Fly Rod building.

[Roaring River Veteran]

Well guys I have had the itch to build a fly rod for some time now and I was just wondering if anyone out there could give me any pointers. I have found several blanks that I can buy cheap. I am afraid to start out on anything to expensive. I will worry about doing a high dollar rod once I have the hang of it. Have any of you used Hook & Hackle rods or blanks? or Fly Logic rods or blanks? or Rainshadow rods or blanks? those are the ones that I am considering starting with.

Thanks

RRV

[Greg]

RRV - I've built a couple. I built an 8ft 5 wt forecast for my son. It's a pretty good rod. The forecast is a good blank. I built it from the Hook and hackle forecast kit. Everything was top quality except the reel seat. It's a little cheesy although it does work fine. It would be great for a first build though. I also built a pac bay traditional (blank) 8.5ft 5 wt for myself. I used a better quality reel seat on it (struble) and it turned out pretty good as well. Personally I can assemble the rod just fine but I'm never happy with my wraps. They look OK but not like a professionals would. I think I'm not patient enough. Rod building is like fly tying but much more time consuming and meticulous.

If I were you I would start out with a forecast kit or blank from hook and hackle. You just can't beat the price. They cast and fish well too.

Good luck!

Greg

[Danoinark]

I built my first rod on a Dorber blank. They are made in Flippin Arkansas. Check them out at

www.dorber.com

The entire Dorber folks are gems to deal with.

Dan

[Wayne SW/MO]

I've built a couple and it can be real gratifying.

You might check this out.

http://www.rodbuilding.org/list.php?2

[Seth]

I built my first one with a Sage blank. The local town chiropractor talked with Sage and they donated ten 6wt 9ft fly rod blanks for him to have some of us build rods.

It is nice, even though I did not do a perfect job on it. She gets the job done.