L.Kenney 7'10" 5/6wt., Abel TR 2, and Hatch Finatic 3 plus

[Colt Johnson]

I decided to show off the new Finatic 3 plus I received in a drawing on the dry fly forum: http://dryflyforum.com/. The reel is pretty awesome, especially since I didn't have to pay for it. Just before the drawing I had been looking for a reel to pair with a couple 5/6wt. glass rods coming down the pipe (Morgan 7'6" 5wt., Steffen 8'0" 5/6wt. and a Kenney 7'10" 5/6wt). Having really liked the Abel TR3's proportions on a few similar sized rods, I was looking for something around 3.25" and around 4.5-5.0 ounces.

 

I picked up a TR2 for a good price. It holds a 5wt. line really nicely, and I suspect it will be paired with the Morgan 7'6" 5wt. But I found that a 6wt. line was pushing it. The TR2 is just under my desired specs. Then came the Finatic 3 plus. The reel is advertised as more of a 4wt. reel, but I was able to fit a 100' Rio Smallmouth 6wt. line with a couple dozen yards of backing. It is exactly 3.25" in diameter and 4.8 oz.

 

For the fishing I typically do, backing is simply an arbor builder. Since the fanatic already has a large arbor, the 20ish yards of backing will be plenty...especially with 100' of fly line.

The first of my 5/6wt. rods to be finished I built myself. It is a L.Kenney 7'10" 3pc. 5/6wt. The rod feels amazing....and I've heard good things. For this one, I used a dark nickel Lemke LC16 seat with a black ash burl mortised insert. The guides are light wire TiCH coated snakes and the stripper is an REC black pearl recoil #10. YLI 100wt. thread and flor grade cork grip.

 

I am really excited to try this puppy out. And I may just have an opportunity this weekend (pt.2)....headed to the in laws on the Fox River.

 

Colt

[John Gillio]

Sharp looking setup.

[Ryan Kral]

Hey colt, do you fish at all, or just buy and sell fly gear?! I'm just kidding, just seems like you always have something going! Always gorgeous stuff though, I'm just jealous! Ryan

[Colt Johnson]

Ryan,

 

Thanks. I sure wish I could fish more. Time is limited with 1 and 4 year olds. But I live on two lakes which gives me an edge. I do a lot of bluegill and largemouth fishing on our lakes. I only get out for smallies about once a month. I also really enjoy building rods and experimenting with different tapers and materials. The last couple years it has been mostly fiberglass stuff.

 

I love small, intimate water the most. You can't beat an 8' 5/6wt glass rod for smaller water smallies. And bumping down to 3wt glass rod is always exciting.

 

Colt