[Smackdaddy53]

Just adding this...The LMX blanks have the raised spiral texture like a Scott.

 

[bluechipfish]

In the middle of my first build on a GB 7wt. Enjoying the process a lot and already thinking towards my next build. I’d like to build a 5wt for very skinny and calm conditions when fishing to smaller reds/bones. I was thinking going gamma beta again but, are there any other suggestions? I was thinking a little slower action might accomplish my goal of having the lightest presentation possible, but maybe it being a 5 weight to begin with will take care of that. I welcome any and all thoughts. NFC has a badass sale going on right now btw.

 

[Renegade]

In the middle of my first build on a GB 7wt. Enjoying the process a lot and already thinking towards my next build. I’d like to build a 5wt for very skinny and calm conditions when fishing to smaller reds/bones. I was thinking going gamma beta again but, are there any other suggestions? I was thinking a little slower action might accomplish my goal of having the lightest presentation possible, but maybe it being a 5 weight to begin with will take care of that. I welcome any and all thoughts. NFC has a badass sale going on right now btw.

I have a GB 5 and LMX 5. I much prefer casting the LMX, and it will present quieter. The GB has more power but I don't fish it in conditions that require it. If you build a GB 5, using a shooting head like the Royal Wulff. There aren't many to choose from.

 

[dtaylo1066]

I am building a 7 weight on the LMX blank right now.

I am looking to build a 7-wt rod for large trout, steelhead and light salt. I see you have fished both the NFC Gamma Beta and LMX. How do you like the LMX vs the Gamma Beta and how would you compare their actions?

Thanks

 

[Surfrat59]

Great blanks. I just built my buddy a NFC 1290-4 GB

View attachment 173369

Beautiful build. I'm not a fan of carbon fiber grips but to each his own.

 

[Renegade]

I am looking to build a 7-wt rod for large trout, steelhead and light salt. I see you have fished both the NFC Gamma Beta and LMX. How do you like the LMX vs the Gamma Beta and how would you compare their actions?

Thanks

The Gamma Beta is an extra fast action. The LMX/FAF series is a fast action with a little more tip flex. I like the GB when there is heavy wind or I'm moving a big fly. The LMX/FAF is a pleasure to cast with plenty of backbone.

 

[Smackdaddy53]

I am looking to build a 7-wt rod for large trout, steelhead and light salt. I see you have fished both the NFC Gamma Beta and LMX. How do you like the LMX vs the Gamma Beta and how would you compare their actions?

Thanks

I have not built the LMX yet but it’s definitely a great blank that feels exactly as renegade explained.

 

[Tailer]

I am looking to build a 7-wt rod for large trout, steelhead and light salt. I see you have fished both the NFC Gamma Beta and LMX. How do you like the LMX vs the Gamma Beta and how would you compare their actions?

Thanks

I’m currently building an LMX #8 to test against the the other #8's I use (GLX Classic, CrossCurrent Pro1). I've thrown a 7wt Edge Gamma Beta and I'd put that rod in same speed/stiffness category as the original NRX though without stability of the NRX at longer distances. I'm hoping that the LMX has a softer tip than the Gamma Beta but is faster than the GLX Classic and similar in action to my Pro1 but lighter in real and swing weight. If I like the #8 I plan to build the 7, 9, and 10 LMX's and possibly a few of the 1-piece blanks too. I'll post my thoughts once I finish in a few weeks. For now I’ve got the grip and seat glued up and the guides placed and taped but I still need to get them wrapped.

 

[bluechipfish]

I’m currently building an LMX #8 to test against the the other #8's I use (GLX Classic, CrossCurrent Pro1). I've thrown a 7wt Edge Gamma Beta and I'd put that rod in same speed/stiffness category as the original NRX though without stability of the NRX at longer distances. I'm hoping that the LMX has a softer tip than the Gamma Beta but is faster than the GLX Classic and similar in action to my Pro1 but lighter in real and swing weight. If I like the #8 I plan to build the 7, 9, and 10 LMX's and possibly a few of the 1-piece blanks too. I'll post my thoughts once I finish in a few weeks. For now I’ve got the grip and seat glued up and the guides placed and taped but I still need to get them wrapped.

View attachment 184531

can’t wait to hear. I just finished a gamma beta 7wt, have an lmx and a 1 piece psi next up!

