Gentlemen ... this thread is a perfect example how each person will evaluate and perceive a certain rod blank. I've heard on this board and other places as many people that don't care for as I have those that think that it is a great fly rod blank. Sometimes you just have to put it in your hand to know what you think.

Barry ... HA ... tru dat! HA ...

7' Phillipson and I'll arm-wrestle you over it.

I appreciate everyone's opinions on this board. I was really surprised by number of replies to this thread. I believe now after reading through all the comments that the action of the TFO is not what I am looking for. I have a FF705 that I enjoy fishing for panfish, smallies and on small trout streams. I was hoping the TFO would be similiar, but I guess not. I have plenty of fast rods in graphite and they serve their purpose also. I will still cast the TFO but a custom lami honey 7.5 4wt will probably be a better choice for me. Thanks again.

Jon, They have the rod in at LRO if you want to cast it. I may be up there next week.

I just wish the TFO was a 7'9" rod rather than a 6'8" rod; it would be a lot more versatile-p-

Gene
I've got a couple of projects that I've got to get finished first, but when they're complete, I'm going to do a little tinkering with one of the TFO blanks. I figure that I can stretch one out to 7'-6" without a lot of trouble. I'm interested to see how that blank will preform at that length. If it ends up a keeper, I'll get it over to Rick to see what he thinks.

Thought I would add another reply to this thread now that I have cast the rod. I took my FF705 and a WF5wt. line with me today to the flyshop and spent about 20 min. casting the TFO on the lawn. I will have to say that I liked the action of the rod afterall. It is faster than the 705 but still very smooth. I forgot to take a 6wt line with me but they had one spooled on a reel so I tried it also. It felt better with the 6wt casting into a slight breeze. I wish it was a little longer, maybe 7 to 7.5 ft and a 3 piece instead of 2. It kind of felt similiar to a D-glass 8ft 4wt when comparing against the 8ft 5wt. 3 piece. Slightly faster but still smooth.
I did not like the handle or the cheap looking reelseat that is on the TFO and I chose not to buy the factory rod for that reason. I can see it being a rod I would enjoy using on mid size streams for smallmouth, panfish with foam poppers and small streamers or throwing hoppers and beetles on some area trout streams. I will probably be looking for someone to build one for me with a different grip and slideband reelseat after the first of the year.

How do ya'll think the Berkley parametric compares with the TFO? Anyone cast the TFO and the 7.5 or 8' USA Parametric for comparison?I know they are as light of hand, probably the parametric is a little slower though, huh?-p-

Gene,

That TFO is a unique beast. I can't think of any classic glass that feels like it. What line weight is your client looking for?

Tom

Gene
It shouldn't be too big a problem to add a 10" extension to the butt section of one of those blanks, and that would give you a 7'-6" rod. However, it would also end up a staggered ferrule rod, with the butt being the longer section. I've got a few projects that I've got to get finished, but as soon as they're done, I'm going to give that a try. I'm thinking that doing this will make the finished product even more of a tip action rod than it already is. For me, that would be a plus (you know how much I like those tip action rods), but it might not suite everyones taste.

Barry; you need to try to use your influence on the powers that Be and get them to cook a few 7'9" blanks; just one foot longer than the current version; those things would sell like hotcakes at a Fat Boy Breakfast; by pass the lower hierarchy; talk to his wife!HA!-p-