[Mike Barrio]

Hi folks

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!  

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.








And here are a couple of cracking custom Epic 580 fly rods that Sandy built for customers in 2013












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

The rather cool ( or should that be hot? ) Salsa Epic 580 ..... Which is no longer available

[Mike Barrio]

And if anybody would like the original prototype demo Epic 580 ..... this is available for £250

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

[Mike Barrio]

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

One for the spring

Cheers
Mike

[Mike Barrio]

What is this modern Epic fibreglass all about? ....... Learn all about it here:

http://swiftflyfishing.com/pages/about-the-epics

http://swiftflyfishing.com/pages/epic-specs

[Rich Knoles]

I don't have any video, but here's how a 100+ foot cast looks.

[Euan Innes]

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 ?

I'd still like to try one but maybe not in that particular shade of hi-viz.

 

[Mike Barrio]

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    

Rods, reels, wading jackets and I guess all fishing tackle ..... are like cars, sofas and shoes ( handbags even ) ..... we all like different things

Don't worry, there will only be one Salsa Epic available and each rod will be a different colour

Cheers
Mike

[Rob Brownfield]

Don't worry, there will only be one Salsa Epic available and each rod will be a different colour

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.

[Mike Barrio]

These blanks are in the original Epic colours Rob, you can see the colours available by following the links further up the thread

Cheers
Mike

Here are some of the colours available, plus there is an orange, olive and brown. Hey, it rains in NZ too

[Mike Barrio]

I don't have any video, but here's how a 100+ foot cast looks.

That was fun Rich .... and certainly not what they were designed to do

Cheers
Mike

[troutist]

I don't have any video, but here's how a 100+ foot cast looks.

Wow!

[troutist]

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

One for the spring

Cheers
Mike

we all look forward to it!

[Rich Knoles]

That was fun Rich .... and certainly not what they were designed to do

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.

[Mike Barrio]

we all look forward to it!

By the way ..... Check out Alexandr's website folks http://troutist.ru/

[Sandy Nelson]

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

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 ..... Which is no longer available







The next rod in production is an Olive green one, whipped with Transparent Ash Grey Silk and a Burled Elder And Nickel reel seat 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

Thanks for looking.

Sandy