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 throw lovely loops at short/medium distances with various 4wt lines-perfect for your standard dry fly presentations.

If you like little more feedback in your cast, slightly heavy 4wt lines (various Airflo, Rio Gold or SA GPX) work great. This would be a nice all-around choice when you need to swap a dry fly with a weighted nymph or a bugger. When you want to go for more distance, the glass butt section goes into play and with more line out, the rod starts to feel semi-parabolic, with that extra kick coming from the fiberglass butt.

Using 5wt lines on the rod will get the butt section engaged sooner, with less line out, but without the tip collapsing. Anglers who like deeper loading and more feedback from the rod might actually prefer it with a 5wt line.

The rod will be tested on a fishing trip to Driftless Area in a few weeks, so more details will follow on how it behaves in real fishing situations..

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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 silver) slip rings, the rod weight could easily be reduced to under 3oz.

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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 match the color of fiberglass. The tips are progressive and loosely based on Powell A formula and transition nicely into the butt section, made of phenolic tobacco fiberglass. Quick recovery of the tips is amplified by the flexibility of the butt, with a very positive dampening. It is a lively, yet punchy rod and the glass ferrule contributes to its feel.

The rod features rust and medium brown silk wraps, oxidized hardware, maple/double slide bands seat, single foot tip-tops and a Powell-style grip. Pictures taken indoors don't represent the true colors as well as the ones taken outside. 

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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 guides, brown wraps with pale yellow single-turn inlays at the cork check and the stripping guide. I usually don't place hook-keepers on my rods, but it was done as a special request by the customer.

 

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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.

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