Epic Bandit rod kit build

 Thanks again to all who attended last Friday's live stream on YouTube and all the other that couldn't make it, but watched it later. I also want to thank all the generous donations, much ,much appreciated guys!

So, many came to the stream to have a look at this fiberglass rod. Some already fish glass, but many were just glass curious and wanted to know why i use these rods. The Bandit is my rod of choice for pike for so many reasons. I fished the Bandit for a long time now, my first one was the original three piece rod, and it landed me so many fish, in both fresh and salt water.

First thing i want to point is that i am not pushing a product or a brand. Yes i am now part of the Epic Team but i was using their rods long before i was asked to join the crew,  and i am honored to be included with so many big names in the game! 

https://swiftflyfishing.com/pages/epic-people

I am proud to represent this brand, because i use their rods day in and day out  and now i can't really see myself going back to carbon, graphite or anything  other than fiberglass.

I try to explain as much as possible why the Bandit  is my favorite rod for pike in this stream.

And as a bonus, you can build your own rod with the Epic rod kits, fiber glass has a soul and if you build it yourself, you will (as weird these words can be) feel a real connection with this rod. It's much  more than a new yearly model that will be forgotten next year because a new model has arrived on the market...This will be your lifetime companion! Fiberglass rods are so resilient they will outlast you!

If you're not sure about building one yourself, you can always opt for the studio build rods.

If you consider getting a kit please follow this link or click on the Epic banner on the left collomn of the blog.You will not pay a penny extra, but i will get a small commision.And other way to help the blog and YouTube channel ☞☞☞   Epic rods

 Many have asked for an other stream to follow the built, so i will make have other live stream tomorrow (Tuesday the 2dn February) at 7 pm GMT on YouTube. And probably an other one to finish and show the finished product.If you cannot make it, don't worry these streams are available to watch when you want as they are saved on my channel.

As everything in this world, i need to make a disclaimer...

Fiber glass need a LITTLE adjustment in your style of casting, and therefore some people will not enjoy it . I didn't say they are the best rods in the world, but they are the best for me, they just suit my style and i love it!  Choice of rods is a very personal affair, but so many of my friends and clients have stepped on the glass side and all are still rocking their glass to this day...

Chris with a lovely hen in a sunny may

Don't be fooled...Glass can cast, far and accurate.

Epic 888 on a fabulous run on an Irish wild river.

Dom with a huge 115cm from a float tube on the Bandit!

Last a little word on how your donations help support the channel, the money doesn't really buy me beers, but help with streaming subscription, copyright free music, filming gear (batteries, light, accessories...) So thank you again, i am always aiming at bringing you informative or entertaining videos so if you have subjects you need me to look at or more fishing videos (coming this spring) don't be shy to contact me via MAIL or social media. 

Unboxing of an Epic kit:

 Reel seat handle:

 

Spining the rod and marking:

 

Wraps and finish:

And a quick look at a studio build rod from Swift (Boca Grande 12 weight)

 

 PEACE AND KEEP SAFE.

 

 

Rod building Part 4 , wrapping and finishing.

The final part in this series, i tried to keep it as simple as possible. If any doubt with your built,always check the manual that comes with the kit, its very detailed and should clear any questions.Alternatively you can always send a mail to the Epic crew, i'm sure they will assist you in any way they can.
My tips for building your rod...Read the manual, take your time, if it doesn't look good  you can always do the wraps again. Make sure everything is correct before you start the epoxy! Once you apply the epoxy on the wraps, its too late to go back...Well you can , but it's adding extra headaches that you don't really need at this point.
Your build is your build, even with little imperfections (mostly them damned bubbles in the epoxy) it will not change the performance of the rod.So don't be afraid and take the jump! Build your own rod!
I was once told there is three important moments in your fly fishing career, the first fish you catch on a fly rod, the first fish you catch with  a fly that you tied, and the first fish you catch with a rod that you built...
  

Rod building part 3.

How to spine your blank and place your rings.

A little update...

Since my return from Alaska, i have kept the blog on the quiet side.... The pike season is back on here, i have been doing some river guiding in August and September, and now we are well into October and the lodge is running at full steam.Its a strange and difficult season, mostly due to the very dry summer we had.The water levels are still very low, we need them to rise to their winter levels soon for the fishing to improve drastically.
But i am very proud to share some good news, after my return from the Innoko, i was contacted by Carl McNeil,  CEO of Swift Flyfishing all the way from New Zealand. Swift fly fishing make my absolute favorite rods.I have been fishing glass rods for the last five years, and i simply cannot go back to graphite/ carbon rods. So it was a huge surprise to me when Carl sent me a message wanting to welcome me to their brand ambassador program. Of course without any hesitation i gladly accepted. So yes you guessed it, you are going to see a lot more fiberglass on this blog!
To start off, i just received an 8 weight kit and i am starting to put it together at the moment. I am filming the whole process for those who want to plunge in the deep end and make the move to glass rods and rod building.
First a little unboxing video:


 And how to fit the reel seat and handle:

The Bandit rod still slaying fish!

The T-bone...T-boned...

I love October!