Epic Fiberglass fly rod blank review from Peter Emmel of Renaissance Rods USA

Carl McNeil on

Custom Fiberglass Fly Rod blank"Why does “Renaissance Rods” opt to build on “Epic” glass? Four words: Selection, Strength, Accuracy & Quality.

When I was first approached by Carl about trying the new “Epic” fiberglass blanks, I was skeptical. Why would Carl want a small shop like mine to try out their blanks? After looking at their web site and exchanging several e-mails, I jumped at the opportunity to give them a go. Haven’t looked back since.

A few very generous words from our buddy & Epic Fly Rod builder Pete Emmel of Renaissance Rods, USA

Thank you for the kind words Pete!

 

"Why does “Renaissance Rods” opt to build on “Epic” glass? Four words: Selection, Strength, Accuracy & Quality.

When I was first approached by Carl about trying the new “Epic” fiberglass blanks, I was skeptical. Why would Carl want a small shop like mine to try out their blanks? After looking at their web site and exchanging several e-mails, I jumped at the opportunity to give them a go. Haven’t looked back since.

They are everything you would ever want in a blank…. graphite or fiberglass. The first blank I built on showed me everything I needed to know. It was faster than any other fiberglass I have tried, without sacrificing the soul one feels with fiberglass or bamboo. Yes, I mentioned soul. Like bamboo, each “Epic” has developed its own character or as I call it soul. Cast one, you’ll see what I mean. Plus the rods are dead on accurate. I can hit where I aim and I am by no means a top shelf caster.

Quality shows throughout every inch of the blank. Not to mention that the line rating is of the blank is dead on, in my opinion. And being fiberglass you know it is durable and can handle the minor bumps and bruises that can eventually cause the downfall of high modulus graphite blanks. When building custom rods, reputation is everything. If you recommend a blank and it fails to live up to the customer’s expectations your creditability suffers. Doesn’t appear I will ever have to worry about that with the “Epic” line of blanks. Did I mention selection?

Finally here is a line of blanks with an ever growing selection of colors and sizes. Usually you are stuck with whatever color (that’s right color as in singular) the manufacturer supplies. A single color makes it a bit hard to build a truly “custom rod”. Epic is up to six colors and counting.

Thank you to Carl, Jeanie, and the entire Swift Fly Fishing team for delivering a truly unique line of “Epic” fiberglass. Can’t wait to see what other innovations you come up with.

Pete Emmel

Renaissance Rods, USA"

 

Talk to Peter about an Epic build!

 

 

Tags: Custom Fly Rod Builders Epic Custom Builds Epic Review Fiberglass Fly Rod Fly Rod Building
CUSTOMER FAVOURITES

GUIDES CHOICE

Fly Tying Tool Kit by Epic Fly Tying Tool Kit by Epic
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)
Streamer wallet fly wallet Streamer wallet fly wallet
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 Skeleton Pocket Knife
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
Fly Tying Vice Travel Fly Tying Vice
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
Stroft Tippet carry system 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.
Stainless steel Hip Flask Hip Flask
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
Show more

The Epic Fly Rod Chooser

Find your perfect fly rod with our 10 second quizz

TAKE THE TEST

Epic People On Instagram

Tag @epicflyrods to be featured
#epicflyrods #epicpeople

Love It or Return It

100% total satisfaction guarantee

5 Star Support

Industry leading support and service

Easy Returns

Hassle free returns

World Wide Shipping

Shipping worldwide daily
Experience the Epic® difference.

Say goodbye to stiff lifeless fly rods, say hello to Epic®

© 2022Epic Fly Rods. All Content Copyright | FastGlass® Epic® Studio Built™ SureFit™ NanoTech™ Ready to Wrap™ Glassline™