Re: McFarland 8'3" Seven Weight and a "Secret" Prototype

feeds@yuku.com (cross creek one) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:42:21 GMT

That's one for Mike to answer. I suspect he could design them to have exactly the same action. My unsanded McFarland rod is a 7ft 2wt and my painted one is a 7ft3in 4wt, so I can't compare them. One thing to consider, if you're "green" minded, is that unsanded blanks reduce the amount of pollutants released and disposed of, versus sanded/painted ones, and reduce toxic exposure to the maker. To me, it's a more "Zen" approach, but I regularly fish both...

Re: McFarland 8'3" Seven Weight and a "Secret" Prototype

feeds@yuku.com (docbluedevil) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:55:27 GMT

I have a feeling that McFarland's rods with unsanded yellow blanks will eventually outsell his brown blanks. They sure are easy on the eyes!

Don't know if this question has been addressed before, but do the unsanded yellow blanks otherwise have similar actions as his brown ones?

Re: McFarland 8'3" Seven Weight and a "Secret" Prototype

feeds@yuku.com (nussrods) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:51:41 GMT

Wow, Mike, exquisite rods, who needs a new computer........

Re: McFarland 8'3" Seven Weight and a "Secret" Prototype

feeds@yuku.com (Spencer DT) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:43:26 GMT

The McFarland 7 weight is the perfect tool if your chasing big trout. Mine served up some huge streamers with authority, managed to lay down softly with a hex dry on and bent into a classic fiberglass shape with a big brown trout on. I recommend this rod highly. As much as I want to baby this rod it is going to be fishing tool for me first and foremost and I vote this rod most likely to wear the guides and cork out based on usage if I look at all my rods. Bass, Steelhead, night fishing...

Re: McFarland 8'3" Seven Weight and a "Secret" Prototype

feeds@yuku.com (Cameron) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:26:16 GMT

Fellows...I played with the seven weight on the upper Manistee River fishing the Hex and I'll say that I like this rod very much. Spencer DT had just gotten his as well right before the trip so we were both repping our McFarland's.

At first I wasn't sure if I wanted to fish for trout on a seven weight but fishing in the dark, casting big flies, and then fighting big fish told me that it was a great choice. The rod performed flawlessly.

Re: McFarland 8'3" Seven Weight and a "Secret" Prototype

feeds@yuku.com (nativebrownie) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:53:50 GMT

Mike, very beautiful - utterly wonderful planning and craft... Nice to be on the edge of things...

NB

Re: McFarland 8'3" Seven Weight and a "Secret" Prototype

feeds@yuku.com (flyfishing4goldentrout) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 22:12:02 GMT

Thats some great looking rods, I hope Mike is gonna make the blanks available I would love one of the 2wts, your a lucky man CC.
Richard

Re: McFarland 8'3" Seven Weight and a "Secret" Prototype

feeds@yuku.com (cross creek one) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:14:12 GMT

I got the two weight (the one on top in the first photo). I was planning to post a review when I had a few more hours on it, but what the heck. So far, I can say I'm very impressed. As Mike said, the rod is soft--feels quite noodly when you flex it without line, more suited to a 1wt line, or even lighter--don't go by first impressions. While full-flexing, it's still got reserve power down low and will handle a bit of wind if need be. It will cast 1-3wt without complaint or...

Re: McFarland 8'3" Seven Weight and a "Secret" Prototype

feeds@yuku.com (jkurtz7) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:21:12 GMT

Mike, I'm liking that 2wt, we need more UL glass.

J.

Re: McFarland 8'3" Seven Weight and a "Secret" Prototype

feeds@yuku.com (JASTrout) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:38:10 GMT

Thank goodness my wife does not read this site, as I am picking up one of Mike's graphite Emerger series 9' 5 wght for some bigger waters and double nymphs and he said that he had a few things to look at: Classic understatement, Steve and Barry race you to place an order?

