Wow!

There is no other reaction to being presented with a kit-build fly rod as a gift.  It certainly put a shine on the otherwise unsettling nature of having one of those big-number birthdays.

Over a year on, and I’ve finally put the finishing touches on my new fishing stick. (I’d earmarked it as a winter project, hence the long gestation.)

So, what was it like? Is it worth doing? Is it difficult? Is the rod any good? Lean in and I’ll give you my view…

Unfounded Anxieties

Dropping a decent amount of gift cash on a ‘some assembly required’ item did cause some trepidation.  I started having daydreams (daymares?) of destroying the build – like permanently gluing something in the wrong place.  I needn’t have worried, and though I continued to be careful, my confidence grew as the build progressed.

One of the first challenges was figuring out how I was going to turn the blanks* while the thread resin cured. Epic sells a rod drying motor, but I decided I’d rather spend the extra on a new matching fly line rather than one-time-use equipment. 

*Before this process, I didn’t even know that a ‘blank’ was simply the bare rod sections before adding functional elements like grips and guides. Understanding rod anatomy was a bonus outcome of the build experience.

A ‘Revolutionary’ Solution

The internet presented all sorts of solutions for a DIY dryer/turner, with one keen soul commandeering the pasta attachment on a food mixer, and several others ripping carousel motors out of defunct microwaves. Not keen on electrical work, or taking over the kitchen, I settled on a ready-made solution – Lego!  Google came to the rescue again to gear the Lego motor down to the desired speed. Add a slice of cheap pool noodle foam as a support and we were ready to go at a steady 6RPM. Reversible too.

Now that I was prepared for the steps at the end, I returned to the start the build instructions booklet.  For me, the very first step was also the most unnerving, involving measuring, marking and fixing the grip and reel seat assembly.  All the big bits, and without an undo button! The two-pot grip epoxy adhesive looked like pretty messy and unforgiving but any anxiety was again unfounded.

Practice (and Patience) makes Perfect

The instructions suggested practicing wrapping the guides before starting. The reality is that I got plenty of practice along the way as threads unraveled, were uneven, overlapped or some other glitch. For a start I started even mistakenly started using white wraps before switching to black. A rod has 25 or so wraps.  I reckon I had just as many failures (let’s call them practices).  But this is a forgiving process and it is super-easy at this point to slice them off and start afresh.

After all the preparation, applying epoxy to the guides was easy, and you get a chance to shave off any minor thread defects (“fuzzies”) once the first coat sets. I was astounded at how good the second coat looked. Just like a bought one!

So, does it work?

I had lined up a Sunday mission on a small local river a week in advance. Running through a valley to the sea, it has a reputation as a wind tunnel, but the forecast southerly wasn’t going to stop me – I’d waited a year already!

I’ll get straight to the point – this is the best rod I’ve ever used.  Sure, so far I’d eased into fly fishing with mid-range rods, but this was an unexpectedly significant step up.  The combination of 5 weight Epic rod, Lamson Liquid reel and fresh Airflo Superflo Bandit line was accurate and fast to cast between gusts of wind.

The first fish was small, but it was great to be “on the board”.  The next was a larger brown – a beauty. The biggest compliment I can give the rod is that I didn’t notice it.  Everything felt natural so I could focus on the short fight. A couple more to the net confirmed that this rod will be first choice for most future missions.

Do I recommend you do it?

I certainly feel more ownership of this rod. It has sweat, if not the blood and tears. (Though there were a few expletives as I learned the ropes and made silly mistakes.)

I found the build both fulfilling and frightening – apprehensive of making a critical mistake at every step.  But the kit and its instructions are comprehensive.  The folks at Epic know what they’re doing and plenty of others have succeeded before you. There is also the backup of excellent online videos and a dedicated Facebook page of fellow builders – a community you can become part of.

It really is Epic; so go on then – give it a crack!