Meiser 1507S Spey Rod

I found and bought an old Meiser 1507S blank, and though this series of blanks has been discontinued, I have and still like (very much) how they cast and fish. My first Meiser S, a 1264S for trout, remains a goto.

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I found this rod to be flexible and forgiving, so my choices of reels and lines include:

• for dry-line and top-water with mono-filament leaders: Henshaw Platewind Reel at 13 ounces with a Bridge Tributary 78 44′ at 575 grains
• for winter and using tips: Nautilus 12S with the NextCast Stealhead Finder 89 30′ at 550 grains + RIO Replacement tips.
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• for fine and long, the Nautilus 12S with RIO Spey Long 78 64′ at 620 grains

Depending on the river and mood, I will pick the line I want.

This is my second long rod that I have built, and the differences from the previous build, a Quantum 16’7″ 7wt:

• Butt: I do like a “large” round half ball butt, but the transition is less extreme. One reason for this was practical, as the black rubberized cork was not behaving well as I shaped it – irrespective of what technique or tool I was using. I have since marked the few black discs that I have left as “use only if need is an absolute”.
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  If this finishing issue did not exist, I would have a sharper radius going into the butt, maybe a little less aggressive than the Quantum though.
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• Reel Seat: From Snake Brand, but I turned my own insert from a double dyed resign wood block that I bought from the Ukraine (via Etsy) and finished with Super Cyanoacrylate.
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• I have also added a little more colour with the thread wraps, but not shown.
  • Dark saturated blue on the Guides
  • At the ferrules, Graphite Grey with blue trim (dark and light blue)
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    In future, I will to return to adding colour trim on the guides.
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• Guides are Snake Brand (older Black Series) and Fuji Guides for the Stripper.

And what did I continue with:

• The other handle transition in-out of the reels seat is continuous, to allow the hand to easily slide against the reel.
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• The swell at the top of the rod is small. Allowing my hand to slide over, but also provide some feedback I am at the top end.
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• Small-short rear handle, to help with using lighter reels to achieve a balance point on the top cork.
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• Ends have rubberized cork for improve wear.
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• Use quality natural cork in the top 2/3 of the upper handle, with the remainder being a burl cork.
  • And though both corks are finely finished, with wet hands I notice a difference, and prefer the natural cork,
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• Thread:
  • Main Colour on Guides, and Trim Colour on Ferrules: ProWrap ColourFast 455 Blue Size A
  • Main Colour on Ferrules: Prowrap Graphite Grey 841Size A
  • Trim Colour: ProWrap Colour Fast 404 Size A.

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Will I build another spey rod?

Well I have several really nice 7wt and 8wts – enabling winter-fishing, travel and long line – from Meiser, Burkheimer and Bruce-and-Walker, so the right answer is no.

I want to finish up a variant update on a James Green 10′ 5wt, but I think my time should start looking to another task, is est return to bamboo trout rods.

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	B 7134	M136-6CX	M1507S	Q167	BW136-6	BW166
OEM	Burkheimer	Meiser	Meiser	Godshall	B & Walker	B & Walker
Model	7134-4	13668CX-6	1507S-4	Quantum	Walker 8wt	Walker 8wt
Role	Winter	Travel	Universal	Far & Fine	Salmon	Salmon
Grain Min	420	450	450			
Grain Max	570	750	750			
Reel	Nautilus 12S . .	Nautilus 12S Henshaw .	Henshaw Nautilus 12S Nautilus 12S	Nautilus 12S . ,	Stewart 300 . .	Saracione . .
Default Line	Ga ESH 8	NC STF 89	Tributary 78	RIO Long 78	Wintertide	Boss 89
Weight	37′ 462g	29′ 550g	44′ 575g	65′ 660g	32′ 550g	65′ 740g
Tippet	Polyleader	7 15′ 95g	Mono	Mono	7 15′ 95g	Mono

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🙂

the Pink Shrimp

This fly was highly influence by flyfishingbyrobert’s Leo Goldie and you can find tying instructions at his Youtube channel.

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Second and third attempt to reduce the impact of compression with importing into WordPress, to improve the fly image, and frankly the results are so-so.

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Now lets detail some side projects that resulted from this fly.

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WordPress JPG Compression

I found in the past few years, the standard version of WordPress continues to change and options for images has contracted. One of these changes (I suspect) is the JPG compression-importation and the impact to the image. I have experimented with setting and adjustments in Lightroom, but the end product in WordPress is muddy. Yes, this conclusion is based on imported them direct to other browsers (Edge, Chrome and Firefox) and used Apple and Windows OS, but always the muddiest image are those in WordPress.

