Hi There everyone,

I'm brand new to this forum and just wanted to say hello. I've been getting into rod building recently and am currently working on my first actual wrap on a rod (it was all dowells before that). I have been getting tutored by Doc Ski recently and he has been so nice and patient with me. I look forward to learning from everyone here and am glad I found a place on the web with such a wealth of knowledge and such helpful/friendly people.

Take care, Jeff Shields
Austin, Texas

Welcome aboard Jeff,,,,And you are being tutored by the master !

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

Talk about lucky!!!!Doc is one of the most respected and recognised builders out there.Welcome and dont be afraid to ask questions.We all started out new one day!!

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Jef, How do you rate???? Doc is one of the best, as well as a great guy!!

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!!

Hi Mike,

I'm not sure how I rate at this point. I've been practicing for about three months now and am currently working on my first actual rod. I'm going to be going to Manzanillo, Mexico and figured why not make a tuna stick to take along. I'll post up some picks of my work as soon as I can borrow a camera that can do decent close-ups. I also have a really good friend that is getting into the hobby/addiction with me at the same time so we have been kind of pushing each other to try new things. Butt wraps are my favorite so far. Guide wraps are still painful for me. Haven't even attempted weaving yet (figured I would walk before I tried to fly) And don't even get me started with marbelizing.... even after watching Putters DVD, mine turn out looking more like a terd than a flame.... ;-). Thanks for all the support everyone.

Jeff Shields



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/28/2007 03:23PM by Jeff Shields.

After 26 years of rodbuilding, guide wraps are STILL painful for me, too...

Putter
Williston, ND

Thanks Putter, that makes me feel better. Guess it would have been smarter for me to start on a little bass rod or something, but my first real guide wraps are on heavy duty aftco roller guides.... Let's just jump right in and make it as difficult as possible for myself.... and I wasn't even a Marine.. ;-).