Cork length on small stream rods?

mcswny · Oct 5, 2023

I'm getting ready to build up my first rod. I've been wanting to get my friend a gift for taking care of me for a week straight in the hospital a few years ago and this is what I've landed on. He's moving out to Maine next year so I want to build him a little brookie rod so I'm going with a 7' 3wt. If the first pancake doesn't turn out great, I'll keep it and build another

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My question is for all of you out there that have small rods, what's your preferred handle length? I'm going to go with a preformed grip so it will either be 5.5", 6" or 6.5". I need to go downstairs and check, but I think my 7' 3wt Ijuin Yomogi has a 6.5" grip.

thanks!
tim

RCF · Oct 5, 2023

Might want to look at the size of his hands and select accordingly...

mcswny · Oct 5, 2023

RCF said:
Might want to look at the size of his hands and select accordingly...

Fair! Hard when you're trying to surprise someone, also when you have to order from online.

Mike Monsos · Oct 5, 2023

I pretty much stick with 6 1/2" grips and a 3 1/2' reel seat for a total of 10". I make 4 and 5 wt rods in the 7'-8'4" range. I do like the looks of 1/4" thick rings to make my own grips if you decide to go that way.

mcswny · Oct 5, 2023

Mike Monsos said:
I pretty much stick with 6 1/2" grips and a 3 1/2' reel seat for a total of 10". I make 4 and 5 wt rods in the 7'-8'4" range. I do like the looks of 1/4" thick rings to make my own grips if you decide to go that way.

thanks Mike!

Dragon Mo · Oct 6, 2023

The old Granger western grip on their bamboo rods was 6 ¾”. A 6’ Phillipson glass rod had a 5” grip while a 7 ½ footer had a 6” grip. A Larry Kenny 8’3” 5wt. glass rod has a 5 7/8” grip while a Scott G 906 and 907 have a 7 ½” grip.
Yeah, I know… TMI…
I’ve used the 5 7/8” grip length on the last glass rods I’ve built and 5 ½” on 3 wt. rods. This fits my hands, and I don’t need or want any more length than that.
I built a 6’6”’ 3wt Yomogi with a 5 ½” grip. The grip is not tapered and has an end diameter (front) of 0.890”. The rod is an absolute gas!
Agree on the ¼” rings.

Wetswinger · Oct 6, 2023

What shape grip do you all prefer for your shorter rods.? Seems like straight or cigar shapes, instead of half wells or fenwick are popular..

Bambooflyguy · Oct 6, 2023

I agree that hand size matters, but on shorter lightweight rods I scale things down. If you have a smooth transition between the grip and reelseat, it will lengthen the grip…..