The blank I chose to use was a CTS blank, from New Zealand. These blanks haven't become popular in the US yet, but their time is coming!I have fished with this model prior to building this one. I was very, VERY impressed with what I saw. It is by far the best rod for me, and my style of fishing. It's not for everyone though!

Components:
Blank:
CTS - FF1104-211' 0" 2pc.
Physical weight - 2.54 ounces (72.0 grams)
Retail cost $168Custom colors are available at an additional charge; per CTS.

Guides:
Flexilite’s - Ti Chrome.
Total Weight - 5.8 grams.

Handle:
Natural cork, Laguna Cork, and Burnt Cork.
Reel seat insert is natural cork.
Total weight of handle - 3.05 ounces (86.7 grams)

The weight of the finished rod is 6.34 ounces!
Short of removing the reel seat hardware and switching over to a Tennessee-style handle (sliding rings)... this is about as light as as it gets. I have not fished with this particular rod yet, but I have been outside playing with it a bit. This is my first time using the Flexilite’s and I wanted to get a "feel" for them. So far, they feel the same as Fuji's guides that I have used on previous builds.

Soon, I will be starting on another CTS build, but this time it will be on a 13' 6" 3pc model (FF1363-3). I have not had the opportunity to play with one yet, but the feedback and personal opinions of friends and cohorts - I have very confident that it will mirror the performance of its little brother.

Here's a little something to look at:

Tight Lines!
Brian

Well underway...

Four of the builds that I have to do are underway, and I will be posting photo's of the finished rods soon.

At this time I am working on the following:

• St. Croix 2S116LM2 - Wild River - 11' 6" 2pc Float Rod for an angler from the Pittsburg area.


• St. Croix 3S80MLM2 - Avid - 8' 0" 2pc Med-Lite/Moderate.


• ATC F-908-4 - 9' 0" 4pc 8wt flot rod that is being cnverted to a Float Rod for small streams.


• American Tackle Matrix - 9' 0" 2pc 4wt. Fly Rod.

Here is a photo of me hard at work on the Wild River.

Paine Falls Centerpin

Paine Falls Centerpin (PFC) is a local company that is just getting started in the world of custom reel manufacturing. PFC was started in 2007 by Adam DeMarco of Leroy, Ohio. Adam was in the market for a centerpin reel and decided to make his own instead of shelling out the cash to buy one. It made perfect sense seeing how Adam has the experience to do so.

Adams' new found hobby has turned in to a full time operation. Adam is now making centerpin reels full time in his shop. Adam offers both custom work as well as standard production models. The reels that Adam produces are A++ quality and have a loyal following of customer already. To date Adam has produced apporoximately fourty (40) reels and overall the reception has been overwhelming.

At the current time all reels have Stainless Steel ABEC-5 bearings. The aluminum parts (Spool and backplate) are hand-turned from 6061-T6 aluminum. Custom options are available on any and all models.
If you're in the market for a Centerpin,whether custom or production run... checkout the Paine Falls website at http://www.painefallscenterpin.com or the blog at: http://www.painefallscenterpin.blogspot.com

Here is a slideshow with some of the reels that Paine Falls Centerpin has produced:

Recent Project & Fishing Friends!

I put together a short slide show of some of my recent work, and some of favorite fishing pictures. Please enjoy!