[Rickbjr]

Here is a way to get into the trout spey game with a small initial investment if your somewhat handy. I'm not a rod builder but this another handle conversion I just completed. I bought the Anglers Roost 12' IM6 2/3 completed rod and took off the original handle and replaced it with the Angler's Roost new 19" Spey Handle kit. If you have all the components you can strip off the old handle and replace with the new spey handle and be fishing the same day. The rod is approximately $115.00 delivered and the 19" Spey Handle Kit is $35.00 delivered.

The action on this rod is real nice. Even though it says it is a 2/3 and comes with a single hand grip I rate the rod as a true 2/3 spey action. In other words the rod is more a 4/5 single action.

I had Steve Godshall make me a couple of lines for it. He knows the rod and recommended a skagit at 18.2' and 253 grains and a Scandi at 29.4' and 208 grains. The rod casts these lines very nicely.

 

[SkagitMiester]

Nice....

Very nice. How difficult was it to strip off the existing grip etc. and what source of heat or whatever did you use?

 

[wrx_canoe]

I built this rod from blank, guide kit and handle kit for much less than your total cost and was able to customize it. Food for thought. No need to strip anything.

 

[SkagitMiester]

What I would do

I would probobly buy the single hander and ad a fighting butt so mine would be just a few inches longer than ya'lls.:razz: But, building from scratch would be the way to go for sure.

 

[Rickbjr]

Skagit meister,

Not hard to strip off handle. Use dull knife (so you don't cut into the blank) to peel off corks, torch reel seat and twist off when nice and hot. Take knife and sandpaper and get rid of epoxy residue. Use a hack saw and cut off winding check being very careful to not cut into blank. Actually you dont cut all the way through and when you very close to being all the way through use a screw driver placed into the cut slot and twist.

wrx-canoe,

Your right much cheaper buying blank and building from scratch. I just don't have the patience, skill set, tools, inclination, etc., etc. to wrap all those guides!

 

[TTL]

Will be building this or the 11' 2/3 soon. Just can't decide between the two. Glad to hear you like the rod.

 

[fredaevans]

Good call.

"I had Steve Godshall make me a couple of lines for it. He knows the rod and recommended a skagit at 18.2' and 253 grains and a Scandi at 29.4' and 208 grains. The rod casts these lines very nicely."

When it comes to proper line(s) for a rod I don't question his judgement, I just write/sign the cheque. :roll:

 

[FEFF]

I have built the 11' 4/5 and I currently have the 11' 2/3 on the bench. A box with some notches cut out and a book for a thread tensioner, add a pack of wilkinson razor blades, something to pack the tread and you are set. Use some spar varnish for the wraps and no rod turner needed.

Mike

www.fringeelementflyfishing.blogspot.com

 

[david.schotzko]

I have built the 11' 4/5 and I currently have the 11' 2/3 on the bench. A box with some notches cut out and a book for a thread tensioner, add a pack of wilkinson razor blades, something to pack the tread and you are set. Use some spar varnish for the wraps and no rod turner needed.

Mike

www.fringeelementflyfishing.blogspot.com

Mike - can you elaborate on no rod turner needed? Is that just because you use spar varnish rather than epoxy?

 

[FEFF]

Yes. You can get away with hand turning Spar varnished wraps. I found that if you are working on a section like a tip section with more guides just varnishing and going to the next guide and varnishing that wrap and so on is most of the rod turning. Once all are done and leveled out (from turning when applying varnish) you can just rotate by hand every couple of minutes and you are good. Now the big question, Do I own a rod turner / dryer? Yes I do. I have a job that is a 24 hr the phone never stops deal and I had wraps ruined when I had to run to the phone then got stuck on the computer solving some sort of crisis.

 

[Rickbjr]

Good Mojo!

Christened the rod with a nice Brown on Sunday!

 

[txtrout]

Nice break in.