Finished my second build this weekend, a McFarland GTX 8’6” 8wt. Intended use: freshwater stripers, redfish, and bonefish. The wraps are an interesting color - they look gray in low light, but in brighter light they turn a subtle shade of green.

Specs:
Pac Bay A8L reel seat
Alps XN titanium stripping guide (size 16)
Snake ECOating guides
Kimono silk thread (sensei color)
Threadmaster epoxy

Thanks! I’ll be sure to post a report when I get it on the water. If it’s anything like the 7wt GTX, I think I’ll enjoy it. My initial impression based on the wiggle test is the 8wt feels like a significant step up in power from the 7wt GTX.

Thanks, Lanny! Your rod building advice has flattened the learning curve for me as I get started with my first few builds.

Very nice build

Looks like it will be at home in the marsh. Enjoy.

Nice looking rod!

Thank you for doing that Seth, I’d assumed Mike packed it that way. The blank was a custom order, and based on the condition of the box, I’m sure you saved the blank.

This is what I love about rod building, and what drives me crazy about it at the same time. I am so excited to get every new rod on the water, but since I don't have an excess of leisure time, I'm already half-thinking about the next build before I can fish what I just finished.

Seriously, though—I really am looking forward to your report about how it handles on the water. I like fishing vicariously through everyone here, and my experiences with the 6-weight GTX have me thinking about another rod from this line-up, especially in the heavier line-weights.

Mass, I agree the GTX taper excels with a heavy line designed for fast graphite rods like the Orvis lines you mentioned. I’ve only fished the rod once so far and got skunked, so I haven’t posted a proper fishing report yet.

I used an overweight Rio Outbound Short 8 intermediate, and it was a great match. I was blown away by how much line I could shoot with little effort and only 2-3 backcasts, which is exactly what I was looking for in a lake/marsh/flats rod that needs to handle some headwinds.

Glacier, I’ll be the devil on your shoulder and say it’s a safe bet that you won’t regret building a heavier GTX to pair with your 6wt. Wish I could let you cast the 7 and 8wt side by side. Let me know I can help with any questions.