I am sort of a tinker bell. Geeeez I don’t like that handle. uh…I like to experiment. I haven’t even tried my new 10’ rod yet. I see H&H has an 11’-6" 6/7wt spey rod kit for $88. Could that make a good fly rod? Say mount a 14" Tennessee handle about 1.25 diameter with sliding rings for the reel. Would mount reel where fishes well…and probably have a lot of fighting butt still below the reel. Depending on where the reel sits…you could actually be fishing a 10’-6" rod in actuallity. That doesn’t sound so bad to me. Know nuttin’ bout spey rods (and ity shows huh?). It is listed as 6/7 wt but that doesn’t mean it would be a good single hand fly rod. I could build it with the lightest of components and perhaps overline it.
Any opinions would be appreciated. My opinion is the only one I am an expert on…and right now it it not based on very much information.
Your idea of a Tennessee handle with adjustable rings sounds good, but it may be more of a hinderance. A Spey, or change of direction, cast entails more motion than your standard overhead cast. I believe the extra motion would cause your sliding bands to repeatedly lose their grip on the reel foot, thus requiring ongoing (and distracting) attention.
I would think a 4-5 inch rear grip and a 10-11 inch foregrip with a locking seat would be best. The rear grip would be long enough for two-handed casting, yet short enough to not get in your way for single-handed casting. Also keep in mind that a 6/7 wt Spey line is heavier (more grains) than a standard 6/7 wt line. I am not an expert here, rather just trying to help.
I’ve never handled a spey rod…But seems that with the added weight in the tip…it would really change the fulcrum aka balance point of the rod…and the use of a feather light all cork handle would really throw things in favor of the tip as far as balance is concerned. I feel the loosening of the rings as was stated would definitely be an issue…as the whole handle would be flexible and the added weight and rigidity of some type of seat with threaded locking rings would be a much better choice…
If you do build this rod…By all means let us know what you find might be the pro’s and or con’s of it… Joe Humphreys has some very interesting rod selections and reasons for using them in all of his videos that I’ve seen…and has sent me on a search of a 10 ft. rod for use in nymphing…
as well as level lines, His techniques in using these tools, as well as the ease with which he gets the desired drifts with them is quite thought provoking…
Thanks for the help. Bugsy…I was not going to try and spey cast with it. I wanted to turn it into the single overhead casting rod…just longer. Therefore I would not have the added twist you mentioned…I think…no…I don’t think. I could also cut it a little shorter. The reason for the curiosity is I have heard of people fishing with longer rods in other parts of the world, but it is hard to find a 11’ or 11’-6" blank to build on. here in the US. Also as far as the light weight reel seat…I would just use a heavier reel for added ballast. I would much prefer ordering an 11’ 5wt blank but don’t know of anyone selling them…except custom order…which means $200 just for the blank. I justg suspected a “spey” 6 wt blank would not necessarily have the same characteristics as a real 11’ fly rod blank.
I am just an incurable optimist. One of the reasons I want to build one is that in my area all have told me a 10’ would not work from a pontoon boat. I think not only it would, but maybe even an 11. The other reason is I just want to do it. I want to see what the results would be.
Bill…I might could get you a smokin’ good deal on a 10’ 3 piece custom built 5wt rod if you are interested. Also this custom builder, who just like any other builder mails it in a nice canvas covered tube…but for $12 will send it in a carry case in which you can leave the reel on…not just a straight tube. Not sure what weight rod you want. Global dorber sells a 2 piece 10’ 3 weight they call their ultralite nymphing rod. But it is a FULL FLex. They will sell the blank or the complete built rod. I forget the blank price but the completely built I think is $135. However I don’t follow their thinking. They believe in maximum guides and I vice versa. I don’t remember if he was referring to the 10’ 3 wt or not…but he did say they make one rod that has 19 guides! WOW! not for me. I am going to make the call right now on the custom rod I mentioned just to see if I can swing it. Then I will let you know all about it in a private e-mail. By the way, Global Dorber, a sponsor here, also sells a 10’ 1wt and a 10’ 2 wt. I am curious what they would be used for?