I've been fishing for salmon with knuckle busters for years, fly fishing for steelhead, so I figured I might as well have a center pin float rod. I had never even held one in my hand when I decided to build one. I got a 12' Rainshadow 10-20# blank and built it about like I remembered seeing from one trip to the Vedder. Put an Okuma center pin reel on it and went to the river. I think I looked like Charlie Brown trying to figure out that reel. It takes some getting used to. Luckily there was only one other angler in sight and he was too far away to see my ineptness. I fished for about 3 hours with 2 steelhead landed. I let one go and this is the one I kept.

What a thrill. Thats so kewl. Way to go.

Nice going Escapee.
One question, I thought a Knuckle Buster was a Center Pin reel ? If not then whats the difference?

the knuckle buster is a center pin but it is a "mooching" reel, much heavier than a center pin float reel, the float reel has no drag system, knuckle buster has a good drag. Impossible to cast a knuckle buster, nearly impossible to cast a float reel.

You learn something new every day.
Thanks escapee.

Escapee:

When I was quite new to fishing with a centerpin reel I took one with me on the Quinalt. I was fishing with Robin Rhoades. He asked me to show him how it worked and I tried to impress him with how far it would cast. I made a birds nest that would break your heart. Robbin just shook his head and said. I think I will stick with the baitcaster.