These blogs are for me, and I am not trying to make a living from this, so recognizing this and I have not found a “quick” fix to WordPress’s import Image limits, so I a have come to the point “it is, what it is”.

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Eyes

I like making my monofolimat eyes, for in general, I would argue my bead seed eyes are better than the commercial variety.

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But the commercial eyes – Easy Shrimp Eyes – are a really nice hot pink. As such, I have done some experiments trying to improve my pink eyes.

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A quick shot of the tests, with my colour choices-preferences identified.

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Experiment One – Size of Seed Beads

I have updated my sizing to include

• Small Flies: Toho 8/0 Beads, outer diameter of ~2.0mm
  • for the eye stauk, I am using 20# RIO Hard Saltwater Mono 0.021″
• Large Flies: Toho 6/0 Beads, outer diameter of ~2.8mm
  • for the eye stauk, I am using 80# Seaquar Blue 0.032″.

The selection of the line for the eye stauk is trying to get a balance between fit and stiffeness. As comparison the Easy Shrimp eyes has a eye staulk diameter of 0.020″ us soft nylon.

I am not married to the Toho brand of Japan, but they are readily available to me and I have encountered a discrepancy what is stated and the reality of the outer diameter (size). Example what I have for 8/0 and 6/0 bead is 2.0 and 3.2 mm, with the stated standard of 4 and 3.1mm (all respectively).

Of the many (dozens) of 6/0 beads, none come close to 4mm and similar all of my 8/0 are less than 3mm.

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Experiment Two – Colour and Sally Hanson Coating

In conclusion:

• Light Pink, Sally Hansen Colour 170
• Dark Pink, Sally Hansen Colour 876

but if you want a pink that pops, use Solarez UV Flouresecnt Hot Pink.

The UV coating used by “robert” is from Gulff Hot Fluroscent Pink and willing to add this into my experiments, but I did not find a supplier in North America (though I did find one bottle of Gulff Ambulance Pink, but did not buy).

The alternative is to buy a bright pink pigment and mixing itnto the resin, such as Pinkie from CusltureHustle of the UK.

And I still like the colour seed bead with a black pupil.

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What will be my goto standard?

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A Size 8/0 Pink Seed Bead on a Seaquar Blue FC 80# stauk. End of FC has a small burnt end, painte with Sally Hansen Black Nail Finish and then lightly coated with Solarez UV Thin.

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Burnt 20# Mono coated UV Solarez Hot Pink.

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Lighters

To save my thumb when I am making many eyes, I have given up using BIC lighters and finally settled on a Zippo Single Flame Butane Lighter

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🙂

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Tom Morgan 8′ 4wt

With a relax and moderate line speed, this rod allows for a fine lay down of the fly and time to mend as the line rolls out, and thus makes a fine trout dry fly rod with or without a small dropper behind an Ausable Wulff (or similar).

Having tested with multiple lines from RIO, Cortland and Guideline, I like the traditional Cortland DT4 Peach the best for presentation and casting – whether overhead, roll casting or single hand spey.

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Using a Hardy Princess and on a reel seat from Mike as Snakes Brand Guides. As previously posted, I am not a believer the lightest reel possible is valuable for single hand rods.

Handle is turned to my preference, allowing for a relax soft grip that can shift.

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Penmanship is hand done, and though rougher than I wish, I do want that hand touch look.

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Red YLI 201 Silk with Black Silk tipping, and no colour preserver. Once wet, the red thread colour shifts to a fantastic match to the blank.

Apologize for the dust and dirt, as these pictures were taken after the rod has been in the water as I do not like posting recommendations (line weight, et cetera, until it has seen real time fishing. It was actually finished a few months ago).

Reel seat and guides are from Mike at Snake Brand. I did use a stent to connect the reel seat and this is the second rod were I am using E6000 for the final assembly of the reel seat. I prefer this over fast epoxy.

The stripper guide is from Joe Arguello.

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I have only one disappointment – the Tom Morgan logo was damaged on the backing paper (multiple hairline cracks) that was not detected, and despite multiple calls (voicemails) and emails to the new owners, there was no call backs, replies. Admittedly, they may not have not been able to help, (and I stated I was willing to pay), but zero response is unprofessional. So there is an empty epoxy bump, until I create my own..

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Cream of Tomato Soup, with Pesto

Another one of my summer soups, when tomatoes have a good meat to them.

