2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod
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- Bamboo Fanatic
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2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod
#1Just curious if any rodmakers here on the board have developed the "TSA Special" taper for this year's challenge, as a reminder, its a 4pc 8 foot 5wt, I know of 1 rodmaker who has been playing around with the challenge, would love to see examples if anyone else has been working on 1, Todd
- Tom Smithwick
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Re: 2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod
#2Hi Todd - A few years back, the challenge was for a 5 weight rod with a maximum section length of something in the 33" range with no rod length restriction. So you could build a 3 piece 8 footer, which is what most chose to do. I decided to try a 4 piece version with shorter sections and see what would happen. It came out 8'2" long, which was fine with me. The rod placed in the middle of the pack, which I think was pretty good considering the handicap of the extra ferrule. On 5" centers:
.066 .084 .101 .116 .132 .148 .164 .179 .194 .209 .224 .239 .254 .269 .284 .299 .314 .329 .344 .359
The taper was derived from a 2 piece version, which I like quite a bit. In hindsight, I think I added too much to the butt of the 4 piece version to compensate for the ferrules. The rod feels a bit stiff to me. Here is the two piece taper.
.066 .085 .101 .116 .131 .146 .162 .177 .193 .208 .222 .236 .249 .263 .275 .288 .301 .313 .325 .337
If I were to do the 4 piece again, I think I would reduce the butt section very gradually from the 60" mark back to about .350 at the 95" mark, maintaining a smooth curve in the taper.
.066 .084 .101 .116 .132 .148 .164 .179 .194 .209 .224 .239 .254 .269 .284 .299 .314 .329 .344 .359
The taper was derived from a 2 piece version, which I like quite a bit. In hindsight, I think I added too much to the butt of the 4 piece version to compensate for the ferrules. The rod feels a bit stiff to me. Here is the two piece taper.
.066 .085 .101 .116 .131 .146 .162 .177 .193 .208 .222 .236 .249 .263 .275 .288 .301 .313 .325 .337
If I were to do the 4 piece again, I think I would reduce the butt section very gradually from the 60" mark back to about .350 at the 95" mark, maintaining a smooth curve in the taper.
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- Bamboo Fanatic
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- Bamboo Fanatic
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Re: 2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod
#7Munsey, that is a beauty ! I can't wait to see it in September.
Re: 2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod
#8I made this 8 ft, 4 piece, 5 wt rendition of an F.E. Thomas rod whose taper I kindly received from Sante Giuliani before he passed away. I thought it would make a nice contribution to the 2019 Catskill Rod Makers competition. I flame darkened the cane and added blued nickel silver components. I call it my "Black coffee pack rod".
Re: 2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod
#9The bamboo fly rod I made for the Demarest Challenge next weekend is finally ready. The taper is a composite I developed after comparing multiple 8 weight tapers I found on line. The ferrules are pieces of graphite rod blank reinforced with Kevlar thread. I paired the rod with an antique 1930's era Pfluger Medalist reel I found at a garage sale a few weeks ago.
Frank Payne
Re: 2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod
#12Bob is being too humble , Mr. Hallowell was indeed the winner !
- munsey w
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Re: 2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod
#13Bob is very humble! his rods are fantastic as is his process of doing the fiberglass ferrules.