Tempel fork outfitters BVK 7-weight

After building and fishing some 6 weight rods I decided that I needed a rod that could handle more harsh weather condition and larger flies. Price was not I issue, I could have spend a lot to get a blank that suited my needs but after searching the web I couldn't help to notice the good reweiws that the BVK from TFO was getting. I rember casting a TICR modell from them over 10 years ago and was impressed how smooth and powerful it felt. But in the end I got myself a rod from another manufacture and never tought more of it. Now I couldn't help myself and ordered a 7 weight to try it out. And when I was done reaming the fullwells handle and glued it and the reelseat in place I taped the rings on the blank and went out on the lawn to check it out. Wow! I relly liked casting this blank. Same smooth and forceful feel that I remembered back then with the TICR model in hand. But now 10 years later you could feel the progress in material and design. Lighter, more responsive and really pleasant to handle.

And after 1 seson by the sea and some fishing in lakes and rivers a have nothing but good to say about the BVK. The action are fast but not stiff and works somewhat down the blank. Works great with a wide range of lines. Let you get by with some bad timing in the casting stroke that happens to all casters sometimes.

The only thing that dosen't worked out that great I have myself to blame. I tryed out butt guides from a manufacturer in Korea, TAC. Not only where they thick and heavy, rust could be detected around the guidefeets and frames after only short time fishing in the salty sea. So I had to replace them with Fuji's sic rings. And the fightingbutt became to long so I replaced it with a shorter and wider one. And althou the full well handle felt alright it where a tad to beefy so I reamed more slender.

Blank: Tempel fork Outfitters BVK 9' 7#
Handle: Supreme cork and burl
Reelseat: Rainshadow
Guides: Fuji SIC, Pac Bay's snakes
Thread: Gudebrod A, Olive
Finish: Flexcoat lite
Rod Weight:108 g
Tipsize:1,8 mm (4.5)
Windingcheck size: 9 mm ( app. 30 cm from the butt)