[Hamish Young]

Seem to recall from info on a social networking site that Rich is getting one of these http://swiftflyfishing.com/collections/epic-fly-rod-blanks/products/epic-dh11-two-handed-salmon-blank put together at the moment, but has any forum member actually tried one

What was it like ??? I'm intrigued. I don't dislike the single handers but they're not really my cup of coffee. However, the double hander does interest me.

H

[Mike Barrio]

Haven't tried one Hamish, but I have a blank as a winter project

I'm also intrigued by the grain window that Carl gives for this

Cheers
Mike

[Hamish Young]

I'm also intrigued by the grain window that Carl gives for this

Oddly enough..... it kind of reminds me of what you used to see on the side of fibreglass B&W rods (and their early carbon ones, to be fair) something like 12' #6-12wt 
OK, the Epic isn't quite that extreme in terms of grain window but I'm very keen to try one out. I'd like it longer, 11'6 is just a wee bit too close to a Switch rod size for me, and perhaps that longer rod will come. In the meantime, I'll wait for you to get yours finished Mr B

[Ben Dixon]

Grain window is only confusing as line sizes have also been given.  Simply put, for a "Scandi" type head go towards lower to middle of grain window, Skagit mid to upper end of the window, presuming here that it will be used two handed.

Cheers

Ben

[Mike Barrio]

Have you cast yours yet Rich?

[Graeme Inglis]

I had mine out on the Tweed last Monday, it worked quite well with one of Mike's 5/6 Switch lines, but I think it would perform better with the 6/7.  I tried an 8/9 shooting head earlier but that was way too heavy so I'm not quite sure how they came up with such a wide grain window.

Graeme

[Marc Fauvet]

I'm not quite sure how they came up with such a wide grain window.

pretty sure it has to do with being able to use a wide variety of lines types, Skagit-Scandi-Switch with their inherently different leaders, tips and fly sizes and weights.
cheers,
marc

[Mike Barrio]

Can you tell us more about what your first impressions of the rod on the water are Graeme?

Cheers
Mike

[Graeme Inglis]

Mike, my first impressions are good, with the 8/9 it was overwhelmed by the line, but when I put your 5/6 switch on it was transformed.  On the Tweed there was a blustery upstream wind which didn't help and I had a 5ft fast sinking tip on.  I was on the South bank so (because I cant cast left hand up, medical reasons  ) i was double speying, the action was good, powerful and light to handle and it covered the water well.  I was comparing it to my 12' 6" Echo that I bought your 5/6 for (a cracking combination) and I felt that the Epic could have performed better with a bit more weight in the line.  My overall impression is that it has great potential, although I'm not sure how it would deal with a skagit.  I will be intrigued to hear what your team think of it.

Cheers,

Graeme

[Mike Barrio]

Great stuff Graeme

Might be a while before mine is built and I get a chance to get on the water with it, but I'll let you know how I get on

Cheers
Mike

[Hamish Young]

...... but I have a blank as a winter project

How is this progressing Mike.... winter has only got 6 months left

[Sandy Nelson]

Hi H

The rod is whipped and ready for epoxy, but it has to wait in line

The handle is custom though, with a titanium seat



So hopefully Mr B will see it in the next couple of weeks

Sandy

[Mike Barrio]

Looking great Sandy

Cheers
Mike

[Hamish Young]

I look forward to seeing it in the 'flesh' so to speak

[Mike Barrio]

I look forward to seeing it in the 'flesh' so to speak

........... and having a play

[Hamish Young]

........... and having a play

Ocht well..... go on then 

H

[Rich Knoles]

Sorry Guys, I'm late to the party here. I've thrown it with Skagits to 520 grain. It will turn 10-11 feet T-14 over.  I fished it for 5 days with an SA 520 Skagit Extreme Intermediate with T-14 on it.  For me the 8/9 Switch works well. I haven't had to many other proper lines on it yet. Some lighter Skagits work well, depending on how much junk you're throwing. The grain window range on the rod is pretty spot on. It will throw all those line weights. I'd like another foot of rod. It's a beautiful color purple in the sunlight. I'll be working up all the Switch Lines on it when I get back to Michigan

[Mike Barrio]

Sandy dropped my new toy off yesterday ..... can't wait for the weather to improve

Awesome build Sandy

[Colin Sunley]

Switch Rod ?
Opps should have read the other comments first, 

[Mike Thornton]

The  world famous R.B. MEISER double handed fly rods all come with a grain window which indicates a variation of up to 300 grains for any given rod. It was also common for Bruce and Walker to indicate a three line weight variation on their salmon fly rods.
 Todays "tippy" rods seem much more restrictive on line size capability, and it is unfortunate that many new anglers have probably never experienced a rod that loads right to the butt.

[Mike Barrio]

it is unfortunate that many new anglers have probably never experienced a rod that loads right to the butt.

Yes, it's great to be able to try all sorts of rods with different actions Mike

[Hamish Young]

Sandy dropped my new toy off yesterday ..... can't wait for the weather to improve

Good.... the sooner it improves the sooner you can bring it up here for me to play with borrow for a very long time dick around with test it 

H

[Graeme Inglis]

I shall be giving mine another outing in exactly 4 weeks! I'll watch this space to see what you guys think though.

Graeme

[Hamish Young]

Graeme - I see you're selling your home build Epic DH11, not what you expected/wanted I have yet to try Mr B's Epic and am interested in what folk have found when they've used it.
I dislike the Epic single handers - not hate, just dislike - but I'd have thought the DH11 would work nicely.....

H

[Graeme Inglis]

Hi Hamish,
Its not bad especially with Mike's Switch 8/9, but it needs a change in technique for the through action of the blank to get the best out of it and I guess I'm a bit long in the tooth for that.  Besides I found that that same Switch line transformed my Guideline LPX Switch rod which kind of made the DH11 redundant.  Unlike you I love my Epic trout rod for dry fly, wet fly, sinking tips etc. is a different matter.

It's a pity about the DH11 I enjoyed the build and I put a lot into it, but....

Graeme