i have been checking out this site for about 4+ months now,this is my first time posting as a member. i have been at building for less than a year and have found some very helpfull info here.thanks to all who ask and give the answers.i have read alot of the posts on many subjects here,learning as i go.i am sure there will be many questions to come.thanks.

Welcome aboard Ken. Your comments reminded me of a trip I once took to Chichen Itza to view the Mayan ruins. The tour guide was giving us the nickel tour and I told him that he sure did know a lot about Mayan history. He turned to me and said, "What I don't know I make up." So, we may not know everything about rod building, but what we don't know we'll make up.
Cheers, Ellis

AND if what we make up is wrong - some one will correct us

lol,, yep i am making them up as i go. just kidding.i have done lots of reading first.i have alot of new rods due to this new hobbie.i actually sold a few to my fishing buddies for enough to pay for a new rodsmith wraper.i would like to sell a few more but i have had this problem of wanting to fish with them instead.i have been trying a few blank companies out.forecast make some nice stuff for the price.i have built and fished with their rod, i made 3 steelhead rods 8' 6" 8 to 17 lb. rated and 2 salmon rods 8'6" 12 to 25 lb. rated with forecast blanks.i like them alot.they have been straight and strong.as i have read on here.i too have had problems with cork both price and being able to get it when i need it..i have been using the burl cork on the last few. though it is a little heavy it is a nice product.on one rod i needed to build for a fishing trip.i didn't have enough of either so i used all the scrap pieces of burl that i had. i needed a 8'6" bait casting rod for steelhead. so i did a split rear grip on a rainforest 8-12 lb rated blank.i know its not a new idea but i did it differently than i have seen most done.i really liked how it fished and looked.i have made a few that way since then.a month ago.now all i need to do is learn all the detailed wraps.like i have seen on the picture site.dang such neet work.also the worst is having bubbles come out in the flex coat.i have tried so many of the tips,i have seen and read but perfecting it may take a little time.some come out so nice and just when i think i figured it out .some come out with micro bubbles that you only see in the sunlight.it makes me so bummed.i get frustrated and want to give up. especially after spending so much time on a nice wrap.can you only post pix. on the picture site or can you post them here too?

Its almost like doing auto body work, there was a saying of - I have done so much - with so little - for so long - that now I can do everything with nothing LOL



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/10/2005 10:56AM by bill boettcher.