2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod

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hopkintoncane
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2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod

#1

Post by hopkintoncane »

Just 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

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Tom Smithwick
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Re: 2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod

#2

Post by Tom Smithwick »

Hi 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.

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munsey w
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Re: 2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod

#3

Post by munsey w »

Todd- built mine a few months ago. I went hollow built and splice joints! The rod weighs barely over 3ozs and is a smooth powerful caster. I've already fish tested it too.


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hopkintoncane
Bamboo Fanatic
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Re: 2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod

#4

Post by hopkintoncane »

WOW

Tommasini
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Re: 2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod

#5

Post by Tommasini »

WOW is right!

headwaters
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Re: 2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod

#6

Post by headwaters »

Pretty sweet, Munsey! Nice fish too.

Rupert

resman549
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Re: 2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod

#7

Post by resman549 »

Munsey, that is a beauty ! I can't wait to see it in September.

mdbaker
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Re: 2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod

#8

Post by mdbaker »

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I 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".
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Franknrod
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Re: 2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod

#9

Post by Franknrod »

The 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.
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Frank Payne

bobha
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Re: 2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod

#10

Post by bobha »

Mine was a fairly fast taper with glass ferrules. That said I loved Munsey's rod

Bob

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Tommasini
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Re: 2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod

#11

Post by Tommasini »

Wow! Nice ferrules!
So, who won??

resman549
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Re: 2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod

#12

Post by resman549 »

Bob is being too humble , Mr. Hallowell was indeed the winner !

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munsey w
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Re: 2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod

#13

Post by munsey w »

Bob is very humble! his rods are fantastic as is his process of doing the fiberglass ferrules.

resman549
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Re: 2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod

#14

Post by resman549 »

Yes he is, but he did refuse to sign my hat.

recane1
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Re: 2019 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering Rod

#15

Post by recane1 »

Yes, Bob brought an amazing stick. Good job.

Aaron

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