Posted by:
Steve Lynas
(---.gtcust.grouptelecom.net)
I have built and am in the process of building my second Salmon/Steelhead rod with the Skamania style handle. The one that is built is 9'6" Rainshadow IST 1143F. The beauty of building your own rod is you build it to suit your style of fishing, therefore since I am most comfortable using my Shimano Stradic spinning reel that is the reel I use on my pole. So to answer your question no I haven't built a 10' spinning rod but I have built a 9'6" with the skamania style handle. In my opinion the skamania style handle allows me to hold the rod just above the reel for a better feel and comfort and it also allows the reel to act as a counter balance on hook set. You can really set the hook quick with the snap of your wrist. The skamania style handle is very comfortable to fish with and you are never poking yourself in the ribs, as can be the case with the longer style rear handles. For my build I choose a St Croix Handle Kit SG-18N. The only thing that I will be watching for on this new build is the placement of my stripping guide. Recently I have noticed that the line on retrieval has been slapping the back of my hand. It only seems to happen when there is too much slack in my line, but none the less I asked the question a week ago on this site about possible fixes and if your interested you should search under author, my name and you will read what has been suggested. If you decide to build a Skamania Style handle be aware of the height of your reel and where your hand is compared to the line coming off your spool. I used a #30 stripping guide and it has been suggested that a smaller or taller framed guide placed in a different location might have eliminated my problem. So just experiment with stripping guide placement a little to both optimize your blanks natural curvature during a load and the distance the line is from the back of your hand upon retrieval.
