Well my first rod is complete. I built a 8 and a half foot 5 wt pacbay traditional with a struble reelseat. It turned out pretty well. I made some mistakes but nothing fatal. I had no problems with assembing the handle and seat and affixing it to the blank. But the wraps were very difficult for me. I almost gave up at one point. But I got better and much faster at it towards the end. The rod is not perfect like it would be from a professional builder but it still looks good and I'm sure it will fish well.
Thanks for all the advise and information available on this site. Don't think I could have made it through without it.
In the middle I would have said I would never attempt this again but now I'm contemplating another!
Greg

Congratulations!!! Every rod will get a little better and easier. I look at each one as an enjoyable learning experience.as well as a personal challenge to make the next one better..

Mike

Greg, Don't be too hard on yourself. The first rod and in particular, getting the wrapping and finishing down, take lots of practice. Give yourself some time. When you get a couple more rods under your belt, Maybe you'll want to try some things to correct the mistakes you made on your first rod.

Keep on keepin' on ! ! !

I still think one of the best parts is the first fish on a rod you built yourself. What a sense of accomplishment!

Congratulations to the newly addicted! If you're thinking about it then you will make another one. And you will make it better, and assembly will go quicker because you've now done it once. What I would like (and I think everyone would appreciate) is anything that you've leaned or "invented" along the way. My view of this craft is that new builders tend to be more inventive and discover new techniques because they aren't committed to doing things the same way. Remember to share your trials - some will fail (and those too are valuable lessons).

Greg , don't swett the wrapps .......you will be re wrapping them soon enough. I've re-wrapped the first rod I built 2 times already . It's like a Giunea pig when I want to try somthing different. I still fish with it and it has had 2 different sets of guides, and that rod really opened my eyes to the difference between traditional snakes , and single foot guides with inserts. Thats the fun of doing it your self .Have fun . John

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement. Already planning the next one (rod) in my head.
You're right Steve - I can't wait for the first fish on the rod.

Thanks again,
Greg