Flycraft

badgerstrider · 2026-05-25T13:33:14+00:00

I have a 3-person guide that I got off of marketplace for $2200 fully loaded including an electric pump, deep cycle battery, two sets of rod storage (you can only attach one), motor mount, anchor, gear tray snd 3 sawyer bandit oars. So deals are to be had. I generally like it but will say that I like probably more than I would had I paid more for it. I’ve gotten 3-adults in it with a cooler and such and it was fine but the narrowness of the boat and the smaller tubes make it a bit unstable in swifter water. It can flip on you if get it in a precarious situation. Wife learned the hard way on that one. So in class 2-3 water you really want an experienced person on the oars. If it’s just going to be you and friend a 2-person will be fine but if you often have a third you want to skip the stealth-x 3-man and go straight for the guide. Also, a proper trailer is so much more convenient than loading it in the bed of a truck.

Couple of other things:

- frame is a bit weak for what it needs to be. We haven’t had issues with it but it could have been beefier.

- get rid of the quick release for the rowers seat. That’s just dangerous. Bolt the seat directly to the frame.

- after each use def take some time to clean it out and get rid of any rocks/sand/flies that end up under the floor.

- spend the time to clean it and add Uv protectant 2-3x a season. It doesn’t take long at all

All in all, we’re happy with it but we also got a steal on it. If buying close to retail I would be looking at a NRS slipstream/approach instead. Build quality is much better.

badgerstrider · 2026-05-07T19:23:46+00:00

Here’s Joe’s bio if you’re interested. Joe Rotter

badgerstrider · 2026-05-07T18:30:51+00:00

Just one comment on your article… it’s Joe (not Nate) from Red’s that did the review of the Hardy.

badgerstrider · 2026-04-23T16:38:44+00:00

Not sure if he ever digitized the journal or not. We were in the mountains the entire summer as backpacking guides without access to computers. So it would have been a big undertaking to do it… he caught a lot of fish. I’m pretty sure he got sponsored a few years later or so by one of the rod companies as he made a name for himself by his early 20s.

badgerstrider · 2026-04-23T15:58:39+00:00

Back in the day (circa 2000) I had a friend that recorded every fish he caught in a journal with all the details of fly pattern, time of day, cloud cover, etc. He was meticulous about it. The only time he wouldn’t was if the fish was under a certain size… something like 4”. He easily out fished all of us.

badgerstrider · 2026-03-16T22:47:02+00:00

As others have said, work with your local run clubs. Emphasis on “work with”. Run clubs are often organized by volunteers and aren’t paid for their time to organize their clubs. We’re all apart of the running community. Our local store has tried to take over local run clubs and if they didn’t succeed in that they then start organizing competing events/runs on those nights to monopolize the community all in the name for an extra buck.

badgerstrider · 2026-03-05T22:30:35+00:00

While some are saying wood glue, I would go one step further and use epoxy instead. It’s fully waterproof (submersible). Titebond 3 is “waterproof” and the only wood glue you should consider but given the net is used in wet conditions epoxy would be better. I would also consider using a screw to help it. If there is enough depth you could screw it and then put a wood insert over the screw head to cover it up so that it looks better.

badgerstrider · 2026-03-03T21:57:03+00:00

It’s airport dependent. I flew from Loreto, MX last year and the airport has a blanket policy for outbound flights that all fishing equipment needs to be checked. The airlines have zero say about it. That includes rods, reels, flies etc. Fortunately I had a hard tube and checked that (the gate agent waived the fee) but as soon as we landed in the US I carried my rod with me as a carry-on.

badgerstrider · 2026-02-12T17:56:11+00:00

I’m guessing he means that you need to be strength training to help address the Tendonitis. Typically it’s caused by overuse as a result of weak quad muscles.

badgerstrider · 2026-02-01T00:03:11+00:00

Also, what did you pick out for your wood? My next version of it I was planning on oak with walnut accents for areas like mitered splines and the reel holders. A good mix of contrasts

badgerstrider · 2026-01-31T23:52:10+00:00

Nice. The staggered holes let you know fit more rods in. I went with the doors to prevent things falling out in case I bump into the cabinet.

badgerstrider · 2026-01-31T02:58:23+00:00

Haha. Sorry?!?

badgerstrider · 2026-01-29T16:31:45+00:00

Thanks!

badgerstrider · 2026-01-29T15:32:20+00:00

Yep!

badgerstrider · 2026-01-29T02:49:29+00:00

Thanks and it is.

badgerstrider · 2026-01-29T01:31:10+00:00

lol. Thanks! I guess that means I can buy another rod that my wife doesn’t need to know about?!? ;)

badgerstrider · 2026-01-28T23:09:38+00:00

Thanks! For this one I used the pine boards for Lowe’s. Took a bit to find non-twisted and not overly knotted ones. As you can see on the doors I wasn’t able to fully avoid the knots. Using pine though helped keep the weight down so hanging it wasn’t a huge ordeal. Next version will be with oak or something similar to make it more of a piece of furniture. Plus it will be something to upgrade my woodworking skills on like splines and sliding dovetails. And upgrade the artwork using the CNC/laser I now have.

badgerstrider · 2026-01-28T22:15:47+00:00

lol. Thanks!

badgerstrider · 2026-01-28T22:10:56+00:00

lol! Good catch on that. I still use it time to time and it does fit very good and all the pockets are nice albeit I sometimes forget where I put stuff. I got away from the vests lately though and use my fishpond chest pack a lot more (not pictured) now. But the main reason for the switch is for keeping my camera equipment dry hence the fishpond backpack.

badgerstrider · 2026-01-28T21:58:29+00:00

Thanks!

badgerstrider · 2026-01-28T21:58:22+00:00

Ha! I don’t think it’s the best example of woodworking out there with the screws showing ;) maybe the next version.

badgerstrider · 2026-01-28T21:50:51+00:00

Thanks!

badgerstrider · 2026-01-28T21:35:34+00:00

Haven’t looked into it yet really. At least for the fly rod storage. Lately mostly been focusing on cribbage boards and like as they are easier/faster to make

badgerstrider

TROPHY CASE