Ever since the incorporation of ultra-hard and corrosion resistant gold
"titanium nitride" coating (TiN) into our
component line almost ten years ago, Pacific Bay has been striving to duplicate
these characteristics in a more
practical and cosmetically acceptable guide finish. Though gold cosmetics
and hard chrome durability have their
place in rod building today, many fly fishermen have long believed in a
more "stealthy" approach to rod cosmetics; specifically, less
light reflective components for reduced visibility to wary gamefish.
Various formulations within the titanium carbide (TiCH) family have always
offered the most promise, but it was
not until recently that Pacific Bay tested a formulation with the proper
balance of hardness, flexibility and adhesion.
The smooth black/bronze coating of TiCH achieves this balance with an undercoat
of industrial hard chrome over hardened stainless steel for unmatched groove,
abrasion and corrosion resistance (particularly ideal for all saltwater
and hard running fish applications.
Matching stripper guides are also available and utilize our top-of-the line, diamond-polished SiC rings for the ultimate in performance, beauty and durability. TiCH represents a technology which is relatively new to the custom rod builder, and is exclusively from Pacific Bay.
Precision molded in Japan, silicon carbide rings are at the top of our
line. They are diamond polished to the
smoothest surface possible among the "ceramic" types, and actually
approach the roller guide in promoting
longer line life. Silicon carbide rings are also extremely light and strong,
and provide the ultimate in abrasion, corrosion and thermal shock resistance.
A performance plus on any rod, SiC's heat dissipating conductivity makes
them the perfect choice for Tuna Sticks where line speed, friction, and
heat build-up are at a maximum.
Hialoy represents the hardest grade of Aluminum Oxide available. Softer grades of Aluminum Oxide will groove over time and damage easily, which in turn damages your line. Strong enough to be mounted without shock rings for lighter weight and better heat dissipation, Hialoy guides will provide many years of service in all salt and freshwater applications.
Though economically priced, our Titanium Oxide rings polish to a smoother
surface and are harder than other
manufacturers of aluminum oxide guides. They have been the choice of major
rod manufacturers for many years,
and are exclusively from PACIFIC BAY.
This incredibly durable coating sets a new standard for corrosion and
abrasion resistance in a gold plating.
PACIFIC BAY has teamed TiGold™ plated frames with the ultra-smooth
Silicon Carbide rings on selected
models, to outlast and outperform all gold frame/ceramic ring guides and
tops on the market today.
TiN is also the "gold' of choice on our NSNG snake and NSFG single
foot guide sets, and matching NFT tops.
In the past, custom fly rod builders requiring gold snake guides have always
sacrificed hard chrome's durability in
favor of cosmetics. TiGold™ fly guides, with their industrial hard
chrome undercoat offers both, as well as
superior resistance to saltwater corrosion.