Here it is, the first fly rod built by Brad Harris of FlyLife fame. Built using a pre-release Epic "ready to wrap" fly rod kit.

Brad chose our Epic 580 in Nude for his build, with YLI jade silk wraps and our modified Cigar grip.

We think he's done a stunning job with this build. According to Brad he had intended to built it up over a few weeks, but ended up taking only 3 evenings!

From Brad:

I was after something a bit different, and the Swift Epic blanks caught my eye (how could they NOT, with those funky colours?). Check 'em out here: http://swiftflyfishing.com

I'd always been a bit hesitant to build a rod, assuming I'd need vernier calipers, cork reamers and fancy binding rigs. So, I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that Swift were selling components matched to their blanks. With very little info out there on the new rods, I was really unsure which model to get. After a lot of deliberation and mind-changing (sorry Carl) I finally settled on whatever was in stock. I ordered a blank, guides, Epic reel seat and pre-formed cork.

Carl sent a Nude 580, my first choice (at some stage, I'm sure) and as a really nice surprise, a full building kit, still in pre-production form. I was to be a Beta tester! Cool. The final boxing will be really nice too, this was just a mock-up.

When I got the package I was blown away. EVERYTHING you need is there! (Except the rod tube in my case, which wasn't ready when mine was sent, but photos of it will be coming soon). Not only did a I get the blank, guides, seat & grip, there was also a build kit with 5-minute, 15-minute and thread finishing epoxy, 3 spools of YLI Silk thread, brushes, burnishing tools, stirrers, toothpicks, mixing cups and step-by-step instructions.

A few pics from Brad.

BEFORE:

Here he is, hard at it

And here are the results, pretty damn terrific we reckon. Great job Brad!

The Epic Ready to wrap Rod Kit is due for release in September - make sure you have joined our VIP list for release dates and launch discounts