Ingredients:

• 1 small Onion, finely chopped
• 1 Carrot, finely chopped
• 1 Garlic Clove, minced
• 1/4c Flour
• 6 Tomatoes, peeled and seeded
• 1 Tbsp Chopped Basil
• 1/4c Tomato Paste
• 1 tsp Sugar (or maple syrup 🙂 )
• 3c Vegetable Stock
• 1c Light Cream
• 4-6 Tbsp Pesto

1. Sauté in olive oil the onion for 3-10 minutes, do not brown.
2. Add in carrot for another 3-10 minutes.
3. Add in garlic for another 1-2 minutes.
4. Add in flour.
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5. Add in tomators, basil, tomato paste, sugar and stock.
6. Bring soup to a simmer.
7. Simmer for 20 (minimum) -30 (maximum) minutes.
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8. Puree.
9. Add in cream and warm soup (but do not boil).
10. In necessary season with a smoked salt.
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11. Serve and add a small “blob” of your best pesto.

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🙂

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Vichyssoise

This hot summer has push me to post my trusted receipts for summer soups.

Ingredients:

• 4 good leeks
• 2-4 medium white potato, peeled and chopped
• 8 cups of chicken stock
• 1 cup of heavy cream
• 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
• Lemon Zest
• 1 Tbps fresh Chives

Good leeks means leeks with a long extended white lower body, as we are going to use only the white and light green section of the leek. I put emphasis on this, as the grocery store chains in our part of Canada typically provide horrible garlic and leeks grown by lazy farmers.

1. In a soup out sauté the leeks in Olive Oil for 5-10 minutes
2. Add potatoes and saute for another 5-10 minutes
3. Add stock and bring to a simmer.
4. After 20 minutes, puree.
5. Stir in cream and lemon juice.
6. Pour into a bowl to cool in the fridge.
7. Zest lemon on top.
8. Place on a fridge, and will be ready to serve in 8+ hours.
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🙂

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Chilled Borscht

Another one of my summer soups.

Ingredients

• 8 Beets, cleaned and topped
• 1 Onion, quarter
• Mushroom or Chicken Stock
• 1 Tbsp Sugar
• 2 Cucumbers, peeled, seeded and matchstick cut
• 2 Tbsp Dill
• 2 Tbsp Lemon or Blood Orange Juice
• 2 Tbsp Rice Vinegar
• Sour Cream

The steps

1. Fill base of a pot place Beets, Onion, Sugar, and then cover with stock.
2. Bring port to boil.
3. Simmer for 40 minutes.
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4. Transfer Beets to bowl, cover with cool water and place in “the fridge”.
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5. Strain the reserve fluid and discard the onion.
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6. Once cool, peel beets.
7. Matchstick cut 2-3 Beets, and return to a dry bowl in the fridge.
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8. Rough Cut remainder Beets.
9. Blend the rough cut Beets with minimum stock to create a slurry.
10. Add lemon and vinegar.
11. Place bowl in the fridge.
12. Hint: Place matchstick beets on top, so there is one bowl in the fridge.
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13. Cool got 8+hours
14. When ready to serve.
15. Combine Beets, Cucumber and Dill.
16. Place in bowl.
17. Add Sour Cream, though we often use our homemade greek yoghurt.

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🙂

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Spey Line 56 – CND GPS vs Vector

As previously noted the discontinued CND GPS is on a pedestal and often look at fondly for long rod and lines. In my research, I picked up a CND GPS 56 with the plan to use with my Meiser 5wt 15’6″ rod and play with it as an alternative to the SRO Vector 56.

Post submission correction: The SRO line is a Vector and not a Vector XL, which is listed as 5′ longer and 60 grains heavier.

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As above, the CND is 6′ longer and has an additional 40 grains, and distinctly has the CND belly step.

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Looking at my collection of CND measurements, we can see the belly step is common with CND, though the transition from the head for the 56 is atypically “quick” (I did measure twice, to reduce the possibility of measurement error).

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Where as we can see, a common trait of the SRO Vector is a continuous taper to the tip.

Both cast well, though I find the Vector is more forgiving and I can keep a little more line out on the setup; while I am getting a little more distance on my best cast with the CND. I do believe the shape of the roll-out differs (a function of the mid-belly step).

But, do I have a preference? Right now, I prefer the Vector on my tall Meiser 5wt, but I have left the CND on the reel and may try some heavier flies with it.

I am using long leaders, 12’+ of Chameleon 18 or 20# and then a short tippet of Seaguar Blue 12# or less.

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An update reel-rod image, and though I do like large arbour reels, I do like the feel and sound of this modern custom Wayne Petrevan Reel.

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🙂

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Bahamas 2023, Day 5 – Review of Reel Drags

On Day 5, I learnt the value of adjusting the drag during the fight, to protect the bonefish from a charging Blacktip Shark. We eventually landed and released the bonefish safely. Given this lesson, I have took note of the difference in drag adjustments, and thus my ranking on the drag capability of my reels.

