Hi guys! Ive finally finished up my Troutsmiths 6023. First off, I need to say a big "thank you" to Shane for producing such an awesome taper and giving me rod building advice along the way. Shane is a stand up buisness man, and Im coming to find that he makes some really great blanks. Thanks Shane!
The rod is built with a RL reel seat, a hand turned 5-1/2" cork grip with a proof fly fishing raw bark ring on the face, wrapped with kimono #100 color 370 (teriyaki), spar varnish, and snake ultralite guides. It looks and feels great with a modern battenkill one clicker.
So far I have lawn cast the rod with a sylk dt3 and a rio creek wf3. To me, the rod feels a little underloaded with the sylk but feels awesome with the rio creek from 2-3' out to about 20-25' of line. To me, thats where a rod like this should shine. I suspect it will do just dandy for fishing dries right on up to a size 10 or 12, just right for small stream brookies. The rod is probably the most limber that I have ever held, I think it will be great for keeping smaller trout on the hook.
Im really pleased with the rod, Its great that someone is willing to produce shorter blanks at (relatively) heavy line weights and pack rod sections to boot. After the initial wiggle test I was so sure this one was going to be a stunner that I went back and ordered a 7034 and 7645. They both feel like very promising blanks as well.
With any luck Ill get some time on the water with this rod the weekend after labor day, Ill be sure to report back! Ill try to do some side by side casting with the SFG 2 with the same line and reel and provide a comparison.
Thanks!