World Rod Complete - Guides

It has been a LONG journey in many ways but the World Rod started by Mark Blabaum a long time ago is now done. I was the last to add to this masterpiece and it took a while since I have been so sick, lame and lazy(old military line). My original plan was to do something way out with Matt but our schedules never seemed to jive and I decided to just do something more mainstream. This project got its start in Marks head(now that is SCARY), pretty sure on line and grew legs. It started it's journey when the parts left Batsons in Washington headed for my house. Next leg of the trip was to head out to Mark Blabaum in Wisconsin. Now we all know Mark is the Wizard of Wood(not substantiated by his wife LOL) and he did not disappoint. This handle is too cool for words so just gaze at the pics and wish. From there it went to Owen Dare in Australia which is quite the jaunt. Owen the Pictoweave program designer put his skills with computer and thread to stay in theme with the handle and made the most impressive funnel weave spider I have ever seen. He nailed it and then he assembled Marks handle. From there it went on another long voyage(litterally) to Jorge Pozzobon in Brazil. Jorge put paint to work to do a 360 degree painting also staying in the Spider and web theme. Next it goes back north of the Equator to Chris Ward in England. Can you imagine all the stamps on the case by now? Chris got to work on the guides and came up with and "outside the box idea". Actually I have never seen the technique but it worked great on this build to continue to bring in the spider web idea. It is almost like one of JT Dragon scales only inside out. Chris then sent it to me where I thought and thought. The work already done on this masterpiece was incredible. I finally decided not to try to out do anyone but thought a Tribal Spider would work to keep this puppy Classy. Originally it was going to be raffled off at the rod show out here but I decided this is REALLY Marks conseption and I want him to decide on it final resting place. Hope he is still thinking raffle. Also we need to recognize the support of Jim Lueck for graciously supporting the project by picking up the shipping charges. Believe me that was no cheap bill. I dont know where else you could get so many to put so much effort into a project like this----that's the rod building world I am proud to be a part of. Enjoy the pics folks.