[Ben Dixon]

Took the plunge on a hand full of the new Sage Method blanks to fill a few gaps I had in my armoury.  I needed a new streamer / light saltwater / sea trout / grilse rod and something for the BFCC #5 & #7 full line comps.

So far I've managed to get the 790 & 697 built and I have to say, I'm very impressed.  Blanks came from the new UK distributor Guide Fly Fishing, they don't hold the blanks in stock but did order some for me.  I think usual outlets in the UK will have them fairly soon.

A few pics of the 790 which I built up as a distance stick but, it's too good to only see use along a tape and cuts some really awesome loops.  Rings are H&H AP snakes and Fuji KWSG anti tangle strippers. Thread is Gudebrod Rust, & Pac Bay black, trim is Madeira col. 360, reel seat is a Pac Bay CL7 and the handle and butt are Calamity Kev Specials with cork from some Ebay dude in Portugal. Finish is standard Flex Coat.








A few of the 697, rings are as above, reel seat is an REC from a Helios 2 with an Red Jara burl insert painstakingly crafted at great length by Kev (as was the handle)








Kev turning the insert, he's actually very good at that stuff, the wood was full of voids and looked like a serious ballache to work with.  End result looks as good as any insert I have seen and contrasts nicely with the red blank


Finishing with boiled linseed oil & Superglue


Almost there.


Got a few more of these coming, will probably build the 590 next, once I get the sea trout rods out of the way!

Cheers

Ben

[Allan Liddle]

Looking good Ben 

[Mike Barrio]

You've got the bug

[Hamish Young]

Most excellent 

[Ben Dixon]

You've got the bug

It seems that way, I'd be better off tying classic salmon flies, materials to throw one together are probably cheaper 

[Will Shaw]

Have to say it Ben, you and Kev did a fantastic job on those rods. Really professional-looking kit.

That 7wt of yours is an absolute peach - up there with the best rods I've ever cast. Unbelievably stable and crisp. It'll be really interesting to see another 790 and find out if they're all that good.

Nice one.

W.

[Ben Dixon]

Have to say it Ben, you and Kev did a fantastic job on those rods. Really professional-looking kit.

That 7wt of yours is an absolute peach - up there with the best rods I've ever cast. Unbelievably stable and crisp. It'll be really interesting to see another 790 and find out if they're all that good.

Nice one.

W.

Really pleased with the way they came out, took a lot longer than I thought it would and that's forgetting the learning curve with the handle assembly & cork turning and the differing niggles with different (seemingly almost any) lumps of attractive wood.  Kev's done a cracking job with the seats.  Kev is working on something just now that will be the ultimate in aesthetically pleasing reel seats 

I agree with your thoughts on the 790, definitely up there with the most impressive rods I used.  I'd like to cast a factory rod to see what it is like, I used thin rather than standard wire guides and a smaller tip ring than factory build and, there is less epoxy up top than on most factory rods.  I'd sort of like to know how much difference that has made or whether it really is just a damn good blank.

Back to the "Orvis Coastguard".....

Ben

[Hamish Young]

Back to the "Orvis Coastguard".....

  Awww mate cheers