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Post 15 Jan 2018, 14:11 • #1 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/30/09
Posts: 2527
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Hello everyone, I'm pleased to announce my new Synthesis Series of rods! http://cbarclayflyrods.com/fiberglass-fly-rods/
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My Synthesis Series of rods is complex yet uncomplicated. These blanks are made domestically here in the US for me, to my exact specifications. A technologically advanced fusion of parabolic and progressive fly rod tapers, blending my two previous series of rods without watering down the effectiveness and feel. Making use of advanced compound tapers, seamless and functional tip over butt ferrules and traditional e-glass. Not necessarily progressive or parabolic, the best of all synthesized into a new classic.
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Smooth and unhurried with quick recovery. Responsive tip, mid and butt sections. You feel the cast and the fish.

68: An 6'8" 3wt 3 piece I like to call the Blue Ridge Special. Small secluded mountain streams and brook trout.
72: A 7’2" 4wt 3 piece I like to call the Driftless Special. Delicate delivery and casting control.
79: A 7'9" 4/5wt 3 piece I like to call the General Practitioner. A general purpose trout rod. I will make this one with an extra tip on occasion and will also make a 5 piece travel version.
82: An 8'2" 4/5wt 4 piece rod I like to call the Tailwater Special. Long casts, tiny flies and ultimate control.
7-6: A 7’ 6wt 3 piece (black glass). This is my infamous Lil Stiffy, previously a limited edition rod I designed for small water, big fly big fish rod. The unique rod taper provides an incredible ability to shoot and control line that leaves plenty of room for big and little fish feel and control.
More pictures and videos coming very soon.
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Models coming soon:
777: A 7’7” 7wt 3 piece rod I call the Jackpot. A bass rod I designed to pull big fish out of heavy cover. Suitable for fishing mangroves, salt ready.
8-6: An 8' 6wt 3 piece. Hex hatch in Michigan or Smallmouth in Missouri. Big brother to the Lil Stiffy.
868: The 8’6” 8/9wt 4 piece. A saltwater flats worthy rod. Lighter than you think possible with superior accuracy and distance control.


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Post 15 Jan 2018, 14:52 • #2 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/19/14
Posts: 3925
Location: USA - Illinois
Holy Cow Chris! Will you have some in Montana?


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Post 15 Jan 2018, 14:55 • #3 
Guide
Joined: 09/04/13
Posts: 142
Location: US-MT
My bank account is doomed.


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Post 15 Jan 2018, 15:11 • #4 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/19/14
Posts: 3925
Location: USA - Illinois
Yep. I need to start selling a bunch more stuff.


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Post 15 Jan 2018, 15:22 • #5 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/30/09
Posts: 2527
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Hey John! Yup, I'll have the full lineup in MT, and everywhere else I'll go!


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Post 15 Jan 2018, 16:04 • #6 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/26/14
Posts: 3578
Location: US-MN
That is an exciting lineup!


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Post 15 Jan 2018, 16:09 • #7 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/19/14
Posts: 3925
Location: USA - Illinois
CBarclay wrote:
Hey John! Yup, I'll have the full lineup in MT, and everywhere else I'll go!


Great - have you put a WF7 on the "Big Lil Stiffy"? Trying to find a 7 wt to use on the beaches for snookies and other salty fishes, at least 8 feet.


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Post 15 Jan 2018, 16:10 • #8 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 11/24/14
Posts: 1896
Location: US-NC
Back in early December I drove over to Chris's place to cast his new lineup. What a fun day it was! As you would expect given his prior offerings, they were all wonderful. I cast them starting with the 3 wt and worked up by wt and length. My favorite of the bunch was definitely the 6'8" 3 wt....until I cast the 7'2" 4 wt....until I cast the 7'9" 4/5 wt.... Well, you get the idea.

It's been close to 6 weeks since I handled the rods and Chris can describe the ins and outs better than I can (and I don't know if the prototypes I cast were the actual final design in each instance), but FWIW here's some of what I recall....

All of the rods were smooth and had exceptional tip recovery.

Blue Ridge Special, 6'8" 3 wt: He definitely got the name right with this one. This rod will be terrific for tight, smaller waters. I cast up to about 35', but I spent most of the time making much shorter casts, often with just a foot or two of line out, trying to mimic actual small water fishing conditions. It felt like an extension of my hand, delicately placing the end of the leader right where I wanted it. If you're looking for a shorter lighter weight rod, this is definitely one to consider.

Driftless Special, 7'2" 4 wt: My recollection is that this rod was somewhat more full flexing than the others. I think this rod would be really great for dries in particular. And though I didn't cast them side by side, I don't think it's just a slightly stronger version of his original 723.

General Practitioner, 7'9" 4/5 wt: This rod felt absolutely great in the hand and struck me as do-it-all 4 wt (I didn't cast with a 5 wt line), probably capable of handling dries, dry-droppers, lighter nymph rigs and even small streamers. Very smooth and was able to generate quite a bit of line speed.

