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Morgan 805
Post 12 Sep 2011, 07:05 • #1 
Guide
Joined: 03/15/07
Posts: 317
Location: US-PA
Finally had a chance to finish out a new Morgan blank ... asthetically speaking, the blanks are quite lovely and really shine in the sunlight ... nice reddish brown and has much more visual depth than Winston's i've handled (esp. my SF/Montana 805)

this was built for a forum member and friend ... a promise made years ago that if (when) Tom got blanks rolling out the door I'd gladly finish one out for him ...

seat is stabilized Redwood burl (i went through 4 or 5 woods until i finally found one i liked) and the rod in general has a bit more flair than I usually do but still pretty subtle ...

pics:

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-matt


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Morgan 805
Post 12 Sep 2011, 07:36 • #2 
Guide
Joined: 06/25/05
Posts: 239
Location: Albany, NY
Beautiful work Matt, and that hardware came out really special. What did you think of how it cast? -Steve


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Morgan 805
Post 12 Sep 2011, 07:51 • #3 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 08/25/08
Posts: 1526
Location: Delton, MI
Matt, how much is the rod weighing in at? Did you happen to weigh the blank?


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Morgan 805
Post 12 Sep 2011, 07:52 • #4 
Master Guide
Joined: 05/16/10
Posts: 815
Location: South of Houston, TX
Wow. Really fanatastic. Thanks for those last couple shots as well. The first shots showing the translucency of the blank that I've seen. You really did an excellent job with that build.


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Morgan 805
Post 12 Sep 2011, 08:17 • #5 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/22/09
Posts: 1494
Location: Sweden
Very nice, well done! Thanks for sharing. I have one of those blanks lying around. I have to finish my other builds so I can get started. Not that I will get ever near the beauty of this ... You sure have some skills, Matt!


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Morgan 805
Post 12 Sep 2011, 08:31 • #6 
Master Guide
Joined: 11/05/07
Posts: 590
Location: ID/MT
That surely is a pretty rod. Thanks for sharing the pictures.


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Morgan 805
Post 12 Sep 2011, 10:07 • #7 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/05/07
Posts: 2154
Location: West Virginia
Gorgeous build, Matt. The translucency and visible weave really sets the blank apart and the decal, which you set off so nicely, really adds a touch of class so typical of Mr. Morgan. I know your friend (and mine) will be simply knocked out.


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Morgan 805
Post 12 Sep 2011, 10:12 • #8 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 11/30/10
Posts: 1849
Location: Michigan
Love it!


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Morgan 805
Post 12 Sep 2011, 10:26 • #9 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/03/07
Posts: 1152
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Matt, You always impress me with your work, just outstanding. That's a classic glass piece for sure!


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Morgan 805
Post 12 Sep 2011, 10:47 • #10 
Master Guide
Joined: 04/05/07
Posts: 373
Location: Belmont Bay, Virginia
Niiiize! I'm sure Tom Morgan would smile if he saw this beautiful build.


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Morgan 805
Post 12 Sep 2011, 10:57 • #11 
Administrator
Joined: 07/17/06
Posts: 5599
Location: South Carolina
Matt ... fine work as usual. What a beautiful weave those blanks have.


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Morgan 805
Post 12 Sep 2011, 11:25 • #12 
Sport
Joined: 06/06/09
Posts: 59
I saw the rod in person. Beautiful rod and a dream to cast. Enjoy it!


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Morgan 805
Post 12 Sep 2011, 12:51 • #13 
Guide
Joined: 12/30/08
Posts: 264
Location: US-WV
My heart goes pitter patter over such a lovely rod ...


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Morgan 805
Post 13 Sep 2011, 00:53 • #14 
Master Guide
Joined: 04/25/07
Posts: 547
Location: US-PA
First I want to thank Matt for his wonderful build as being a new Dad now with two beautiful children and busy middle school teacher his time is precious.His artistic skills are very evident but for one so young his sense of rod tradition and history of classic rods is amazing.Hence this rod incorporates the Winston style. I plan to let those at the fall rod gathering in Little J cast the rod and especially will value Mr. Mcfarland's input as he is the best caster I have seen ever. But in the very brief time with Guttapercha yesterday it is very special. Smooth and strong with zero effort required. Loads with tippet but has the ability to adapt to one's effort for me this means it will handle the short little finesse dry fly but punch it and lne goes and goes. No doubt one could throw woolies and streamers but switch to tricos if needed. I am no expert and would not attempt a comparison in 20 minutes of lan casting to try comparisons to the other great glass rods out there. See what others think on Oct 7-9 gathering but for me to own a rod designed by a legend and built by an artist who respect the tradition it is priceless.


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Morgan 805
Post 14 Sep 2011, 11:20 • #15 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/19/08
Posts: 1778
Location: Western Colorado
JASTrout, congrats on your Morgan rod. Look forward to hearing your thoughts on the rod. Best regards!


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Morgan 805
Post 14 Sep 2011, 20:40 • #16 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/31/06
Posts: 1262
Location: Mid- coast Maine
Very nice build. I love the understated wraps. Elegant is the word that comes to mind. Did Tom provide the guide spacing?
RFMcD


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Morgan 805
Post 15 Sep 2011, 06:35 • #17 
Guide
Joined: 03/15/07
Posts: 317
Location: US-PA
Sorry, I've been wrapped up and haven't had time to respond so ... here we go..

Steve: Casts beautifully ... alittle different than my Winston 8' 5wt. but you can tell they're similar ... brotha from anotha motha ... the Morgan is a very powerful but capable blank ... it's a true 5wt. but not fast ... lots of reserve strength but ample delicacy ... I didn't spend a ton of time casting as I finished it in the midst of Tropical Storm Lee and didn't want to mess anything up for Jeff ... few quick casts, short, long ... done.

Crusty: Sorry, I didn't weigh the rod or blank but i'm sure Tom can provide blank info ... I will say it balanced perfectly w/ a LRH and DT5 ... didn't need a heavy reel to feel right.

RFcD: Tom provides an awesome little booklet w/ the rod which has guide spacing for all the blanks and directions about finishing ...


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Morgan 805
Post 16 Sep 2011, 01:24 • #18 
Piscator
Joined: 08/10/05
Posts: 19104
Location: downtown Bulverde, Texas
thanks for showing the photos. His blanks look just like early 50s. Nice work.


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Morgan 805
Post 16 Sep 2011, 07:58 • #19 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/10/09
Posts: 1655
Location: US-OH
Matt -- Did the blank come with the Morgan transfer sticker (or decal) already on the rod and epoxied over, or was that applied and epoxied by you?


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Morgan 805
Post 29 Sep 2011, 00:52 • #20 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 04/16/07
Posts: 1482
Location: US-MA
Great work! Matt ...
really nice finish!


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Re: Morgan 805
Post 01 Apr 2012, 12:33 • #21 
New Member
Joined: 02/23/12
Posts: 23
Location: State College, PA
The McFarland outing inspired my to finish my Morgan blank.


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Re: Morgan 805
Post 01 Apr 2012, 15:01 • #22 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/05/07
Posts: 2154
Location: West Virginia
I had an opportunity to cast Jeff's Tom Morgan 805 at Mike McFarland's gathering and it is indeed worthy of all the anticipation. It is a wonderful rod and Matt's build quality makes it even more special.


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