Re: [VFB] Rod building

[Jerryphl9]

I started building rods in the mid-80s.  My initial rods were inshore/offshore trolling rigs 20, 30 and 50 LB class, built for myself and a couple of fishing buddies.  I built 10 of them over the years.  All with fancy decorative butt wraps.  I've got at least two dozen spinning rods from ultra light to 10 foot surf sticks under my belt and at least a dozen and a half fly rods.  Latest one was a 9 foot 8 wgt built on a Loomis blank that I use for salt water and heavy fresh water.  My first few fly rods all had the fancy butt wraps, but I've kept the last half dozen simple.  Another distinguishing characteristic of my fly rods is that I don't use snake guides.  I use single foot guides, but not those intended for fly rods. I use single foot SIC spinning guides.  Another habit I have is recycling my fly rods.  My first fly rod, a 7/8/9 wgt(at least that's what they told me) had a long life.  Discovered it didn't cast any of the lines well.  Converted it to a light 9 foot jetty rod.  Handled spots well, didn't budge tog.  Later it became a 7 1/2 foot spinning rod, that came to an untimely end with a beaver lodge encounter.  Still sits in my rod rack, as a 5 1/2 foot jigging rod.  Funny thing is it will still out cast many a store brought rod.   Jerry C "All things considered, I'd rather be in Philadelphia." In a message dated 8/19/2005 8:45:44 AM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I am just curious as to how many people on here are into rod building .  I got into it december of 2003, since then I have built a lot of rods.  So far for myself I have built: 6'6" rainshadow 2 wt (my favorite rod) 7' Dancraft 1 wt (just finished, have not fished it) a 9 ft bamboo 4wt a 5 ft 1 wt bamboo a 10' tiger eye 8/9wt (salmon rod) a 5 piece 9' dancraft 9065 (smallie fishing) a 9 ft matrix 8 wt 3 bass spinning rods and I am starting two 6'6" ultralights (for a buddy) John