Any of you guys build your own rods, attempted building one. I am thinking of picking up a loomis blank. I have the Amato publication on rod building. It seems like I may be able to do this. Any horror stories? Advice? Thanks for the help.

Addict:

I gave up buying built rods about 15 years ago and have built all of mine since. I am no pro by any means but have built enough to offer some humble advice. This advice is definitely not the gospel but is based on mistakes I made learning the hard way. Take it for what it is worth!

1) Don't tape the butt of your blank to take up the slack for a handle with too big a hole. Some manufacturers have been guilty of this and over time the tape will fail and you will have a loose handle. When buying the cork for your handle, get one with a hole too small then auger it out until you have a tight (but not super tight) fit. This will ensure the epoxy adheres evenly up and down the blank and handle.

2)File down the ends of the feet of your guides; kind of like a wedge shape. When wrapping the thread and you get to the end of the feet of the guide it will make for a smooth transition when going from the feet to the blank. Some guides come this way, some need filing.

3) Use color coat on your wrappings before varnishing. Some guys skip this step but it will lock the threads in place as well as preserve the color-only takes a short time; might as well do it.

4)Line up your guides on the blank before wrapping. It can be tricky and usually takes 2-3 tries to get them just right-depends how picky you are. Just remember anything less than perfect will mean line resistance when you cast-resulting in a shorter cast with more effort. Some guys tape 1 foot to the blank, others use rubber cement. I use tape because it is more forgiving when making adjustments.

5) I recommend using "flex-coat" for the finish on your wrappings. It is a one application coating, lasts well, and is easy to use. Just don't let it sit once mixed. Apply it right away.

6) find some way to turn your blank as the coating is drying. This will eliminate drooping on one side. If you don't have a machine, turn it 180 degrees every 10-15 minutes for about 3 hours. This is what I do because I don't have a machine either and it works fine for me.

Whew! That's all.

Good luck

I'd recomend you don't get into the rod building buisness. Unfortunatly I did and I'm constantly broke. I tend to build about three rods a year for myself and a few others for friends. I'm starting to build rods for situations I'll probally never encounter. I've built about ten rods for myself in the last three years at about two hundred dollars per rod. I'm just wondering what kind of fishing trip I could have sent myself on for two thousand dollars. If you start building for yourself beware. There's always a better rod to be built. Fish on!

thanks you guys. Eric I appreciate your reply. I am just now a payday away from a new hobby!!!

I would have to sell 4 rods each day 365 days a year inorder to support my family from this business. This is a hobby, one that gets expensive at times, but it is a hobby.
SBC is right, I have 6 Loomis fly rods now, I fly fish... maybe 3 weekends each summer... there is always a better rod to be built.. it never stops. Just ask my wife

TH
www.thcustomrods.com

Go cheap on your first couple of blanks. The high dollar rods are not cheap to build. If you screw it up you won't be out that much cash. I have to agree about it getting addictive and spendy. Fly rods are my weakness and I have way to many "if thats possable"