The Bahamas standard reels and rods in bold

Daniellson L5W 8twelve (b8)

• Weight with Line: 12.0 ounces
• Default Line: (b8) RIO Bonefish Quickshooter
• Default Rod Match: TFO BVK 8wt
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• Ease to Access and Adjust Drag: Excellent, and though it is a small disc, it is easy to get to hold and adjust.
• Feedback: Excellent, with an audible click (thought quieter than CCF 2) and feel the click
• Adjustment Range: Excellent.
• Number of Turns from strong to very light drag: 3/4 (just right)
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• Handle: Very Good, solid, as it is comfortable and well shape with a nice pitch in the body.
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• Price: 239 USD (leader)

Nautilus CCF X2 8-10 (Turquiose)

• Weight with Line: 12.1 ounces
• Default Line: RIO Elite Permit 9
• Default Rod Match: Thomas Sextant 909
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• Ease to Access and Adjust Drag: Excellent with a substantial large knob.
• Feedback: Excellent, with an audible and you can feel the click.
• Adjustment Range: Excellent.
• Number of Turns from strong to very light drag: 3 (too many)
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• Handle Fine, but feels like toy plastic with a large swell end.
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• Price: 810 USD
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• One But: If you are fishing for large fish on light tippet, such as IGFA record hunting or nymphing for Steelhead, this fine adjustment should be coveted. But for Bonefishing with 12lb tippet, this fine adjustment is not necessary.

Einarsson 8 Plus

• Weight with Line: 11.3 ounces
• Default Line: RIO Flats Pro 9i
• Default Rod Match: Thomas Sextant 909
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  This reels was put in use to test out the Asquith 7wt with a RIO Elite Bonefish 7wt. As the rod is light, I have decided to buy a Danielsson F3W 7ten, and has since been repurposed to the Sextant.
  
• Ease to Access and Adjust Drag: Excellent
• Feedback: Excellent, with an audible and with a great good feel
• Adjustment Range: Excellent
• Number of Turns: <3/4
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• Handle: Fine, a solid barrel with minimal shaping.
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• Price: 700 USD
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  Trident reviews had report issues with start-up, but I have never experience this issue.

Islander AR LA 4W – open cork

• Weight with Line: 12.8 ounces
• Default Line: Cortland Bonefish 9
• Default Rod Match: Winston BL5 9wt
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• Ease to Access and Adjust the Drag: Very Good, with disc on the side of the winder’s hand
• Feedback: Good, with an uniform increase in tension
• Adjustment Range: Very Good
• Number of Turns: 1.5 (fine)
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• Handle Ok, but swell to the base a little too much.
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• Price: 624 USD for a LA4, but note AR model is discontinued.
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  Though I like this reel, Judy is not fond of the feel of an AR reel in a bonefish fight.

Nautilus CCF Original 10

• Weight with Line: 12.2 ounces
• Default Line: SA Bonefish 8wt
• Default Rod Match: Scott Meridan 8wt
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• Ease to Access and Adjust: Good, but large CCF-X2 is easier to grip.
• Feedback: Good, providing only tension (uniform)
• Adjustment Range: Excellent
• Number of Turns: 1.5 (fine)
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• Price: Discontinued many years ago.
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• Handle: Nice, similar to the Danielson and unlike it younger CCFs.

Abel SDS 11/12 Purple

• Weight with Line: 12.8 ounces
• Default Line: Cortland Crystal Tarpon F 11
• Default Rod Match: Scott Sector 11
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• Ease to Access and Adjust: Good, with a large diameter knob, but not easy to grab.
• Feedback: Good, providing a click with even tension (but a little stiff)
• Adjustment Range: Very Good
• Number of Turns: 7/8 (good)
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• Price: 1225 USD in Black and the nice metal handle
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• Handle: Awesome ventilated metal handle with a nice flare and textured.

Nautilus NV-G 8/9 Orange

• Weight with Line: 10.8 ounces (good)
• Default Line: SA Bonefish 8wt
• Default Rod Match: Scott Meridan 8wt
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• Ease to Access and Adjust: Fair. Knob is little smaller than the CCF Original and smoother,
• Feedback: Good, but click and tension is not there for the full range.
• Adjustment Range: Just Good Enough
• Number of Turns: 3/4 (good)
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• Price: Discontinues in early 2022
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• Handle: Fine, but feels like toy plastic with a large swell end.

……………………………………. add for 2024 …..

