Gusa As70m

[Mark Fisher]

A couple of photos of the newest rod built for a customer in Sydney. The blank is a top of the line GUSA advantage AS70M 2-4kg for soft plastics etc. These blanks are really something else, expensive but well worth the additional cost for something so sensitive. The grips were the first I've done in this style. The tiger wrap in the butt section really set it off well. The seat is a C-blue Matagi which looks like saphire blue in the sunlight. The butt wrap caused some problems

[RFARREN]

nice work mate
but whats the point of a foregrip that is so small ?

[Mark Fisher]

When was the last time you were buckled over at the knees by a Bream or a Flathead? Where is your hand positioned? Usually around the reel leg or very close to it and your other hand is on the reel handle. When was the last time you had to place your hand right up high on a fore grip to handle a Bream, flathead or Perch. Remember you are fishing with 2-4kg not 24kg. This is finesse fishing not requiring maximum strength.

Think of this, "When was the last time you used 2-4kg and actually used the front grip which, I have no doubt, was probably way too long to preserve the action of the blank?" This blank is all about "feel" and feather lightness.

Regards
Mark

[Owen]

Nice job Mark.
Thos colours work well.

[bluefin59]

Beautiful work on a great blank ,i have 2 of these a 70m i use for plastic fishing off the cape and 70lxf which i used for the first time today in the bay to which i will add i wont be useing the droppie or the t curve again after useing these rods the lightness and the feel through the blank is unbelievable ,great work i must say ..matt

[jan]

Sweet job Mark. Looks like the whole thing matches well. Agree about the fore and rear grips. why have a long one when its not needed. I've done one of these rods recently where we put a metal winding check on the end of the reel seat as the bloke didn't even want a fore grip. I know they do that a lot over in the states but it might catch on here one day :) .
Cheers, Jan.

[Mark Fisher]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Jan, your right about that front grip with very light rods. Do we really need it at all? It's a personal choice and one I'm sure a lot of people will think about. As the blank and line weights go up, so needs the length of the front grip to provide leverage. By the way mate, those rods you have been doing lately have been turning out "stunners" with the Matagi fittings and your thread work. Very nice work.

Regards
Mark

[sandyd]

Great Job Mark, done well on the checker grip for a first and the rest just ties in nicely and your customer must be really pleased.

Is there anything you can tell me about doing inlays to hopefully prevent disasters.

[dkposswah]

where do you get the checker grips? or do you cut and glue them yourself? rod looks great btw!!

[Mark Fisher]

Sandy and DK,

Each of the colours is cut using a jig from Custom Tackle in the USA. Each piece, approx 1/2" long, is then individually glued individually to another of a different colour but in order. When you have at least 3or 4 1/2" rings made up, put them on a lathe and then cut the individual rings. Each sould be a 1/8" thick. When you start putting them together, each colour on the ring should be rotated to approximately half the length of the identical colour. It sounds a little confusing but when you look at the photo it becomes clearer.

I glue all of mine with Selly's Quick grip. Make sure your join is tight and cover each piece thoroughly. Same goes with any inlay you choose. Also, make sure it is touch dry before you put them together otherwise they can come apart.

When the pieces are all glued back together, they are put on a lathe and then turned. I use a medium grade sand paper and move down to a finer grade to finish. That's all there is to it. It does take some time do but if you can't fish you may as well make rods!

Best Regards
Mark

[txlady]

Very Nice Mark !!!!...:)




MaryLou

[Mark Fisher]

G'day Mary Lou,

Nice to hear from you. Thanks for your comments. I hope those Rattlers are behaving themselves.

Mark

[txlady]

G'day to you Mark...
All my rattlers are safe and snug in my freezer, and behaving themselves.......I have more rattlesnakes in my freezer than food !!;D
I am planning on my first rattlesnake hunt this spring, so I have to have a pair of leather chaps made, because of the striking distance of a rattler !!
At present, I am working on a rod for myself, using Eastern Diamondback skin , on a St.Croix Legend Elite rodblank.....Woo-Hoo !!
Oh yes !! Along with a matching pair of rattlesnake earrings !! The lady that ordered the Carp Earrings, along with the custom carp rod,...has started a new trend !!;D

Take Care...
Mary Lou

[finga]

I just had a bit of a gander at Mary Lou's site that's mentioned above and was amased.
I would never had thought to do some of the stuff shown there.
I'm going to have to get me some Cane Toad skins :D
Thanks Mary Lou :thumbsup:

PS how do you preserve the skins once on??

[txlady]

I just had a bit of a gander at Mary Lou's site that's mentioned above and was amased.
I would never had thought to do some of the stuff shown there.
I'm going to have to get me some Cane Toad skins :D
Thanks Mary Lou :thumbsup:

PS how do you preserve the skins once on??

Finga....
Once you have the skin glued on the handle, I spray it with a coat of clear lacquer....then add one..or two coats of FlexCoat....depends how rough the skin is...some require more...each skin is individual....that's why I like working with them, each one is very unique !!

Thanks for the compliments !!..:)
MaryLou