I recently finished up a ********* 8'9" four-piece blank. The blank is a pretty translucent reddish brown with tip over butt ferrules. Wrapped in yellow jasper with red accents. I have been casting it a bit this afternoon with #5 and #6 DT lines. Cortland Peach, SA AirCel, Cortland Sylk. It is labelled a 5 weight but I liked it best with the SA AirCel #6DT. I like the way the 6 loaded versus the 5 -- but that's just me. I did not try a #7 but I think this rod has the chops to handle it. Overall, it's on the quick side (at least to me) with good punch and quick tip recovery too.
I can't wait to fish it!

Great work! Like the variegated thread

Very nice indeed. The brown is more reddish than I thought. I’ve been thinking about the 8’6” 5wt. Roy

Nice Pat !



Just need to put a good bend in it now

thanks all, for your comments. after a casting session yesterday, i realized the grip is too big for my hand, so i will mask off the seat and blank, and take it down to size.

btw, i want to give a shout out to ron weber of swcr, for the reel seat hardware and cocobolo insert which beautifully complement the finished rod.

ps: to jay, and others who own this rod/blank-- which line do you fish on it?

Pat, I wanted to ask you about that grip. What style did you decide to make it, is it a long cigar, a Garrison, or a full-wells without the swell in the center?

You might want to fish the rod some before taking the diameter down. Lawn casting is one thing, but when you are waist-deep in the Housey and you have to haul that rod out there into the wind, that grip might be something you can grab onto. Just a thought, you can always take more off, but it is hard to put back cork if the grip is too small. Besides, I really like the looks of that grip.

OK, so here is the skinny on the grip. it is a 7" Proof preformed Ritz grip. and nice quality cork i might add. i'll get a better picture of it and post tonight.

john, those are wise words. i think i will take your advice to fish first, then decide on the grip. thanks for weighing in bro!

very nice.

Every body is so positive about the blak....... I have to order some.

Nico

Hello
Yes Great Choice,The Colors Of The Reel Seat Insert Compliment The Blank Very Nicely !
Tight Lines And Custom Made Loops
Andy M

Yep ... love the thread !

Pecos

That's gorgeous. I love some nice cocobolo.

two days on the water with this rod and it is proving its versatility. i fished day one with a DT6, and day two with a DT5 -- both true to grain weight lines, in similar casting and fishing conditions.

day one with a DT6 the rod handles streamers size 8 thru 2, nymph and dropper rigs --weighted and unweighted flies-- and as the day warms, a few emerger and dry flies. casting distances up to around 50' but mostly inside of that. rod loads smoothly, into the butt section. sweet.

day two, DT5, same casting distances, fishing same variety of streamers, nymphs, emergers, and in the afternoon, dry flies. noticeably more crisp and "tippier" with the lighter line, i guess because it engages less of the rod than does the heavier line. a tad "up tempo" but hardly fast, and buttery smooth. very pleasant to cast and its length aids in line management/mending. all in all a nice package with versatility to rip streamers, dredge nymphs, and punch dries...

for me it fishes well with a 5wt dt, and easily, and comfortably fishes a 6dt too.

GR, thanks for your comments. I am looking forward to getting this rod out on the water again. Agree it is a versatile 5 weight.

For the record, I fished my 895-4 with a SA Air Cel DT5. Jay and Bill, who have and fish the same rod, prefer Cortland Sylk DT5 and the 406 DT5, respectively.