I just recieved my weave jig and pattern of the Mad Catfish and was wondering if any of you might have some do's or don'ts before I get started. I'm kinda nervous and don't have any instruction and I do not want to get so fustrated that the jig will end up as kindling.

I do appreciated everyone's help and guildance!

All I can tell you at this juncture would be to get and watch one of the weaving videos or get the Basic Weaving article in Vol. 5 Issue #4 of RodMaker Magazine. Make a practice run on a piece of blank and don't rush yourself. Take your time and try to understand what you are doing and why. A silhouette would be easier to start with than a Color Change weave. You might try an initial first.

Jim is right on 100%. Take your time and quadruple check every movement. Also remember that making mistakes is part of learning. If you have questions it might be best to take a picture. I am available most of the time to give what help I can. Just drop me a line. One other hint is that if you are working off a left list to check it against the graph if you have it. Good luck land keep us posted.

Scott, Seveal years ago I bought Doc Ski's weaving video. I first started out doing simple weaves in one color of thread. I was hesitant to tackle the multicolored ones. I watched the video over and over and practiced some weaves that I got from Doc and some that came with the video. I next bought the Wonder Weaver that Jim Upton developed and a program called PCStitch to make my patterns. With help from these two gentlemen, I can now weave patterns that I would say are presentable. Recently I was a large gathering of fly fishing equipment reps at a local shop. It was one of those try before you buy shows. They were also giving short casting lessons. I took one of my rods that I had done a fly weave on it to cast at the show. Man, you should have seen the reaction that I got from that weave. They took my rod and passed it around. It really made me feel good about my work. So don't let it get you down in the beginning. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day, I wasn't the foreman on that job.

Scott .Go for it . It is fun to do .You got two of the best teacher.Jim and Doc . check out there videos.

Scott,
I purchased Doc,s DVD on advanced weave and can highly recomend it as a great instructional tool, apart from that Doc has always been kind enough to answer my emails and questions. The end results are worth to have your own custom rod be patient go for it you wont regret the time spent even if you make some mistakes