Well, after a few practice wraps on an old blank I couldn't wait any longer!! I've learned so much from reading the posts on this site, and from my visit to a local rod wrapping professional (thanks Jesse) I just had to get started. I now fully understand where this addiction comes from, and am already planning my next rod! I would welcome the board's comments/suggestions....the pic can be seen at

[www.fishingphotos.net]

Not that I've ever experienced this, but it would seem that crack cocaine and caffeine are only the second and third most quickly forming addictions.

looks nice. should look really good once you apply thread wrap epoxy.

eric
fresno, ca.

Bruce,
Welcom to the addiction!
Very nice first project btw.
Keep up the good work.


Fred Crum
Dixon, Ca.

Thanks for making me want to set myself on fire. That is really nice work for your first wrap!!! I've built a few rods now and that is prettier than anything I've done, for sure. Good job.

-Nick Dazer
Portland, Oregon

Don't set yourself on fire yet.....I didn't mention how many times I screwed-up....cutting the wrong thread at the end of a wrap, running out of thread during an underwrap, etc, etc.

Bruce,Nice work,You are sure to love evne more when the finish goes on.As with anything you get better the more you do it and you are starting out at a pretty high rung on the ladder.
One thing I did notice is that the guide seems to not be perpendicular to the blank.I have run across this after guide prep and have had to "adjust "the guide feet to bring it back into spec.Yuo should be able to do this with your fingers(bend it carefully).Not sure it I would wait until its coated or not to do this.sometimes the thread will pop loose from the stress.Others may offer some suggestions as to do this properly.Again awsome job!!!










Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Wow! Your way ahead of me man. Nice job.

Great job Bruce. The only way to learn is to waste thread. I have no idea how many spools of thread I've gone through learning. Keep up the practice, it pays off.

Hank
On The Rocks Fishing
Wells, ME.

Thanks for all of the nice comments! To Fred; I did notice the eye was leaning a bit forward, and when I tried to straighten it during guide prep, the front foot kept lifting-up. I may try to bend it some after I flex coat it, but with my luck I'll pop the ring out of the guide. It really isn't that noticeable on the rod itself, the zoom of the camera makes it stick out. Again thanks to everyone for the encouraging comments, and believe me, the wrap wouldn't have looked this good without me finding this forum!

I'm not purchasing this story... this can't be a first wrap. This is nicer than custom rods I've seen being sold.... sorry not believing it.

-Sam

I'll take that as an extreme compliment Samer. You are right of course, it's not my first wrap. I did two practice underwraps on an old blank, then double wrapped an old guide onto the same old blank...so technically this is my fourth wrap.

You should... do you do lessons?

It must be the magnified lamp that I purchased at the local Office Depot. It shows every flaw in a wrap, so you can correct it before it's too late.