I am in the mix of getting my 6 wt Meridian repaired after my son’s Alaskan adventure with it.
I am down a light rod right now, and want to throw a new rod into the quiver.
I suddenly have a strong desire to own a 1 piece 6 wt.
It has been a while since I have built a rod, but I am leaning towards that.
What are some good options and reviews (good, bad, and ugly) around 1 piece 6 wts?
Hardy
Sawgrass
NFC
Would love to hear anything you think is valuable before I jump into this.
I have posted about Sawgrass before. I have a 1pc 11wt, excellent rod, no complaints.
Liked it so much had a heavy spinning rod made, it’s being shipped now.
Give Collins a call ((469) 233-2356)I just spoke to him the other day. Great guy. I asked about travel fly rods and he said they can do anything, but all the options are not on the website due to the cost of building such a website, just give him a call.
Tell him I sent ya.
Will do @Tarponhead
While I have this up, I did look at the NFC website and see they have 1 piece 6 wts on sale for $150 ish.
It looks like it is a moderate action… so that may be a bit slower than I like… but I may pick it up for future builds since that price is right.
I will call Collins this morning.
Anyone have any feedback on how a Sawgrass, NFC, and Hardy 1 piece compare?!?
Is the NFC like the cross current?
I built a 6wt PSI from NFC, it’s a really nice rod. I wouldn’t put much weight into them saying it’s moderate, it’s still fast just not as fast as a gamma beta.
Also the Labor Day sale just ended but if you wait for the next one the should discount them to 60-75 dollars. I just picked up a few more one pieces the other day. Also if you can swing it, get a couple. It’s the same shipping cost and I believe excise tax if you buy 1 or 5
Out of curiosity…. @Rich_N
What did they charge you to ship the blanks?
I priced out a 6 wt and it was $159 to the door- no shipping… just a $10 excise charge.
I just looked at most most recent purchase and it was free, not sure what the threshold is cause I’ve always order more than one rod. Can’t beat the one piece shipping price lol
I recently built a NFC 6wt Classic 4pc fast. It’s legit. Love it. Not sure if it’s offered in a one piece though. Price to the door was roughly about a $100. Blank was $50, shipping $30, $10 excise tax and then sales tax.
Recently ordered a 12wt one piece (psi) from them . $70 or so for the blank, free shipping, plus all the taxes, still came out to be a 100$ roughly.
@MikeCockman
I have a 1290-1PSI built a while ago. It’s a beast of a rod.
@VinnyL Good to hear. I’ll get it eventually I guess..
Estimated delivery time was 2 weeks. It’s been past that mark for a while now..lol.. I knew the deal going into it though, and I won’t “need” it til May/June anyhow.
Side note. I know this is a blondes vs brunettes type question, but how do you feel about about gore grips on these bigger rods? My current 12wt (china rod) has one and I’m a fan, and actually considering building this rod with one as well.
@MikeCockman
Mike
Not familiar with that material. I’ve used only cork, cork/Eva, cork/rubber, burl. Burl is a little harder than cork I think. Anyway I have Burl on my 12 as well others. Shoot me a picture of the gore. Might be having a senior moment 
Update:
So my itch is now full on.
I ordered a NFC F 690-1 C6O2 Air Carbon. Bought the components from Mudhole… but will see how much I like the components before wrapping it up.
I want at least one more (Probably a sawgrass to try them out).
Question for you wrappers….. I have always used Elmer’s glue mixed equally w water to make a thread sealer. I was going that route unless someone dissuades me.
I also ordered “Flex Coat” low build for the finish. I couldn’t find the old brand I preferred… so please tell me if there is something better.
I will probably do two coats of finish vs one heavy coat of high build.
@VinnyL my mistake. That was supposed to be Fore Grip.
@JaredD why a thread sealer? I’ve always just used a color protected thread and finished with epoxy. Never had any issues. I’ve used multiple brands all with fine results. I’m currently working on a bottle of D2.
Another side note. I broke my NFC 6wt yesterday, on a cast. Apparently the section worked loose and I didn’t notice and it snapped right at top of lower section. Called NFC and had a wonderful conversation with the guy about fishing, but unfortunately he was zero help with the warranty and directed me to the website.
It was been years since I built a rod (except the bamboo one at Oyster last year)…. But I have had numerous beautiful wraps all of a sudden run when the epoxy goes on.
I then started w the glue as a thread sealer.
Perhaps thread now does stay safe, butthesealer was my insurance against it bleeding.
So sorry to hear about your 6 wt. I feel that so much after my meridian failed… and I didn’t build that one.
Gotcha. I know on non protected thread a sealer is a must, but with the color protected stuff I just epoxy. Saves the extra step and time. I use the Prowrap and/or Fuji Nocp threads, and both have been great.
At the end of the day, do whatever you are comfortable with though.
It was extremely deflating when it snapped. Hopefully the warranty dept is faster than the shipping dept, otherwise my beloved 6wt will be down for months. Kinda regretting not building it on a solid blank.
The one piece I bought was free shipping.
Won’t be able to travel with it, but it will be a great skiff rod.
Yep. I got a 12wt one piece enroute that had free shipping. The 6wt was $30 cheaper but had $30 worth of shipping added on..lol..
When I use silk on bamboo rods I seal with several coats of Shelly Hanson Hard As Nails clear, cut with several drops of denatured alcohol. You want it thin to penetrate the thread wraps. Side note, white silk will go clear when finished with no color preserver and several thin, thin coats of epoxy. Looks awesome on blonde bamboo rods
I don’t have direct experience with it, but I would be a bit concerned that Elmer’s white (PVA) glue, if that is what you are using, is water soluble. It is covered with non-water soluble epoxy, but a non-water soluble sealer might be safer, just in case.
On the rods that I have built, I have not used sealer.
I just got the short Sawgrass 1-pc 6wt for my B-Day from my wife and like it a lot. I’ve been very limited recently in fishing, but I definitely think it is a winner.
