South FL Photo Essay

[MikeA]

I'm a Sage Fan but I also like the TFO and a small company called Dancraft that only makes blanks that are in the $50 to $130 range. Blank choice is very subjective and what I like doesn’t mean you'd like it. For guides I'm 100% convinced that the high-end ceramic fly guides are head and shoulders above traditional snakes. Problem is they don't look traditional so lot of folks won't buy them so companies don't build them. I floors me that someone would pay upwards of $500 for a rod with steel snake guides ? Once you cast a ceramic guide rod and see how smooth the line slides in and out you'll know what I mean. Also when you fish shooting heads where your constantly shooting and stripping back you'll be amazed how fast you can wear out a set of steel guides. I've done it in a year of use.

Here’s an example of what I’m talking about.

[Mike Hill]

Blank choice may be subjective, but never having cast a big fly rod, I have no real feel for the choices.  Looking for something that can go to the Coast with me and hook me up with some bigger sow trout, some reds, maybe snook and baby/small tarpon, while being able to be used up in Alaska for everything but maybe the biggest Kings.  The ceramic guides do sound like the ticket.  Any place better for buying this stuff?  The last blank I bought was from Herter's - that tells you how long ago it was.  I was in my teens.  I've been to that shop in Shelbyville (I think that was were it was).  Is he a good source or is on-line better?

[MikeA]

I deal with the place in Shelbyville Custom Tackle (there is a link on my home page) for most everything I need. Bob has been a great teacher and has treated me to some really good deals from time to time. For what you describe I think a St Croix SCII or SCIII might be just the ticket in maybe a 9 wt. Try to deal with Bob when you call, I think Scott is more into gear where Bob is more into the Fly end of things. I could be wrong and if so sorry Scott. The initial cost of getting everything to build may seem a bit high but future builds will quickly offset it back in your favor. It’s very rewarding to build a fly rod and like I said you can build it better.

We can lead you through it step by step here if needed.