Tailwater Special, 8'2" 4/5 wt: I cast this one with a 5 wt line. Similar to the 7'9", just a bit longer and stronger.

Lil' Stiffy, 7' 6 wt: I didn't cast the rod that day as I already have one. A great choice for smaller/tighter waters where you're throwing heavier flies or expecting to catch larger fish. I've only fished mine a couple of times so far, but it's performed great. I recall one outing at Aurelio's last Labor Day Weekend where the typical fish was about 15-18", and it was necessary to put the brakes on pretty quickly to keep them from running and breaking the tippet off on various underwater obstructions. The rod did exactly what I wanted/needed it to. Enough pressure to keep them from running far, but flexed enough to avoid popping the fly. I'm really intrigued by the description of the new 8' 6 wt Chris mentioned.


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Post 15 Jan 2018, 16:14 • #9 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 11/25/09
Posts: 2319
Been tailgating for this post. Glad it’s finaly here. Gorgeous looking rods, I cast the 5wt in Wisconsin and loved it. Very lively rod.


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Post 15 Jan 2018, 16:30 • #10 
Guide
Joined: 08/29/15
Posts: 292
Location: The Cottonwoods, NM
They all sound great Chris!

I fished the prototype 5wt in Wisconsin for a day.

Caught a really nice brown with a bugger and many 10-12 inchers...all a blast.

I can fully attest that this rod will be/is remarkable!


Last edited by Bushog on 15 Jan 2018, 19:01, edited 1 time in total.

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Post 15 Jan 2018, 17:21 • #11 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/18/09
Posts: 5561
Location: Relocated to the Drought Stricken West.
Chris, Do you have your tour dates set?

Will you be up in Shenandoah or PA anytime in the near future?
The 79 and 82 sound deadly. I really hope to try a 79 5pc.


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Post 15 Jan 2018, 17:54 • #12 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/20/11
Posts: 1880
Location: US-MD
777 Jackpot indeed!


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Post 16 Jan 2018, 00:12 • #13 
Master Guide
Joined: 01/05/14
Posts: 689
Location: North Alabama
yes! they are all nice rods! each one i cast has been pure joy!! now i await my 7.2 :)


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Post 16 Jan 2018, 08:47 • #14 
Guide
Joined: 08/29/15
Posts: 292
Location: The Cottonwoods, NM
How does the 72 compare to a 70P?


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Post 16 Jan 2018, 09:53 • #15 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/10/07
Posts: 1632
Location: The Netherlands
Need to try them at the Montana Clave!


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Post 16 Jan 2018, 20:01 • #16 
Master Guide
Joined: 06/28/16
Posts: 930
Location: Northern WI
Very nice. The Blue Ridge Special sounds like it could find a good home in northern Wisconsin.


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Post 16 Jan 2018, 22:13 • #17 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 01/26/07
Posts: 1385
Location: Ada, Oklahoma
Or southern Oklahoma.

Larry


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Post 17 Jan 2018, 06:51 • #18 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 11/30/10
Posts: 1847
Location: Michigan
NICE!


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Post 17 Jan 2018, 09:00 • #19 
Master Guide
Joined: 04/05/13
Posts: 618
Location: US-TX
Very Cool!


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Post 17 Jan 2018, 09:41 • #20 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/30/09
Posts: 2527
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Thanks so much guys! I really appreciate it.
Carlz, I don’t have anything planned at the moment but I’m close enough to be able to make something happen relatively easily.
Let’s plan something!


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Post 17 Jan 2018, 15:55 • #21 
Master Guide
Joined: 02/08/09
Posts: 850
Location: US-VA
Solid lineup, look forward to checking them out... best wishes with the new series. Classic looks and well crafted.


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Post 18 Jan 2018, 00:43 • #22 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/22/09
Posts: 1494
Location: Sweden
Impressive, Chris! I look forward to check them out in London in March perhaps. I’m very curious.


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Post 18 Jan 2018, 09:39 • #23 
New Member
Joined: 02/05/16
Posts: 4
Location: US-MD
carlz wrote:
Chris, Do you have your tour dates set?

Will you be up in Shenandoah or PA anytime in the near future?
The 79 and 82 sound deadly. I really hope to try a 79 5pc.


Chris,

If you do come up this way, please let me know. I'm interested in the heavier line weight rods, especially the 868.

Regards,

Dave


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Post 18 Jan 2018, 11:22 • #24 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 04/02/13
Posts: 1173
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Oh wow! I'm pretty sure my sole 2018 rod purchase will be one of these puppies!


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Post 18 Jan 2018, 12:49 • #25 
Guide
Joined: 01/20/16
Posts: 297
Location: Pershing, Missouri
From the "2018 dream rod" thread.....

"....but then there is always the lingering question - "I wonder what Chris Barclay will come up with this year?"

So now what am I going to do...so many choices?!?!


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