Re: McFarland 8'3" Seven Weight and a "Secret" Prototype

feeds@yuku.com (cross creek one) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 10:20:30 GMT

I claimed the 2wt--hoping it will arrive before my July 4th weekend brookie trip. I guess the Norie will have to wait a while. I have a 7'3" 4wt that Mike built and it's a dream. When that model becomes available in the yellow unsanded, I'll have to get one, I'm sure.
-CC

Re: McFarland 8'3" Seven Weight and a "Secret" Prototype

feeds@yuku.com (scud dog) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:17:18 GMT

BRAVO! Those rods look great Mike. Allowing your customers to choose between three real seat colors will be really nice. I also like how the rods look with no winding checks, though I've caught myself wondering how a brass one would look. As far as tipping goes...I like the way the 2wt. looks best.
PS: I've been fishing my new rod a lot. I'm really pleased with it. I think Cameron's new 7wt. looks really great.

Re: McFarland 8'3" Seven Weight and a "Secret" Prototype

feeds@yuku.com (hookjaw23) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:57:41 GMT

Mike,

I gotta say... some of the finest looking rods i've ever laid eyes on... the yellow glass is to die for. perfect cosmetics, attention to detail, etc... fantastic job.

Re: McFarland 8'3" Seven Weight and a "Secret" Prototype

feeds@yuku.com (SAltsh) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:49:54 GMT

Damn you Mike McFarland - those yellow blanks are such beautiful builds it's going to be awful tough to not order one - can't decide between the 7' 3 or 4 wts. - hmmmm...may have to discuss the design of a 7'3" 4 wt. .... or maybe just the 7' 4 wt., but the 3 wt. sounds so nice...oh gosh. damn you Mike McFarland.
Really beautiful blanks Mike - hope I'll get to cast them in August in PA.
Regards, Steve

Re: McFarland 8'3" Seven Weight and a "Secret" Prototype

feeds@yuku.com (pemmel) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:51:16 GMT

I was saving my pennies to buy a McFarland blank. Now I may have to wait until Mike starts selling the unsanded blanks. I really like the look of unsanded blanks, like Mark Steffen's blanks. To add a McFarland unsanded would be icing on the cake. Mike, how soon and how much? I am thinking I may need to have a 7', 3 weight .

Pete

Re: McFarland 8'3" Seven Weight and a "Secret" Prototype

feeds@yuku.com (Darrin Terry) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:24:16 GMT

Beautiful rods. One day, hopefully this year, I will order a McFarland rod. Beautiful rods, again. Cameron, let me know when you're done 'demo-ing' that rod. I'll get you my address so you can send it on.

Re: McFarland 8'3" Seven Weight and a "Secret" Prototype

feeds@yuku.com (mtm905) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:44:22 GMT

Working with the vintage Scott blanks got me thinking a little about yellow glass. I decided to do a few prototypes and here are the results:

I did four rods, all 7 footers, in line weights 2 through 5. The two weight is on top and is the first 2 wt I have ever offered. I will post more on this rod later. This rod has dark Snake Brand guides and clear wraps...

Re: McFarland 8'3" Seven Weight and a "Secret" Prototype

feeds@yuku.com (rvreclus) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:35:02 GMT

Cameron,
I really like your new toys. Both rods are in weights and sizes I really like, the 7wt has me drooling. Give us a report when you can.

Mike,
Beautiful rods. Your 8'3" - 7wt is a rod that has my eye, I really like my 8.5 7wt rod for general trout fishing and the 7' 5wt is stunning.

Respectfully rvreclus

Re: McFarland 8'3" Seven Weight and a "Secret" Prototype

feeds@yuku.com (mtm905) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:55:20 GMT

Thanks for the positive comments. These are not the vintage Scott blanks. They are my own blanks done in unsanded yellow glass. I really like how they turned out. I will post some more pics soon.

Re: McFarland 8'3" Seven Weight and a "Secret" Prototype

feeds@yuku.com (CreationBear) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:16:11 GMT

You know how I feel about "yaller" rods but with that unsanded butterscotch blank it's as pretty as the Wojnicki Kinzua was kind enough to let me handle at Mike's gathering last summer. (Hopefully Mike's foray into cane rods won't make his glass offerings come with a similar "opportunity cost" surcharge...)...

McFarland 8'3" Seven Weight and a "Secret" Prototype

feeds@yuku.com (Cameron) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:37:24 GMT

OK...these are not the greatest photographs of two McFarland builds that arrived today but wanted to post a few in case I didn't have a chance to take any photographs tonight while we are packing for our trip to Michigan.

A few of you know that I've been eagerly awaiting a McFarland 8'3" three piece seven weight build for some time. I talked to Mike yesterday and he said he was overnight shipping the rod so that it would be here in time for our trip to Michigan....