Graphite 7'10" 6wt (Streamers and Sight-Casting)

The latest build: a shorter 6wt (7'10", 4pc) fly rod, built on a Diamondback graphite blank. I like a 6wt for my local flats fishing. This is a quick rod which loads easy for short and precise casts. 

Read More

Refurbishing the "Pink Panther" 868-4 from 2011

This rod has been one of my favorite rods, built back in August 2011. I caught some very nice striped bass on it. It needed its single foot guides replaced. The Fuji strippers were OK and also the tip top, so I left those unchanged, but rewrapped them. I put Pac Bay Minima single foots, so hopefully they can last another ten years or so...

Read More

Retrograph "Sightcast" 906-4

Fresh off the bench...the black rod! The blank was made by CD rods. Stealthy looking streamer rod, medium fast action, syncork grip, Fuji seat, Pac Bay TiCH guides. Built for rugged use in saltwater. It will make a nice sight-casting fly rod for schoolie stripers near my house.

Read More

Syncork Grip Completed

I am not in love with this material. It is hard to work with and it doesn't look that great. However it is very durable.

Read More

Syncork Grip

Laying out a grip to be turned out of Syncork rings. This is an interesting material I obtained and used way back, while living in St. Paul, MN. I still have few rings left and will be using them for the upcoming Retrograph "Sightcast" 9' 6wt.

Read More

Retrograph Fly Rods

L to R: 904, 904, 865, all 4 piece models

Read More

Comparison: Two Versions of Retrograph 904-4

So how these two builds compare? They are built on two identical blanks, with slightly different components. There will always be some variation in blank weight, regardless of the manufacturer. However, the difference in components will make larger impact on the weight of the completed rod.

Retrograph 1: 904-4 glossy blank, uplock cork/micarta reel seat with mini butt and aluminum fittings, 6.25" cork grip, TiCH wire stripper, Snake Brand Original snakes and tip top.

Retrograph 2: 904-4 hand rubbed satin finish blank, downlock micarta reel seat with nickel silver cap and ring, 6" cork grip, agate/nickel silver frame stripper, Pac Bay light-wire snakes and tip top.

I used identical finish on both blanks, and guide wraps were kept as short as possible. Here are the results. No doubt, the extra weight of nickel silver contributed to the slightly heavier weight of certain rod sections.

rod model	butt section	3rd section	2nd section	tip section	total rod weight
Retrograph 1	724 grains	267 grains	140 grains	63 grains	1194 grains (2.72 oz or 77.36 grams)
Retrograph 2	788 grains	276 grains	135 grains	62 grains	1261 grains (2.88 oz or 81.37 grams)

Read More

Retrograph 904-4 #041518

I like fishing 9' 4wt rods, and in that length, graphite is the only choice. Here's another Retrograph, just completed. Made on USA made blank, with moderate-fast action. The blank has a satin natural graphite finish. The rod features burnt orange micarta/oxidized nickel silver seat, oxidized guides and red agate stripper, flor grade Powell-inspired grip. Silk wraps are very dark, translucent burnt orange.

 

Read More

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 for selective trout over fairly reliable morning Trico appearance, followed by terrestrial activity in the afternoon. I mostly used my 8'3" #4/5 glass for this fishing, but also fished my Retrograph graphite models (here and here.) I posted more pictures from the trip in my other blog.

Read More

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.

 

Read More

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

Read More

Retrograph 904-4

I decided to revisit the graphite medium and complete another "Retrograph" (the ubiquitous 9' 4wt, USA made blank). To see my earlier "Retrograph" builds in action and some enchanting limestone creek scenery, please see this post.

Read More