First build from Brad Harris!

Q: How to Choose the right fly line

Choose the right fly line for your fly rod by using this helpful guide https://www.epicflyrods.com/blogs/news/how-to-choose-the-right-fly-line-for-your-fly-rod

Q: Which fly reel is right for this fly rod?

Choose the right fly reel for your fly rod by using this helpful guide https://www.epicflyrods.com/blogs/news/how-to-choose-the-right-fly-line-for-your-fly-rod

Q: How do I choose the right fly rod?

Use this since fly rod guide here https://www.epicflyrods.com/en-nz/pages/the-epic-fly-rod-selector

Q: What are the correct fly line ratings?

Information on correct AFFTA fly line ratings. Weights in Grains and Grams https://swiftflyfishing.com/blogs/news/floating-fly-lines-vs-sinking-fly-lines-the-affta-system-for-rating-fly-line-weights

Carl McNeil on 08/10/2013

Custom Fiberglass Fly Rod build So, you want to build your own custom fly rod? See how Brad did it.

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!

Custom Fiberglass Fly Rod build

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

Tags: Custom Fly Rod Builders Epic Custom Builds Fiberglass Fly Rod Fly Rod Building

CUSTOMER FAVOURITES

GUIDES CHOICE

Backcountry Fly Tying Kit $199.00

Backcountry Fly Tying Kit Equally at home on a trip or on your fly tying bench, our Backcountry Fly Tying kit features the very best Italian made tools by Stonfo and a pair of remarkable hand crafted fly tying scissors by Renomed of Poland. There are no finer fly tying tools made. We've taken the best of the best and presented them in a thoughtful waxed cotton canvas tool roll featuring genuine leather trim and straps fastened with classic brass catches. The hand stitched waterproof tool roll houses & protects these high quality tools and features two additional pouches to tuck away fly tying materials and hooks. The Renomed "Fly Tier" scissors feature a 'super cut' finely serrated blade that makes cutting deer hair and fur a breeze, and the larger scissor handles afford comfort and extraordinary durability and functionality. Tool Collection Renomed Fly Tier Super Cut scissors (retail US$45) Stonfo Dubbing Twister Stonfo Hackle pliers Stonfo Elite Bodkin (Stainless Steel) Stonfo Dubbing Brush Stonfo Bobtec1 Adjustable Bobbin With Ceramic Insert (Stainless Steel) Stonfo Elite Bodkin (Stainless steel) Stonfo Elite Whip Finisher (Stainless Steel)

Backcountry Streamer Wallet $69.95

Back Country Streamer Wallet Carry and show off your streamers in style in our cotton canvas fly wallet Handcrafted and waterproof in waxed cotton Canvas, genuine sheepskin and hand tooled leather. Each wallet is hand cut and stitched from waxed cotton canvas and lined with lambswool. Measuring 12cm wide by 17 cm closed (4.5" x 7") Big enough to house and protect even the biggest lures and streamers. Streamer wallets have a few advantages over dropping your expensive streamers in a fly box. The open ended design and fine lambswool liner drys flies and lets them breath Flies are kept separated - No more tangled flies and hooks Easy to see and easy to grab - particularly if you have stinger hooks on your streamers They look sensational and big fish love them! Measuring 11cm wide by 17 cm long closed (4.5" x 7") Waterproof, small enough to fit in a wader pocket but capable of holding a large collection of flies

Skeleton Pocket Knife $49.95

Stainless Steel Skeleton Utility Knife Our paired back skeleton knife features a locking blade and belt clip. Easy to clean, and at just over 2 inches folded (55mm) and pocket knife size, it's the perfect everyday carry or the ideal addition to your fly fishing kit. Sheeps-foot Blade A sheepsfoot blade is shaped with one flat edge that meets the opposing edge at a curved tip; one edge is flat to the tip while the other edge runs parallel, curving at the sharp end to provide a curved tip. The dull flat edge is ideal for providing the user with lots of control over the blade and is favoured for whittling, trimming and cutting where a high degree of control is required. Blade material: 3CR13 s/s Handle material: 2cr13 Blade length: 55mm Blade thickness: 2.5MM Blade finished: steel Knife length: 140mm A great quality handy utility knife

Backcountry Travel Vise $69.95

Backcountry Travel Vice Equally at home on a trip or on your fly tying bench, our Backcountry vice is a robust, beautifully built, no-nonsense fly tying vice. Featuring hard steel jaws, quick lock cam and all packed away in a stylin' protective felt case made from recycled plastic bottles! Holds hooks from size 2 to 22 Hard steel jaws Quick-lock cam' operation Rotary head Fully adjustable Allen key Recycled PET felt carry pouch

Tippet Stroft Cutter and Carry System - Complete Set

Stroft Cutter and Carry System - 3 spool Set $27.95

3 Spool Stroft tippet system Three high quality German made Stroft Cutter & retaining rings - made to fit over standard Stroft tippet Spools. Spool Holder Stroft short strap - Vest strap & Carabiner The ideal system to hold, dispense and trim Stroft tippet A retainer rings and high quality cutter ring. Cutter is razor sharp, and coated in come magical stuff that is corrosion resistant. (We couldn't even spell the alloy) Fits all Stroft spools from 25m to 50m (ABR, GTM, FC!, FC2, Fluer) Includes color coded easy peel labels This is an incredibly well made tippet system! *does not include spools of tippet material - Stroft Tippet Spools available for purchase separately Got questions? - Drop us a line, we'd love to hear from you.

Good Libations Stainless Hip Flask $24.95

The Good Libations Stainless Steel Hip Flask Carry your favourite adult beverage in style with our Good Libations Stainless Steel Hip flask. About the size of a small fly box it's the perfect addition to your fly vest or bag. Smooth rounded corners make for quick extraction in times of celebration. Stainless steel and about as tough as they come, at a hearty 9oz ( 28 ml) there's plenty to share! Stainless Steel Silicon cap retainer Easy sippin' ergo design Bigger than most Cheers! Capacity: 9oz ( 266 ml) Dimensions: 127mm x 83mm x 29ml Material: Stainless Steel Positive Mood Adjustment