Hello All. First time posting on this great board.

I didn't go to Charlotte last year, but plan on going this year.

My question is this. Is everything available there to build fly rods, meaning not only blanks, but components, cork, handle, guides, etc. as well.

I want to build a 4pc 8wt and 11 or 12 wt and was wondering if is worthwhile to wait to until the end of Feb. or if those items are not available that is a month I could going ahead and build these rods by ordering from one of the board sponsors.

Thanks

Trey

Chances are, if they make it for rod building, you will be able to buy it at the show. You are in for an amazing treat. You can also contact any of the sponsors that will be there and I'm sure they would be glad to bring anything in particular that you want and save you the cost of shipping.

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Your problem will be choosing amongst all of those possible components to build that rod; there's so much of all of this, you're gonna be boggled... LOL!!

Putter
Williston, ND

I had to chuckle to myself just a little when I read your post. Trust what these guys are telling you - anything and everything that is produced for custom rod builders will be for sale in Charlotte. Well... there might be a few items that aren't there, but not very many. It doesn't matter if you want a particular type of grip, finish, guide style or type or size, or even a rod wrapping lathe or jig, it's all there. In fact, there is no place in the world what will have more rod building supplies than the National Rod Builders Show next month. I'll go so far as to say that you probably won't have time to see everything there.

One last note - we expect something along the lines of 7,000 to 8,000 rod blanks to be on hand this year. Does that tell you anything about the size and scope of this event?

...............

Off the top of my head, I know the exact components you are looking for were in Charlotte last year at Ron Schneider's Rod Shop booth, the Mudhole booth, Custom Tackle Supply's booth, and the Donart booth. Plus Blanks & cork grips were available from the LAmar Booth. You could also see someof the new products in guides & reelseats from PAc Bay, Amtak, Rainshadow, Flex Coat & U 40. I'm sure I missed someone, which I apologize. St. Croix had a display of I dunno 30-40 new blanks?

We'll have at least 1500-2000 blanks in our booth alone, plus new finish, cork rings, grips reelseats, a new adhesive product as well as some really cool tools....and more?

I am also hoping to have 2 CTS fly blanks built for you guys to test cast

Andy Dear
Lamar Mfg.

Would the viewers of this board please identiy those items that you would not expect to see in Charlotte. If there is ANYTHING that has been overlooked send me a personal email and we just might try to accomodate you. Under no circumstances are you to copy Mr. Dear with this request.

Gon Fishn

There were no headband magnifiers at the Charlotte show last year.

Putter
Williston, ND

There will be this year. In fact, there will be one vendor with nothing but lights and magnifiers for rod building work.

................

I feel guilty about this sometimes since they arent a board sponsor, and while I'm going to Charlotte to among other things find alternatives to the blanks I currently use, I'm a bit partial to the Cabela's fish eagle II casting blanks 'cause thats all I've chanced upon so far for that kinda money - I can afford them AND they do what I want with at price AND style that I cant find a match for...YET. Also I do worry about wasting money on blanks/ shipping, etc that I havent seen touched before. But I guess Cabela's doesnt participate :( so I won't find these at Charlotte. Anyway, you asked. PS - I do get ALL my other building supplies from Sponsors on this board, as I'm sure they can attest to (as well as my credit card company) , and I'm phsyched to be going to Charlotte!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/24/2006 11:40AM by Steven Libby.

Cabelas could have gotten booth space if they wanted, but they didn't. And nobody is going to blast you for mentioning them. Cabelas is a reputable company that offers good products.

The only thing I would say, is that there are equally good blanks for the same or often less money, available from many of the sponsors and from nearly all the dealers who will be in Charlotte. I feel more than a little confident that you'll find many blanks to your liking, and in your price range, at the big show.


.............

I combined Bill Stevens request for what won't be there, with Putters mention of a headband magnifyer, and the general love for Beer all Rodbuilders seem to have, to wonder why nobody has thought about taking this and adding a headlamp magnifyer to it:

[engsoc.queensu.ca]

Come on. you guys gotta think outside the box once in a while, lol.

ROFL - Why does that beer look like grape juice?!?!?

Wow. Thanks for all the responses.

I guess the consensus is that I may get lucky and scrape together enough parts to put a rod together. LOL

Trey, just bring your smile ( and lots of money!).

Putter
Williston, ND

You can probably just pick up enough stuff off the floor, dropped by rod builders on the way out to their cars, to build a dozen rods.

I'm joking of course, but the amount of product on display and the amount actually purchased is going to amaze you. I watched guys toting armloads of blanks and sacks of components out of the hall, only to see them back an hour later carrying additional armloads of goods out the door. We know for a fact that no less than $60,000 worth of blanks and components were purchased on the show floor last year. That should give you some sort of idea how much stuff is there.

..................

Billy,
Looks like a great seller for the N.E.R.B.'s nooth

Mike

I hope all the looters that robbed our boats after Katrina do not hear of all the booty in the parking lot at Charlotte.

Gon Fishn

There were girls in the Parking lot in Charlotte? Where was I? They must've been spokewomen for the Log Cabin show. Add that to your list of things missing.