Another Tenkara Outing

On my previous nymphing outing with the Tenkara things really didn't go as planned. Well I changed my leader to be about 13ft long and equipped it with an inline strike indicator that is about 170cm from the point fly. I fish a two fly rig so my dropper is 50cm above the point fly.

From my Curly Q strike inidicator I have a butt section of plus minus 6ft. My line from Curl Q to point fly is 6lb Maxima and its tough as nails. The fish in this clip is not big at all, but I just want to add that I did handle fish double this size without any problems.

 Average time for fish to come to the net is 1-2 Minutes. Note how strong they swim off as they are not played half dead.


 

 Thanks for watching

Another Sage Xi3 12wt

I was recently commissioned by Tony Doult to do a Sage Xi3 12wt he wanted for those Big Geets up in Oman.

Quick Specs:

Sage Xi3 12wt Blank
Alps Triangular Seat in Gunsmoke
American Tackle Typhoon Spin/ Cast guides in TiCh with Blue Zirconia rings as Strippers
Chrome Saltwater Snake Guides
Prowrap Nylon in Blue and Metallic Blue Spirals

Thanks for looking

Grunter Twins

I was recently asked to do two Light Spinning Rods for Grunter

Quick Specs:

Phenix Trifecta Salmon Spinning Blanks 6-12lb

Fuji CMNAG Guides and single foot guides with matching Tip Top.

Prowrap Black with either Green or Blue Metallic Trims

Split Grips complete with custom aluminium trims/hoods

Pac Bay Split Seat

Thanks for looking

Complete Saltwater Kit

I was recently commissioned to do a complete Saltwater Kit for Simon Fairhurst.

The Kit Includes the following:

1 x "Plano Type" Rod Tube
1 x Big Pit Reel Carry Case
2 x Shimano Stella 20 000 Reels loaded with 80lb Tuffline Braid
1 x Calstar GF770XH 6'6" Jigging Stick
1 x 10' Purglass Popping Stick in 3-4oz
2 x Sage Xi3 12wt 9' Fly Rods
1 x Shilton SL7 Reel loaded with Airflo Tropical Di7 Fast Sink Line
1 x Shilton SL7 Spare Spool loaded with Airflo Tropical Intermediate
2 x Custom Rod Tubes for the Sages



Purglas Surf Popper

Candy Apple Red Purglas 10' 3-4oz
Fuji K Series Guides in Gunsmoke with SiC Rings
Fuji Deluxe Spinning Seat
Quick Clip Hook Keeper

Calstar Jigging Stick 

Calstar GF770XXH Blank
Fuji K Series Guides with Titanium frame and SiC Rings
Aftco Aluminium Reel Seat
Nylon Butt with Dual Slot Aluminium Gimball

Apologies if you see some dust on the rods. I cleaned it, but going in and out of the rod bags, they tend to pick up dust.


Sage Xi3 12wt 9'0 Fly Rod in Blue

Sage Xi3 12wt 4 piece blank
Alps Triangular Reelseat in Gunsmoke
American Tackle DCRLS Typhoon Spin/Cast Guides as Strippers
Pac Bay Chrome Snake Guides
Popeye Blue with Metallic Blue Trim Wraps
Fullwells Cork Grip
Cork Fighting Butt and Fighting Handle

Sage Xi3 12wt 9'0 Fly Rod in Black

Sage Xi3 12wt 4 piece blank
Alps Triangular Reelseat in Black
American Tackle BTRLS Typhoon Spin/Cast Guides as Strippers
Pac Bay TiCh Snake Guides
Black with Metallic Blue Trim Wraps
Fullwells Cork Grip
Cork Fighting Butt and Fighting Handle

And last but not least a close up of the rod tube

Thanks for looking.

Test Run On Modified Tenkara

I recently built a 13ft Modified Tenkara to be able to fish on the Vaal river. The main objective was to target Yellowfish, our Indigenous Carp on a fixed line. I wanted to see if it would be possible to land them on only 18ft of line. I had friends tell me beforehand that it's impossible. What would you do if it decided to go downstream? What would you do if you foul hook one? Would the rod thats slightly heavier than a fly rod not wear you out? Would you be able to land the fish on 6lb tippet? Won't the rod break?

Well all those questions got answered. I did land fish on a fixed line of only 18ft. What I did realise is that I could go lighter and I am now working on a lighter model. Now I am not happy that I foul hooked the two Yellows, but I am pleased that I was able to land them.

Here is a video clip that I shot of the outing. Apologies for the poor quality but I am still trying to figure out the conversions to upload to Youtube.

Thanks for watching.

2 x Orvis Superfine Touch 1wts - Part 1

I just completed 2 x Superfine Touch 1wt 7'6" rods.

This post will be photo heavy so I will try and split it up.

Specs:
Orvis Superfine Touch 1wt 7'6" 4 piece blanks
Grey and Blue Grey Thread
Fuji BMNAG Strippers
Pacbay Lite Wire Snakes in Black
Palmgrip with anodized aluminium sliding ring and concealed hood
Rod finished off with matte clear coat.
Aluminium Rod Tubes Powdercoated and fitted with my Signature Series Endcaps in black with Lazer Etched Engraving

Well here is the Blue Grey One I did for Gordon Van Der Spuy.

2 x Orvis Superfine Touch 1wts - Part 2

Here is the one I did in grey for Phil Martin

2 x Orvis Superfine Touch 1wts - Part 3

This is the final part of this build.

I decided to take some close ups of the rod tubes.

I am very pleased with the finish on these two tubes. I like the colour and the black endcaps really does compliment this build very well.

Thanks for looking

Old School Rod Tube

I was recently commissioned to do a custom rod tube.
The brief was simple.
A pink tube, with some type of flowers and a purple Beetle.

So after some emails finalizing the artwork and deciding on the pink, we decided to go with the following:

2" Aluminium Tube Painted 1957 Oldsmobile Pink
Beetle, Sage and Flowers graphics done with vinyl
Tube finished off with a matte/satin clear coat
My Signature Series Endcaps Lazer Engraved as per client's specification.

Well this is how it turned out....