Really good custom rod builders leave their touch on almost all aspects of the rod. They build the cork handles from small cork rings, wrap and epoxy the guides, but most of all they show off their skills in wrapping by making all manner of designs and colors in thread just above the handle. Me? I'm still learning to wrap the guides onto the rod blank so they will just stay on; fancy will come much later.
The tedium comes in the wrapping and aligning the guides. I wrap mine loosely enough so I can move them just a hair if they're not in alignment. So far, they've all had to be moved somewhat. Building a rod is a whole lot like learning a new language or how to play an instrument. The builder gets better and better with more practice.
The satisfaction comes from catching fish on a rod built with your own hands. Sure, I can get a whole outfit at Wal-Mart for less than I pay for a rod blank, but somehow the store-bought rod just isn't the same.
I'm just starting out, so I get my rods in kits. They come with a carbon blank, guides, handles and butts, glue, epoxy and thread. The first thing I do is find the rod's spine. This is accomplished by placing the butt on the floor and the tip in the palm of my hand. When I press on the tip, the rod bends and rotates until a beautiful little curve shows itself. The back side of the curve is the spine. I mark it and go to the next step.
Next, I ream the handle to fit the blank and wrap tape around the blank where the reel seat will mount. Then, I ream the cork foregrip to fit. Next, the blank is laid on the floor and positions of the guides are marked in wax pencil on it. I then glue and slip the handle on, then the reel seat and finally the foregrip. This is put in a homemade vice contraption designed to keep all the components aligned and tight until the glue dries.
After all this dries, I mount the rod on the rod supports and wrap the guides onto the spots specified by the wax pencil marks. This is what takes the longest, as I sometimes have to stop and start all over again, especially on the smallest of guides. The rod in the picture has six guides on it, and I had to wait for my binocular magnifier to arrive so I could see to finish the guides near the tip.
When all the previous steps are accomplished, I chuck the butt in a rotating vise and apply clear epoxy to the windings. This covers them and protects them from the elements as well as strengthens them for a lifetime of hauling fish from the water. After a day of drying, the rod is ready to accept a reel and head out to the local pond for testing. When it passes with flying colors (catches fish) I sign it and apply an American flag decal.
So far I've made spinning and casting rods for other people. My next one will be for me -- a travel fly rod. And I'll build it, too, if FBC lets me stay off the water long enough.
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