My first attempt at rod making is on the rod dryer and curing nicely. I am very pleased with the result and grateful to the contributors of this board. Whether people know it or not, many of the posts that are put up here helped out in some way or another. The rod took a little longer than I had anticipated but most of that was due to the learning curve and figuring out new concepts. My biggest suprise is the result. I think I have done a better job than other rods I have that I paid someone to make for me...wish I would have started doing this years ago.
I made this rod a spiral wrap and I am very curious to give it a try, I can't wait to get on the water!

Curtis Beers

You're officially hooked now!!!!!!!

As you learn, i encourage you to share what you learn with others on this site! I have learned so much from the people on this site that I feel that it is only fair to "pay back".

Thanks again to Tom Kirkman for providing this incredible resource!!!

Mike

Uh - Oh. Another addict!

I don't believe that it's your pride talking.....I have no reason to doubt that the rod in your dryer is better than most that you could buy. My dissatisfaction with what I was able to buy is what got me started. I soon realized that I was right about the quality and that I was having fun. I've never stopped. If you're like the most of the rest of us who make following this board at least a once daily ritual, you'll look for an excuse to build another, and another, and another.....

and another, and another, and another! I hope you have an understanding wife!
Welcome to the club! Please post some pics! Even if the rod is not "fancy" you
should be proud of the accomplishment.

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

I posted a picture of the rod. I chose to use wood because I don't like foam and I wanted to do something distinctive and different. The wood does not add greatly to the weight and the action of the rod is very crisp. Calstar blanks are fast and not much flex is in the butt section. The rod has a good solid feel and a nice balance. I think I will make several more.

Curtis Beers

Curtis,

Very nice rod! Are you sure it's your first???

Mike

I swear it's my first!!!!!
Although many years in a machine shop and building airplanes helped I think.

Thank you for the compliments.

On to the next one, and the next one...

Curtis Beers