 

[dtaylo1066]

Thanks for the replies, gents. The LMX sounds pretty sweet. I recently purchased a used 7-wt. Sage Motive, which I find to be a heavy feeling rod. The Motive can sling an SA 7-wt Anadro line pretty well, but the rod tip is quite stiff. The Anadro line has a 225 grain head. I may build the LMX #7 as it sounds it would feel lighter, crisper and have a softer tip.

Please post your reviews as you build out the LMX and compare it to the Gamma Beta.

 

[TF21]

@Tailer where did you source your cork?

 

[bluechipfish]

I put this in the 8wt build thread but figured I'd drop it here too. Fished my new gamma beta 7wt last night with a true to weight cortland flats taper in 7wt. The rod didn't feel super great, but I'm going to keep fishing it a bit, and experiment with other lines. It had zero feel in close and didn't want to load quickly, but did start coming into it's own with 30-40ft of line out. I've been told by someone who tried a bunch of lines on a GB that the grand slam (up weight line) is best. What I probably felt last night is the rod wanting a more substantial line to load.

 

[Tailer]

@Tailer where did you source your cork?

I got the rings from Joe at customflygrips.com; I think they're extra grade but could be Flor.

 

[TF21]

Thanks! looks great, good cork is hard to come by!

 

[dtaylo1066]

I put this in the 8wt build thread but figured I'd drop it here too. Fished my new gamma beta 7wt last night with a true to weight cortland flats taper in 7wt. The rod didn't feel super great, but I'm going to keep fishing it a bit, and experiment with other lines. It had zero feel in close and didn't want to load quickly, but did start coming into it's own with 30-40ft of line out. I've been told by someone who tried a bunch of lines on a GB that the grand slam (up weight line) is best. What I probably felt last night is the rod wanting a more substantial line to load.

I have found that some of the faster rods need heads that are more than true to weight. I put my 7 wt Anadro line (225 grain head) on my 6 weight Batson Eternity 2 9 foot fly rod and to my amazement it could throw the line a ton, and with some good rod bend and feel. Same on my TFO TiCrX 5 weight! Of course TiCrX are known to be a least a weight or two above what's on the label in terms of real rod weight.

It kind of sucks there are not really places where you can test cast lines. Gamma Betta is known to be fast, so I would try a heavier head line. I can say the Anadro is one hell of a line. One or two back casts and you can shoot line a mile, same as if you double haul. I am not sure how it handles salt.

I would suggest you try a line with a more aggressive head and move up to 215 to 225 grain head weight.

Good luck.

 

[bluechipfish]

I'm going to try the SA grand slam, Wulff Triangle Taper, and Bonefish quickshooter. Hopefully we'll land on one that makes me love the rod!

 

[Renegade]

Thanks for the replies, gents. The LMX sounds pretty sweet. I recently purchased a used 7-wt. Sage Motive, which I find to be a heavy feeling rod. The Motive can sling an SA 7-wt Anadro line pretty well, but the rod tip is quite stiff. The Anadro line has a 225 grain head. I may build the LMX #7 as it sounds it would feel lighter, crisper and have a softer tip.

Please post your reviews as you build out the LMX and compare it to the Gamma Beta.

I have built GammaBetas, PSI's, LMX/FAF, and Iconoglass in nearly every weight available.

My thoughts and comparisons on each:

Gamma Beta- Extremely light, extremely fast, and extremely powerful. This rod has backbone like two line weights up and weight like two line weights down. It likes a heavy line, and needs a quick shooting line for fast work in close. It has a small sweet spot. This thing is faster and lighter than the NRX, in a noticeable way.

PSI- Bar none, my favorite rod anywhere. It has some tip flex, large sweet spot, great backbone, casts well short or punches wind in long casts. It is butter.

LMX/FAF- I cast these rods very well. It has more tip flex than the GB. It is a fast rod but is very smooth and powerful. Great for short casting and long. Great pick up power.True to line weight. I like the SA Amplitude Bonefish on this rod.

Iconoglass- It's a glass rod. You know the drill.

 

[Tailer]

North Fork has a pretty decent sale going on right now for those of you interested. I picked up a couple of the Psi 1-piece blanks for about $135 a piece including tax and shipping.

 

[Smackdaddy53]

North Fork has a pretty decent sale going on right now for those of you interested. I picked up a couple of the Psi 1-piece blanks for about $135 a piece including tax and shipping.

They remind me of a car dealership. Everything is always on sale! Haha
They make great blanks, they are all I build on and fish with conventional and fly.

 

[Jason M]

I just had a 6wt built in the gamma beta. I haven't fished it but I have casted it and it seems very very nice.