Fly rod building

[jay bird]

Any one with any experience building Fly Rods?

[Greg]

I've built 3. I learned a lot but am far from an expert. Is there something I can help you with?

Also there is a wonderful site about all things rod building:

www.rodbuilding.org/

Greg

[jay bird]

Me and a friend of mine ordered some blanks and are going to give it a try. Any pointers

[Bill Butts]

Me and a friend of mine ordered some blanks and are going to give it a try. Any pointers

Jason,

I haven't built rods in a long time, but if you've ordered blanks to build for fishing for Whites/Hybrids/Stripers I could offer some pointers on what to be sure to include for hardware, etc.

What blanks did you order?

Like fly tying, if you have someone to help you, in person, it is always the best.

Surely, there are some folks in your area that could assist and advise.

Do you know Tim Homesley at Tim's Fly Shop?

I know several up here, but not down in your neck of the woods.

BTW, did you see Chuck R. last night?

[sms_alum]

I built a rod a few years ago, but I had plenty of help for Tom at T.Hargrove. If your near St. Louis it is definately werth stopping by and getting a few pointers.

Also there are some great books out that can help.

[Greg]

For me the hardest part to building a fly rod is the wraps. I can get them to look decent but not almost perfect like most off the rack rod or one built by a custom builder. To me the rest of the build is fairly easy. If I was you I would practice your wraps several times on a piece of graphite or blank before you do it for real.

Also when you put the finish or expoxy over the wraps - do a couple of light coats rather than one heavy coat. A heavy coat wants to run.

Good luck,

Greg

[jay bird]

Thanks guys I will let you know how is goes.

[Bill Butts]

Yo Jason,

Did you intentionally ignore my post (#4) or just forget to reply?

Let me know if you'd like the input I have in mind.

Givin you a hard time

[jay bird]

Sorry Butts I did forget to reply. I know Tim and have talked with him about this a little. I think he will be a great resource. I think we where just going to order some cheap kits from Hook and Hackel and go in halves on the motor, etc. When we have a couple under our belt and I feel comforable with the process then I will think about making a rod out of a decent blank. Some of the blanks are still 300$'s and that is a costley learning curve. I am looking forward to catching a Striper on a fly I tied and a Rod I built. Does any one know who to make fly line?

[Bill Butts]

Sorry Butts I did forget to reply. I know Tim and have talked with him about this a little. I think he will be a great resource. I think we where just going to order some cheap kits from Hook and Hackel and go in halves on the motor, etc. When we have a couple under our belt and I feel comforable with the process then I will think about making a rod out of a decent blank. Some of the blanks are still 300$'s and that is a costley learning curve. I am looking forward to catching a Striper on a fly I tied and a Rod I built. Does any one know who to make fly line?

Jason,

If you are building a Striper/Hybrid/White rod of 6 to 9 wt., let me know and I'll let you know what we've found to be preferable/essential.