My personal rods are primarily re-cycled or pre owned. I went wreck fishing with a group of guys a while back, and took along my favorite rod (5 1/2 ' two piece bamboo boat rod) and a spiral wrapped 6' Shakespeare boat rod, it was the first time out for the spiral rod. The spiral rod is done in what I call "Cherry Bomb" a special paint scheme I came up with using candy paint, well let me tell you..... the spiral wrap did not go un noticed ,it got a few chuckles at first , (something about leaving it in the sun too long that the guides drooped), then the paint was noticed, and finaly the performance of the rod itself, it pulled its share of wreck fish to the cooler. By the time the trip was over I had an order to do a spiral wrap for one of the guys . I enjoy re-cycling , re-vamping, up- grading, old useable equipment, and it pays off too!
All in all most of my gear is re-done for show and go!!
Larry

I really like to try new stuff and build lots of prototypes. Mostly experimenting with different sets of components in unique combinations - keeps me from getting bored. Since I don't like going into unknown territory on a rod I am building for someone else, I mostly fish with my experiments, prototypes, and sometimes reconditioned or repaired rods that aren't worth anything to anyone except me.

My favorite fly rod I've ever used is the St. Croix 4F864. It suits me perfectly. It's built with a downlocking seat and Fenwick grip. I would not trade it for any fly rod.