Cyangler, thanks so much! That Epic 686 is a fun rod.

Hi Chase,
Glad you got to handle one and that you enjoyed it! Sounds like that show was quite fun. I wish I lived closer.

Hi Rich,

After recently learning a little bit about your taste in fly rod actions, I think you would love Chris's new 3wt. I have one and I feel like it has a more modern, but very similar feel to the Scott F 703 brown version. They are both progressive tapers, with very fast recovery and no wobble at all. I am by no means an expert on fly rods, and this is just my opinion. Over the last year, I have accumulated a few high end rods, and Chris's new 3wt is right there at the top.

Wes

Howdy everyone,
The response to the 3wts has been so overwhelming that I decided to go through with the production of the 4 & 5wts. I have the final prototypes in hand and have spent countless hours casting them (I can attest that they cast fine in -10deg weather, although I don’t!). I have to say that I’m extremely pleased with these rods and can’t wait to get them out there.
I expect the blanks to arrive by the end of January and will have completed rods in February.
The details will be the same as with the 3wts. The 4wt is 7’8″ and the 5wt is 7’10″ and both are three piece rods.
I will give an update as soon as they are ready to go. I will also post pictures as soon as possible. If anyone has questions, feel free to contact me.

Thanks for the support, and good fishing!

Dusty,

I think you will be pleased. Here is a clipped review I did on another forurm:

Chris and I went fishing yesterday. I guess one would call it "field research" or just the need to go fishing. We were on my favorite Ozark spring creek at around 0900. Chris was testing out his new 7'10" 5wt. and I was fishing my Orvis "Far & Fine 7'9" 5 wt. Weather predictions said that it would top out in the low 40's with gusty winds around 20 mph.

After a couple of hours of fishing the Orvis Chris handed me his stick. First impressions for me are always related to the aesthetics. The next few comments are related to his skill as a builder. Many here probably know Chris' work. If however you do not you should know that his work is top notch and I mean this. His wraps do not look like wraps but more like solid overlay's. The thread is packed together so tightly and all the wraps are straight without the slightest variance. The varnish work is smooth and even and with the 5-6 coats I believe he uses there is no "Factory" effect of being heavy handed or "globbed" on. As far as the design with respect to aesthetics this is where Chris' personality comes through on his rods. The grip design is all his, comfortable and just the right length. In this day in age of everyone wanting retro looks it is nice to know that Chris draws a line and is uncompromising. This is reflected in his choice of reel seat hardware. I suggested a down locking reel seat for the 5wt before handling the rod and was summarily dismissed. A flick of the wrist and that subject was closed. A man of principle, I like it.

On to the performance of his latest creation ... The wind was gusty and blowing hard. At times seemed to be coming from all directions. The rod was mated to Kineya 301 loaded with I believe SA supra. The rod had a noticeably heavier swing weight than the Orvis F&F, which had an Orvis Battenkill II click pawl reel on it. No big deal, just my impression. I would say that with my casting stroke the road loads evenly and consistently right to the grip. I believe one would call this “progressive.” I did not feel the rod loading in the grip but perhaps that is just my casting stroke. The release of the energy on the forward stroke is the same. Smooth and crisp would be my words. No tip jumping after the fly hit the water. Quick "recovery" I guess would be the adjective to describe this. I am no competitive caster by any means. I rarely need to throw 40' of line on the waters I fish. My concerns are accuracy and presentation. I was however able to push the rod when needed and I never felt the rod collapse or waver when throwing about 60’ of line. The rod roll casts like a dream and made my full flex Orvis Far & Fine feel like a Sage One by comparison. What I appreciate the most is the rods ability to load with the tip only. This rod will make delicate presentations at the shortest distances. Again, just my $.02 but in my opinion this is a very special rod that is really going to be a dry fly fisherman’s dream, able to handle size 30 trico’s and the largest hopper/dropper rigs one needs to throw. I also sincerely believe that the rod will handle all but the largest nymph rigs easily as well as many streamer applications.

Time to sell some gear…

Joe

I have been saving for the 3 wt but now I can't determine which rod I'd rather have. Logically, the right move is to buy all three. Financially, snowball's chance

Looks very, very nice Chris. And the reports so far are encouraging. Great job!

I really like the Scott F2 653/3, and to hear some comparisons between your 7'2" 3wt and this Scott (as well as a brown Scott F703) are peaking my interest.

* Has anyone possibly fished both the Barclay 7'2" 3wt and the Kenney 7'3" 3wt? If so, I'd be very interested in your thoughts and observations of these 2 rods.

Chris, when are your 4wt and 5wt models going to be ready?

Congrats Chris!

I received my new Barclay 4ft and 5wt this week, as well. The attention to detail and overall craftsmanship is what you would expect from Chris. I haven’t had the opportunity to get them out on the water however the initial lawn casting tells me that they will be added to the "never sell list". There is definitely continuity in the rod series, if you have cast and appreciate the characteristics of the Barclay 3wt, you will like the 4wt and 5wt.

"OK" I've done it! I have received all three rods from Chris Barclay. The 3wt., 4wt., & the 5wt. Outstanding workmanship. The consistency from one through the others in detail, color and professionalism is top shelf. Can't wait to get them all on the water. With this set of rods there appears to be no need to own any other lengths or line weights. This set will cover most of all of your trout fishing needs with fiberglass. Though I am guilty of owning a few other rods. For those of you looking to capitalize on efficiency and keeping the rod count to a minimum this trio will get that done for you. If you are considering a new rod or two look to these buggers. They are awesome. My two cents. Thanx Chris!
Mark

*Note that I have no financial interest in Chris Barclay.*

I can say without reservation that the workmanship is right there with the big guys ie; Wojnicki, Claudio, Cummings, Kenny, Carpenter etc. etc. Maybe not Peak but I have a soft spot for his work. Anyway, I cannot speak to performance on the water but from my experience and casting them on the lawn they appear to be able to handle any trout fishing situation I can think of. That comes from more that fifty years on the water. They all have what I would call a progressively crisp feel. Not as crisp as Cummings and not as full flexing as Wojnicki. Somewhat similar to the Scott F2 series. The 3wt. so far is my favorite but that said I spend 90% of my time on small creeks. My two cents in my humble opinion. I will report later in the year as to performance on the water. But for now we here in Big Sky Country are in the middle of one of the worst run-off seasons I have ever seen. As a side note. Those of you coming to Montana this year to fish would do well to wait until at least the middle of July. Maybe then one will be able to fish comfortably.

Moderator note: Please do not fully quote the preceding post.

Lugan & ibookje,

I am simply commenting on the excellence in workmanship offered by Barclay. I am only comparing that to the stunning work by Peak, Cummings, Claudio, Kenny, Wojnicki, Carpenter and the like. I own rods from all of those makers and can easily put them side by side to compare the details and commitment to maintaining the history, heritage and culture that reflects the important aspects of this game of Fly Fishing. I believe Barclay does that. That's all.

In regards to my comments on the fishing aspects and casting qualities of Barclay's work that remains in my humble opinion only. But again, I'm comparing his work to that of those mentioned above I feel strongly in what I have offered as to the fishability of Barclay's rods. When I cast one of Barclay's rods next to a Cummings or a Wojnicki of the same length and line weight I can feel pretty secure in how I can expect it to fish once the rod is on the water. Again, this is only my two cents and humble opinion. Others such as yourselves will disagree and are welcome to do so. Intelligent people can agree to disagree.

Mark