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D for me, compliments the blank. :z16
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C for me
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Its a B from me.
The dark figuring will go with the dark hardware and the light wood will go with the blank. It was almost C but I thought that was too close to the handle colour.
However, they are all really nice and would all look good.
Euan
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So we have chosen insert B which is the Spalted Aspen, its a stunning piece of wood that has a lot of bold contrasting figuring and a shimmer akin to Tigereye, Very nice.
Again it was quite close but a distinct preference for a couple and one that just edged it on the votes :z16
So the next choice is which Agate to put with it, now choosing B has opened up another question, as i have 6 agates which will go really well with the insert and the style of build, however 3 of them are Smoked Nickel Silver and 3 of them are Bright Nickel Silver. The picture is split left 3 and right 3 along with the metalwork so you should be able to see the differences.
I have put the Smoked Nickel hardware and the Bright Nickel hardware in the picture to help you choose, i was going to use the Smoked Nickel hardware for the build, but the choice of insert has meant we can use either and there were some particularly good matching agates in Bright Nickel as well as the smoked.
So this time we are not only choosing which agate we would like to use, we are also choosing the rings and metalwork colour, so i will run it for 5 days to let you have a good think about how you visualise the build and then we shall see which way we are going.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-140219104307.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5387)
I hope you are enjoying this, so far we are following the process for a customer build and funnily enough the results are proving to be roughly what i would have expected.
Cheers
Sandy
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Sandy,
Smoked nickel silver and E for me.
Eddie
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As above, smoked nickel and E.
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Definitely an A from me Sandy.
The smoked nickel is superb in real life, adds a sharper look under clear wraps and matches more reels in todays market.
The agate has a Tigers eye feel to it. All of them go with the insert but I think A really "pops" and becomes a feature rather than a matching accessory :z4
Euan
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Smoked nickel silver and E for me.
Ahh now we might a wee misunderstanding, the 3 strippers on the left A-C are smoked nickel and the 3 on the right D-F are bright nickel, hence the question about the metalwork, I don’t want to mix smoked nickel reel seats with bright nickel rings, it won’t look quite as good as having it all matching. So if you want smoked nickel hardware I’m afraid you need to pick from A-C but if you fancy E then we are going with bright nickel hardware. Have a think and see, you can change your mind anytime up to the end of the poll👍
Sorry for the confusion, I was just going to use smoked nickel, but with the insert that was chosen I rather liked agates D and E so added the bright nickel option to make them options.😁
Cheers
Sandy
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Obviously, doh! :X1
A and smoked or E and bright silver.
I like both.
Edit.
I’ve gone with A on the poll.
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Ok Sandy, now I will go smoked nickel with A,
Maybe this explains why I have been known to wear socks of different colours
Eddie
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Cheers guys.
Eddie, did you change your vote on the poll?
Sandy
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I have now :X2
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There’s a clear favourite now.
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Agree! Smoked reel fittings and agate A. Classy and understated.
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In fairness, they are all attractive compliments to the rod blank & as others have voted, I went for A too.
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Cheers Guys :z18
So we have a build spec.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-190219191748.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5403)
I've stacked the cork this evening so it will be ready to turn tomorrow, i shall run a snap poll to see if anyone wants a handle different to my standard and preffered, snub nosed style full wells. I prefer this grip as it gives better control for presentation casts
but as i turn the cork from shives i can make any shape for a customer.
So as a snap poll, do we want the standard grip, which allows me to NOT use a winding check.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-190219192016.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5404)
Or do you prefer a reversed style half wells grip which will require a winding check. :z10
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-190219192149.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5405)
It will be a quick poll as i intend to turn the grip tomorrow or thursday depending on whether i go fishing or not. :z12
Cheers
Sandy
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Standard Sandy.
I didn't know if I would like the standard when I got mine but the control is excellent. I also love the way you can "FEEL" the blank under your hand.
And yes, it does not need anything fancy up the front of the handle, just cork to glass. Classy!