Danielsson F3W 7ten (add after the trip)

• Weight with Line: 9.3 ounces (really good)
• Default Line: SA Bonefish 7wt
• Default Rod Match: Loos Asquith 7wt 7wt
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• Ease to Access and Adjust Drag: Excellent, and though it is a small disc, it is easy to get to hold and adjust.
• Feedback: Very Good, with an audible click and feel the click. Tension is noticable at the end.
• Adjustment Range: Excellent, and I may re-adjust the idsks to lower it.
• Number of Turns from strong to very light drag: 3/4 (just right)
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• Handle: Very Good, solid, as it is comfortable and well shape with a nice pitch in the body.
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• Price: 189 USD (a great buy)

The Best for me in Each Group

• Ease to Access and Adjust: Tie: Nautilus CCF-2, Danielsson
• Feedback: Tie, Nautilus CCF-X2, Danielsson, Einarsson
• Adjustment Range: Danielsson, Einarsson, Nautilus CCF-*, Islander, Abel
• Number of Turns: Danielsson, Einarsson, Abel, Nautilus NV-G
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• Handle: Abel, but second Danielsson and the old Nautilus CCF.

In summary, all of these reels are up to the job, but the price of a Danielsson direct from the Sweden manufacturing makes this reel attractive, so I continue to see Danielsson as the best reel for the job.

But if you need some thing custom colour, then look to Nautilis CCF-X2

And why a custom colour? Well, it helps when you have more than one rod in the boat, rigged differently, to say, pick up the “blue reel”, versus get the Thomas 9wt.

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some distorted panoramas from the Airport Flats

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🙂

Bahamas 2023, Day 4 – Left and Right Handed Crab

When you are fishing off the boat, you are more likely to cast

• Left (Port, 9-12 o’clock)) if you are right handed
• Right (Starboard, 12-3 o’clock)) if you are left handed

If you believe the crab should be facing the bonefish on the retrieve, then eye and claw orientation is important, if you are doing a side placement.

Not thinking about this, I went to the Bahamas with just left handed crabs, as illustrated below.

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and though I saw some large crabs with Blue, what I saw where white crabs that blended into the background of the light white sand of the Exumas.

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If we look at the fly above, the leg and body natural crabs were close to the white chenille and crab legs, and the body is generally too dark.

The size of this fly (body diameter is just over 1″ / 2.5cm) was fine.

So my next set for the Exumas, will have:

• Light-White Body, Legs and Craws
• Very small eyes
• Tied for left and right casting.
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The Exuma Airport Flats, where I studied the crabs.

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🙂

Bahamas 2023, Day 3 – Polar Charlie and …

Pretty simple – we fished 3 fly patterns, but the majority of the time was the Polar Charlie from the boat.

the fly	Bead Chain	Small Weight
Polar Charlie	Yes	Yes
Flats Fiend	Yes	Yes
Rabbit Shrimp	Yes	No

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Of note:

• All flies were white
• Tippet was Seaquar 12lb
• After the tenth fish, we found “the wings” excessively chewed up and we need to replace them
• Lost two flies in trip, break off in the fight: One broke near the knotand the another 2′ in the 12# tippet.
• We effectively never had to replace a leader, but some leader maintenance was required

Some past images, showing what we did fish.

Number 1 – the Polar Charlie – weighted (as shown)

Though we call this a “Charlie”, but recognizing I prefer a mylar body without a plastic rib, it is closer related to it younger sibling the gotcha.

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Number 2 – Flats Field with polar bear wing

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Number 3 – Rabbit Shrimp in Bead Chain

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We did see small white crabs being active, and though not fished, I would consider them

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Not fished but glad, I had it – tan Flat fiend or Charlie (as below) for the mangroves

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Q: Do I believe I missed anything out on the water?

A: Yes, I am thinking about a waterproof sling (a replacement to my trusted fishpond hip pack), so when I wade deep as I walk out, I not bothered with drying everything else at the end of day.

Summary

This years fishing proved the axiom, it is not the fly, but the presentation.

What is required for the Exumas

• One of each fly for every day fishing – 3 minimum, 5 maximum for a week.
• Add a tan polar charlie, when in a colour mangrove

So what do we need to have? A 6 position Myran Box from Sweden – in each section, 4 white, and one tan fly of.

• Group 1: 5 Unweighted Flies
• Group 2: 5 Bead Chain Rabbit Shrimp
• Group 3: 5 Bead Chain Polar Charlies
• Group 4: 5 Bead Chain Flats Fiend
• Group 5: 5 Weighted Polar Charlie
• Group 6: 5 Weighted Flat Fiend

Carry-On, flies were inspected and passed through security with no problem

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A left handed crab

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My favourite time to hunt for bonefish, as the sun is low.

🙂