Building The Rodfather Headwaters [drc #14 6'6" 4pc 2wt FAST] 20Dec21

With the RFEC matching the RF4A well (same blank vendor, color, and similar action), they'll serve as gifts this season. I went back to the design lathe for a 2wt to add back to my quiver, 'cause who can be without such a versatile stream & alpine lake tool? Enter the Rodfather Headwaters, again a 6.5' 4pc like Jim's but this time based on an alternative Chinese blank (just to try something new); the Revelation is an IM7 graphite piece and is a smidge lighter. Compared to Jim's RFEC built out though, the RFHW is ~1oz heavier due to primarily my handle choice. It is still just 2.8oz, but that's equal to Andy's RF4A 3wt which is a heaver blank, uses the same reel seat, and is 1'3" longer. Lesson: the coolest custom handles I turn are ~1oz heavier than regular cork rings and should be reserved for 4wt and higher rods. The RFHW measures out as a true fast 2 wt at ERN of 2.8 and, despite intermediate modulus graphite, an AA of 68° It's matte dark grey. I turned a custom full wells handle for this and mated it to the same reel seat as I discovered for Andy's 4A ~ a nice piece sporting a channeled maple insert. I also discretely picked a set of 7 chromed single foot guides from Batson Forecast for light weight and matched those with a chrome Forecast stripping guide, tip top, hook holder and winding check. Had to go to Netcraft in OH though to get this stuff (post-script, I still prefer Snake). I wrapped the whole thing out in a sharp contrasting Colorado sunshine yellow color-stable nylon. This is an ultralight beauty and right balanced when mated to the matte black Sage Click ultralight click & pawl reel with Rio Trout LT DT2F. I'll need to run short leaders to cast sharply with only 6.5' of rod but that makes it all the easier to dodge willows and shoot under brush. I still managed line fantastically and made over 35ft super clean in the back yard - it is a fast rod but loads fine above 10 ft of DT 2wt and it remarkably light outfitted with the Click reel. It won't see true field use till the headwaters' streams (10 Mile, Blue in Breck, Ark below Leadville, etc.) or the alpine lakes (Mohawk, RMNP, etc.) open up next spring/summer, but I am confident of performance from test sessions. I built a new smallish acrylic tube and bought a sock that I cut down to size; Kala resewed it nicely. The RFHW is ready for hiking  to the smalls... and so are Jim & Andy. Completion was celebrated with a fine brew from Weldworks - a DDH variant of their fine Juicy Bits.