Euan
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The majority of my rods have the full wells style handles apart from one, so it' has to be the standard for me. :z16
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Standard for me Sandy,
Eddie
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Cheers
Standard style grip it is :z16
So cork is stacked and blank marked up ready to go :z18
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-200219134205.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5409)
Sandy
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So i've had some time this morning
So she is all whipped up and the cork turned. I went for a 3 colour wrap at the ferrules to match the Agate banding and the insert figuring.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-200219134910.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5411)
The multi colour wrap has been a theme for 2019 builds, so nice to keep some continuity.
I also spread the 3 colours on the butt section for the measuring wraps. it all seems to work rather nicely.
I hope it is looking how you all imagined :wink i'll probably get the first coat of epoxy on there tomorrow to make it all Disappear :z12
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-200219134805.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5410)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-200219135656.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5412)
Cheers
Sandy
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Looking good Sandy :z16
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Aye Sandy, that insert really works with the black nickel hardware. The 3 colour wrap is a lovely "vintage" touch.👍
Euan
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You like the ‘swap shop’ wraps
Reminds me of a scarf I had when I was a kid.
😎
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First very thin coat of epoxy applied 👍
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-210219091249.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5413)
:z18
Sandy
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Second coat hardening off for a few days.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-240219092307.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5418)
Ferrule wraps looking nice too
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-240219092357.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5419)
:z18
Sandy
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Looking grand :z16
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Oh, Wow! :z16
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Finally got out with my Epic today (there’s a photo of it on page 3, it’s the olive one with ghost wraps).
Gave it a good workout with a few rainbows including one fatty which had the rod bent right over.
Ace rod to cast with, didn’t take long at all find my rhythm. Was thinking 8’ was going to feel a bit short but not at all.
I definitely want a 686 now.
Can’t wait for proper trout season. :z18
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Thats great stuff Dave, i'm really pleased you are enjoying it. :z16
So our forum Spec build is now finished, many thanks to all who have had an input into the final spec, i think it has turned out really nice and i'm hoping to keep it for myself as the 2019 Demo, however i'm open to discussion as always :wink
So here she is, my new demo and the product of design by committee, its all panned out rather well :z18.
I hope you all like it and that it has emerged as you imagined.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020319095913.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5429)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020319095949.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5430)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020319100015.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5431)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020319100044.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5432)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020319100113.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5433)
many thanks again :z18 and if anyone wants to try her out to see what the fuss about glass is, then just give me a shout. :z16
I now have demo's for the new style 580 and 476 with a 370 in production too.
Sandy
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Looks great Sandy :z16
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Sandy,
I must say, that rod looks very cool indeed. You will have a hard time holding on to that one, I am sure that someone will want to discuss taking it off of your hands. You will need to build a less asthetically pleasing version to keep as your demo.
Eddie
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You will need to build a less asthetically pleasing version to keep as your demo.
Cheers Eddie
I reckon having the demo showcase what can be done , works well.......mind you it has cost me the last 2 476 Demos that I built up 😳 so you might not be wrong 😜.
However I get fish it too and I like nice stuff
Sandy
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I have just told my missus to restrict my access to my bank account :z4
Just stunning Sandy :z14
Euan
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So the demo has gone off on its first sojourn if the year.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-190319192134.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5446)
So my new customer :wink christened it nicely.
Sandy
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Through Swift and Epic rods I came across Fin Ripple Media and for those of you who haven't, Google it. Steve Ooi is a master photographer who fishes for Kiwi trout with Epic fibreglass rods. His work is truly awesome.
Today he posted this shot:
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/13-230319213441.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5456)
Which resulted in this:
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/13-230319213536.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5457)
How many of you would even consider a #3 for salt work? :z4 :z4 :z4
Epic are properly named :z16
Euan
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Now this is what a proper tarts outfit looks like :X2
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-050419154032.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5499)
:z12
Sandy
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And thats it christened properly too :z12
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-110419182850.jpeg)
Sandy :z12
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Tried hard today Sandy to christen the 370 but to no avail.
What I will say is that it is everything I hoped for. Circle C casts with a PTN were lovely and it chucks an Elk Hair Caddis in to a wind beautifully.
A rod well made and a choice well made :z16
Euan
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Sandy,
I have two olive epics but I really like the nude one so it’s nude for my vote.
Eddie
I am with Eds on this one. Mind you not in that way :z4