580 FastGlass Fly Rod
Smoother than Barry White.
The 580 is super versatile and super smooth. Our personal favourite, the 580 presents with grace but has the strength and lifting power of a big five.
The Epic 580 is an extremely smooth and versatile fly rod and the perfect choice for dry fly fishing.
Our Epic™ 580 is crafted from Unidirectional S2 Glass, this material is stiffer and stronger than e-glass or standard s-glass.
Recommended line weight: AFTMA #5Length: 8'
Pieces: 4
Studio Built. Handcrafted one at a time.
Choose the options you'd like on your Epic fly rod and we'll build it for you with tender loving care right here in our Wanaka Studio. Each Studio built fly rod is handcrafted specifically for you from start to finish and each is identified by a unique laser engraved winding check registered against your name in our owners database.
Built Epic Tough
Epic glass rods are incredibly tough. Our S2 FastGlass has a far higher strength-to-weight ratio than Carbon fibre (graphite) rods. Epic FastGlass rods can endure more acute and severe bends than the equivalent Carbon fibre, tip sections are stronger and far less susceptible to breakages due to high-sticking and problematic rod angles when pulling against load.
Each Epic Fly Rod Features:
- FastGlass™ fly rod blank with internally reenforced ferule system
- High quality fiberglass rod tube in satin black
- Premium hand sewn rod sock.
- cleaning cloth.
- Finest quality Portuguese cork grip (Classic Western shape)
- Epic reel seat in either black or Titanium finish.
- Guide set (Snake brand Universal guides USA)
- Premium quality stripper guides.
- Our signature Epic Ghost Wraps in premium Japanese silk with fine one turn pinstripe midway over each guide foot.
Recommended line weight: AFTMA #5
Length: 8'
Pieces: 4
Total length: 2,438mm
ERN: (Unwrapped): 4.8
ELN: 5
Optimal Grain Window: 130 - 155 Grains
Action: Progressive / Mid Flex / Medium
Taper: Fast
Rod Weight: 112g
Butt Diameter: 10.28mm
"Hi Carl,
I’ve fished my So Blue 580 three times now and have spent some time casting it in the yard. Only one other rod in my lifetime has given me anywhere near this much joy [an old Sage 389 VPS-L]. I’ve landed about 70 fish on it, including a few smallmouth bass in the 3-lb class, and have comfortably cast some big [#4] Chernobyls with it. It does everything I want a rod to do, except go long with a short stroke.
This rod is a magnificent achievement and I sing its praises [along with Craig Buckbee’s 686] to every serious flyrodder I know.
With deep thanks,
Macauley
N. Macauley Lord"
"I really believe the EPIC 686 is by far the most popular GLASS streamer rod on the market. More often than not, I get requests for the 686 and most of the time in Salsa. Carl has created a wonderful, and powerful taper and folks love them!"
- Shane Gray Graywolf Rods.
"I will only touch on this for a second because everyone keeps hearing how phenomenal the 686 is. This is a phenomenal blank. The beauty is in the fact that the rod can lay out ten feet of line with the delicacy of a full flex cane, but when called upon fire 95' of line into a stiff breeze. It does all of this with a great deal of feel and composure that most rods will never achieve. It is quite possibly one of the best 6wts on the mark glass, graph, or grass."
- Zeb Tonkavich Snowman Custom Rod Works
"the Epic 686 is (f#$%'ing) magic in my hands. This fly rod is responsive, quick to load, and a powerhouse that lays out very long accurate casts with relative ease."
- Cameron Mortenson The Fiberglass Manifesto
Customer Reviews
- Reviews (12)
- Questions (0)
Great rod
The rod is simply great. I love it. I do not have a big knowledge of rods but I like feeling of the rod casting and fighting with fishes. Cosmetic is fantastic. Also communications are so good. I am highly recommend this rod!! Thanks everything!!
Very Versatile !
I have had this rod for about a year now and have used it on streams ,rivers and lakes.Throws a lovely dry presentation and handles tungsten nymphs and streamers easily.The quality and finish is fantastic, communication from Trevor was great during and after the build.
Small rivers, big, fiesty bows and that EPIC bend
What do you do when you pick up your brand spanking new 580 just in time for the opening of the back country season here in NZ? You choose a river for your new rod! Nick my fishing bud and I fished our Epic's side by side (a 480 and 580) on a small but very productive small river, and... sweet Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Still a little early for delicate dry fly presentation we threw tungsten/double tungsten and a bulky strike indicator with out a care in the world. This taper has so much back bone it's not funny. Trevor rolled an amazing rod and cannot fault his meticulous artistry. Thanks mate, your eye for detail is above and beyond. I wanted a presentation rod and I got a freakin' Mona Lisa! Satisfaction level is through the roof. This was a 40th birthday present from my family to me and will be a gift that keeps giving. You feel the strike, you set the hook and you get that sweet ass bend. Better than a cake with candles ;)
Glass is back
Surprisingly quick with lots of reserve power. This rod is a new favourite!
Wonderful rod!
I've only had my 580 FastGlass rod for a few days but have cast and fished it several times and have enjoyed it immensely! Light, crisp but flexible, a delightful casting/fishing tool! Not only does the rod cast/fish very well, but it is flawless and beautiful, a true work of fishing art.
- THE EPIC PROMISE -
We guarantee everything we make.
If one of our products fails to meet your expectations either at the time you receive it, or over the next 30 days, contact us and we'll arrange a total refund and return at our cost, anywhere in the world.
The Epic Lifetime Warranty.
Every new Epic fly rod or blank that we produce is covered by our lifetime, original owner warranty. This warranty covers failure due to defects in material or workmanship of our product. Any Epic fly rod built by the Swift Fly Fishing company that fails due to misuse, negligence or normal wear-and-tear will be repaired or replaced at a nominal cost plus shipping at our discretion.
Full details of our warrenty, guarantee, replacment and returns policy can be found here
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