Stripping Streamers 12/8

[MikeH]

I just finished building a new rod last week so it was time to hit the river.  I tossed big articulated streamers all day long.  Didn't catch anything huge but I did manage one brown around twenty inches and three others in the middle teens.  Strangely I also caught about a dozen stocker size rainbows.  Wasn't expecting to catch many of them throwing five inch long flies.  The new rod, an Epic 686, was great.  I was especially happy with the grip I turned on it.  I turned it a little chubbier than most grips and it was really comfortable to fish.  I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking.

Decisions, decisions

First fish on the new rod

First twenty incher on the new rod

What it ate

The new rod

 

[DaddyO]

Catching fish on flies that you tied cast from a rod that you built.  Priceless!

 

[jtram]

Nice, how about a few more rod pics! I am wanting to build on an Epic blank very badly.

[MikeH]

This is my second Epic.  I built an 888 over the summer.  Here's some more pics of the rod.  I did Snake Brand guides and tip top.  The reel seat is Snake Brand also with a spalted maple insert.  I wrapped it up with clear main wraps and red tipping.  I put the red on the inside edges instead of the outer.  With the clear main wraps it almost looks like only the red is holding the guides on.  The stripping guide is a red agate to match the red trim.  I also turned the grip and fighting butt myself from rings.  I capped the fighting butt with red EVA foam to also match the red trim.

 

[jtram]

Gorgeous rod, i love the clear wraps!

[Flysmallie]

Nice rod. I'm usually not a fan of clear wraps but I like those. Seems like the 686 is doing a good job with the bigger flies. I've been looking and dreaming but I have too many projects to start a new one.

It is surprising what a small trout will eat.

 

[Gavin]

Looks like fun, and a nice job on that rod. 

[jackdizo]

beautiful rod. I really like the clear wraps with the red. also like the fighting butt. great fish, looks like all the hard work on the rod and flies paid off!

[jgentile]

Very nice!!!  I am considering a 686 as well.  I usually grab my Steffen 8'6 7/8wt.  The Epic 686 might be as close to an all around upper Current glass stick as they come.

[Lancer09]

Digging those fatter grips! I hate when a grip feels to thin for me.