What blanks do you use?
Whats the most expensive rod have you built?
How long have you been building?
I’m fascinated by the artistic ability some people have. Please post some photo’s of your better work!
This a a 5 weight Switch Rod (a two-handed fly rod)I built a while back. Nothing too fancy but it turned out nice. And itt’s a joy to fish with.
SR
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Nice job Steve. How long you been building? I’m sure raising that daughter taught you patience. 
i built my first rod, a Fenwick bait caster, back in the late 70’s. I haven’t built a lot of rod. Mainly I do it to save money or to make something that isn’t readily available.
Here are the only pictures I have on my phone of a couple I have made. Both are St. Croix blanks.
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Nice!!
I won a couple of kits. Got one done and the other one still needs the clear coat.
Built my first rod around 1979. So many different blanks that its really hard to put any focus on a particular one. Loomis back in the 80’s were great, now…just another stick.
Some of the high carbon modulous blanks are amazing for light weight and stregnth. Most are proprietary and hard to get.
One of my favorites is a Sage RP II 4wt flyrod blank built as an 8′ ultralight. hundreds of steelhead caught on that rod in addition to 1000’s of panfish and eyes.
Back in the 80’s when I was learning, did a lot of very fancy wrap jobs. As I got older and hopefully wiser, went for all lught weight. Building them as simple and lite as possible.
Big fan of the American Tackle components. My standard guide I like to use is the -Frame lock with either the Duralites or nanolites
I had one built and the guy painted pheasant feathers on it. I thought that was a nice touch.
Living near mudhole I’ve thought about it.
I don’t build for art, I build for function and to make a rod that fits my needs perfectly.
The most expensive rod I have built was on a $200 St Croix Legend Elite 7’11” Flipping Stick blank. I have more into it than I can buy a stock one for, but it suits me perfectly. I definitely don’t do it to save money. Unfortunately that one got crushed in a hatch and is now in the landfill.
Lately I’ve been buying up some of my favorite rods, used on EBay, dismantling them with just the reel seat and rear grip remaining and rebuilding them with micro guides and no foregrip. Lots of time involved doing that but the difference is night and day.
This is my favorite small stream trout rod. It’s an 8 foot, 4 weight built on an American Tackle blank. Randy is right, they make good products. The special thing about this rod is the handle. It’s not cork, it’s African zebra wood. I know a guy who makes pens and other small things from exotic hardwoods. I really like this little rod.
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This is my favorite small stream trout rod. It’s an 8 foot, 4 weight built on an American Tackle blank. Randy is right, they make good products. The special thing about this rod is the handle. It’s not cork, it’s African zebra wood. I know a guy who makes pens and other small things from exotic hardwoods. I really like this little rod.
Do I recognize that reel Steve? 
I started building ice rods back in the late 90’s due to necessity, you just couldn’t find long, heavy lake trout rods. I have since gave all my equipment to my cousin. He has started to build Bamboo fly rods. He lives in the red wing area and fishes for trout. I found a older bamboo fly rod in the attic that I got at a garage sale along time ago. We will see how good he is when he gets done with my attic find.
“Do I recognize that reel Steve? whistling grin”
Yes you do! That’s why the rod has such great karma…a gift from a friend 
i built my first rod, a Fenwick bait caster, back in the late 70’s. I haven’t built a lot of rod. Mainly I do it to save money or to make something that isn’t readily available.
I did the same in the 80s,steelhead rods were very hard to find and expensive.Used a Lamiglass blank to make a 9′ rod(fly rod blank)for a lot less than commercial built.Not the case anymore thanks to China.But building your own,the sky is the limit.I build them for function,not looks.The lighter,the better.Fancy wraps look nice,but add weight.
I think I’ve only bought one high priced rod blank. That was for my bride when she retired from working. The rest of the blanks I used were St. Croix seconds, when they were available. I’d get a brainstorm, head for the basement, put together a rod, try it and if I liked it I’d use it for a while. The ones that were “okay” I kept, more like stood in the corner by my bench. The ones I didn’t like got donated to a kid fishing off a dock somewhere. Eventually, the “okay” ones went that way too. Over the years the favorites stay in the boat, the rest have been passed on. As with most of my hobbys, the tools and equipment are packed away in a trunk and slid under the table. Once in a while I need to rewrap a guide so it’s handy having it around- – -jerr
As an after thought,,,I think to this day my overall favorite is a 5wt St. Croix flyrod blank that I wrapped and converted it to a light spinning rod. By far and away the most versitile all around rod I own. It’s handled everything from pannys to 4# walleyes.
Yes you do! That’s why the rod has such great karma…a gift from a friend
It looks like it’s right at home on that rod bud……
When the knee heals up we’ll have to try and get out for a day…… 
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