Silver Creek and Unstructured Fiberglass

I just got back from fishing the Silver Creek for a few days. Low water have pushed larger fish into deeper sections of the creek, and the hatches were spotty. However, if you were willing to move around to avoid the gusty wind (which blew almost non-stop), you could enjoy fishing...

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Retrograph 865-4

Yes, a retro-graphite rod for a change, so another Retrograph joins the stable.!-) A fairly powerful 5wt, perfect for hopper fishing out West.  ...

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After the Fishing Trip: Milenkovic Paradox 734 Fly Rod

I am back from very intense rod testing fishing trip. My favorite Driftless creeks were high and muddy due to lots of rainfall in the short period of time. That means fishing big flies under, so that fish could see them. I used mostly big, weighted leech patterns in sizes 4-8 and the little...

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Off to Driftless...

For some testing of Paradox 734. Will pack a couple of more 4wt rods for comparison and change of pace. L to R: Paradox 734, Retrograph 904-4 and DF 250-4.5-4 ...

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Milenkovic Paradox-R 604 Fly Rod

The "R" is for "Reverse"- fly rod with split cane butt, fiberglass tip and mid-sections, and fiberglass ferrules. It is inspired by short rods which were popularized by Lee Wulff. This experimental rod has a pretty quick action due to softer tip/middle and firmer butt section. The fiberglass...

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Paradox 734 Fly Rod - Casting Characteristics

I know that bottom pictures can't tell you much, but here are some opinions on how this rod behaves. I tested the rod with various 4 and 5wt lines and it can be described as a strong 4 or a 4/5wt rod. The tip specs are progressive and dampen quickly. While the rod casts a long line, it will...

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Ferrule Plug

Ferrule plug design for Paradox 734....

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Paradox 734 Fly Rod - Weight

I took pictures of each rod section while resting on a scale. The recorded numbers are in grams. The completed rod weighs 90.09 grams (tip #1) and 89.84 grams with the second tip section. Both numbers equal to around 3.17 oz. With the use of cork reel seat and aluminum (rather than nickel...

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Milenkovic 734 Paradox Fly Rod

Paradox Fly Rod is inspired by Pezon et Michel's Vario-Power concept of using fiberglass butt and split cane tip sections. However, its sections are both of equal length and it features fiberglass ferrule rather than the traditional nickel silver one. Darkly flamed tips closely...

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Paradox Taper in the Works

I have just finished and ferruled the blanks for my new project, a Paradox Taper bamboo-fiberglass hybrid fly rod. More pics soon, once the rod is completed! ...

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"Old Empire" Semi-Para Taper

I have just completed this rod on the very last "Old Empire" semi-parabolic blank. This limited series of blanks (10 rods in total) were designed to emulate Paul Young's Perfectionist taper in fiberglass. The rod features lychee burl reel seat spacer with blued hardware, hook-keeper and...

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