Happy Holidays and tight lines from Rod Catalog!
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Friday, December 22, 2017
Monday, September 4, 2017
"Antiquary Edition" Unstructured Fiberglass 835-4 (#4/5)
This is my latest build which rounds up the original Unstructured Fiberglass batch of blanks, made to my specifications. Out of the three tapers I offered in the past, this is my favorite taper to fish - a true allaround trout rod, which feels light and crisp with a 4wt line. If...
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
"The French Edition" Unstructured Glass 804-4
I have just completed a rod for a customer in France. It is my standard build with a Powell-style flor grip, blued Snake Brand snakes, and Midrum Belmar-type carbide stripping guide. The reel seat is a dual sliding band with walnut burl spacer, oxidized to match the guides. The guide wraps are...
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Driftless Fishing and Paradox 734
Little para taper boo-glass hybrid proved itself again in Driftless. It was raining quite a bit and streams were discolored. I had to search for fishable water, but was rewarded with beautiful wild browns. Paradox 734 handled them with aplomb and I ended up fishing it exclusively. I...
Sunday, June 4, 2017
Big Guns-Conquistador Glass Fly Rods
The saltwater season in New England is under full swing and it is time to dust off the big guns. Conquistador Glass tapers (L to R): 9' 10wt, 9' 9wt, 8'6" 8/9wt. I am contemplating building another batch of Conquistadors, so stay tuned. Photos of striped bass (top) and myself courtesy of...
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Reel Seat Weight (Metal vs Wood)
So what is heavier? Vintage all brass seat vs contemporary cap and ring nickel silver seat with wooden spacer (I used a Ray Lee stock seat as an example.)
The weight is in grams-very close indeed!
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Friday, May 26, 2017
Patinated Brass Reel Seat
I found an old metal cap and ring reel seat which I liked. After sanding off a thin chrome plating, I applied a brown patina for brass until I got the look I wanted. It will be used on one of my future builds...
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Sunday, May 21, 2017
Unstructured Fiberglass 804-4 "Orange & Green"
on 2:15 PM
in 2015 models, Micarta, Reel Seats, Rod Bags, Rods for Sale, Trout, Unstructured Glass
with
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I have just completed a build on one of the blanks from the 2015 batch, which I put away for personal use (I realized I had an extra blank.) The rod has a fishtail grip with a slender nose, home-made, oil finished orange micarta reel seat insert, blued Garrison-style...
Saturday, May 6, 2017
Close Match
Completed orange home-made micarta reel seat, ready for the green Unstructured glass build....
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Paradox 824 Flexing Curve
Paradox 824 (curve leaning toward progressive)
Paradox 734 (curve leaning toward parabolic)
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Monday, April 3, 2017
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Work in Progress...Paradox Revisited!
I am finally having little time for rod building. I am working on a longer Paradox 8'2" 3/4wt. The blank has very unique casting properties due to its solid bamboo tip, fiberglass ferrule and woven tobacco-glass butt section. Next post will feature completed rod, so stay tuned...
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Saturday, February 11, 2017
In Customers' Words...
I relish visiting the beautiful places where trout live. Vlad’s creativity and sense for beautiful aesthetics glow as I handle his 804-4 glass creation. Every element blends in wonderfully with the finery of nature herself – unique, colorful, and special. Just perfect visually as you feel the delightful...
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Back in the Day
I just stumbled upon this image among my files... One of my rods was featured in FUJI USA catalog (the page with K-style guides), few years ago.
I still use that rod, and I continue to be a big fan of FUJI products.
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