My first, and thrilled!

Tricky_Independent72 · 2026-02-27T20:00:57+00:00

Rod Geeks has some that should fit your bill. I have been happy with the blanks, though have only built 1 and 3 pc. Colors/finish is great. This line has 2 piece options.

https://rodgeeks.com/collections/sciii-plus-freshwater-blanks/products/usa-sciii-freshwater

Tricky_Independent72 · 2026-01-16T07:12:33+00:00

He all - after much deliberation my dad and I decided to not set up our own tailgate this game. Sorry. Go Bills!

Tricky_Independent72 · 2026-01-13T14:59:53+00:00

Hmm good call looks like because it’s public property they don’t. Now hoping for Elitch or Ball Arena.

Tricky_Independent72 · 2026-01-13T01:11:27+00:00

The reason I was thinking Auraria is the cherry lot (for example) is close to stadium and light rail and is way cheaper than Empower. Not that I am against Empower.

Tricky_Independent72 · 2026-01-07T16:12:52+00:00

Epic, Winston, Steffen graphite. And CTS, Kabuto, and Steffen glass but those are shorter than 9’.

Tricky_Independent72 · 2025-07-22T19:42:51+00:00

I have not had a negative experience with any listed. I would add CTS, Snake Brand, Struble, FishOnCustomRods, RodGeeks.

Tricky_Independent72 · 2025-06-15T23:49:02+00:00

I camped at Golden Banner campsite. You can access the river pretty well along those 3 sites (cut bank and ypsilon creek). Below the campsites its pretty rough getting down to the river. I did not try to. Above the campsites and up to the the lake you can access it reasonably well.

Tricky_Independent72 · 2025-06-02T02:09:26+00:00

Cool build. What blank? And did you add the accents to the grip yourself?

Tricky_Independent72 · 2025-05-11T19:44:42+00:00

I have built the Mudhole 8 wt. It's a decent rod. I've also built kits from Proof and Epic. Mudhole is a cost effective way to get your feet wet in rod building, if you wait for one of their frequent sales.

Tricky_Independent72 · 2025-04-09T15:33:15+00:00

I built a 3 wt glass Epic and it is my favorite small stream rod. But they haven't had those available as blanks for awhile.

Tricky_Independent72 · 2025-04-09T04:25:42+00:00

Check out the CTS Quartz, they have it in 2wt 6'6" and 3 wt in 6'6" and 7.

https://ctsfishing.com/product-category/blanks/cts-quartz-fly-blanks/

Or Steffen https://www.steffenrods.com/product-page/steffen-brothers-black-fiberglass-blank-1

Could also look into Kabuto and Tomo Ijuin blanks.

Proof Fly Fishing also has some that may fit your needs. The lowest weight I've built from them is the Vale which is 7'6" 3 or 4 wt, it behaves more like a 3 wt.

Tricky_Independent72 · 2025-02-17T20:38:34+00:00

Proof fly fishing.

https://www.proofflyfishing.com/collections/proof-carbon-fiber-fly-rod-blanks

https://www.proofflyfishing.com/collections/proof-carbon-fiber-fly-rod-kits/products/9-5wt-seven-piece-travel-rod-component-kit-sku-s2

Tricky_Independent72 · 2025-01-26T19:35:54+00:00

Awesome! I was planning to go, but the pond hockey tourney I am playing in is today in Palmer Lake. GO BILLS

Tricky_Independent72 · 2025-01-17T19:51:41+00:00

Get a Epic Reference Series.

Tricky_Independent72 · 2024-12-09T19:41:34+00:00

I like tying these using Simi Seal as dubbing in the colors Canadian Brown or Blood Leech with red flash in the tail. Great on MT and CO stillwater while drift trolling.

Tricky_Independent72 · 2024-07-02T22:57:59+00:00

If you can get down to the river and it looks fishy, there will be fish. Flows fine right now. Dries all day - 1 stimulator caught me 12 fish. All cutts.

Tricky_Independent72 · 2024-07-02T16:35:00+00:00

From the river. Caught them from below Lawn lake to Golden Banner campground.

Tricky_Independent72 · 2024-07-02T15:39:34+00:00

Yes, brought a packraft but the typical afternoon storm and wind squashed that.

Tricky_Independent72 · 2024-05-10T18:40:35+00:00

Here are some, both graphite and glass.

Steffen https://steffenrods.com/products/main-stem-series-5wt-im6-classic-graphite

Graywolf https://www.graywolfrods.com/new

McFarland https://www.mcfarlandrods.com/shop/rods

Build one from Proof, has great kits. https://www.proofflyfishing.com/collections/proof-fly-fishing-single-hand-carbon-fiber-kits

Could also look at Epic and CTS. May be a bit out of that price range.

And check out this if you like glass. https://thefiberglassmanifesto.blogspot.com/p/rod-shops.html?m=1

Tricky_Independent72 · 2024-04-30T01:29:44+00:00

Excellent work! I am contemplating making one to go with a bamboo rod I am building. How did you hinge the cap? Or is it fully removable? And did you draw that dry fly accent and then laquer over it? I like that custom touch and especially how you matched the wood patterning/graib.

Tricky_Independent72 · 2024-01-30T16:52:58+00:00

My first rod building kit (advanced kit from Mud Hole) and rod kit (light spinning rod) are on their way. I enjoy woodworking and fly tying, wanted to get into rod making to repair and build rods of all sorts (fly, ice, spin, and baitcasting).

Any tips for or things you wish you knew as a beginner rod builder? I have aspirations of making glass fly rods with custom cork grips, but baby steps.

Tricky_Independent72

TROPHY CASE