I don't know what's wrong with me, I have a gazillion ideas and it seems no matter what I do lately, it turns out like doo. What I'm going to try and do is go back and make somethign really simple that I know will look nice. What I've been trying to do is force teh issue and do crazy things, colors and wrap wise, and that's just not working at all.

The worst part is, I assume taking a break fora bit would straighten it out. Problem is I havent' been building squat, but I have been doing a LOT of stuff pertaining to Rodbuilding (writing book, preparing for High Point, preparing 2 2 local Gatherings since High Point, and another in 2 weeks). SO I really can't take time off from building...I already proved that didn't work by hardly building last year, lol.

What do you guys do when you get in a rut?

Go Fishing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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!!

I agree with Mike. Get a stripper.Tarpon or redfish on a rod you have built and there is no theropy any better.

Paul@soonercustomrod.com

Paul Lindsey Wrote:
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> I agree with Mike. Get a stripper.

That's one way to go LOL

Good pick up Bob - keep it clean (LOL)

Take up fly fishing. Get a casting lesson and spend some time learning to double haul. That will keep you focused on something new. Then go back and tackle the other things that are a pain at the present time. Seriously, whenever something is bothering me in rod building I take my fly rod go to a nearby pond and spend an hour or so just casting trying to improve my distance and loop control. It is a good way to clear your mind.

Well, fishing is a GREAT idea. I second Mike's suggestion. Remember, that's the reason everyone here got into this stuff in the first place, in all likelihood. I'm not near good enough at this to get in a rut--I'm still dealing with the basic language, like wrapping in/out, up down, X2, +1, etc. I never know when I must use one thread at a time, or can use a band. Last night I actually succeeded in getting something approximating a spider, but could not close the central threads for the life of me.

But enough about my problems. How about trying to figure out a wrap that would somehow look like a cresting, or breaking ocean wave? Or a parrot. Or a palm tree.

Or, what would happen if you made a layout where one layout thread goes up the blank on a spacing that would be roughly a square wrap, but then rather than spiraling down at the same angle, spiral down (toward the butt) at a completely different (elongated) angle. What would happen, other than it probably would be impossible to do a closed wrap!? Would wrapping a pattern on these layout threads result in gibberish? I don't believe I' ve seen a wrap that uses that approach. I've also wondered what would happen if a wrap were made over concentric trim bands, or what would happen if a wrap were made superimposed over a barber pole layout, or a partial one.

By the way, have you heard of fractals? Some of the more intricate wraps in your book look like fractals, or what in the dim reaches of my math studies remind me of fractals.

Anyway, I wouldn't worry about it. Tomorrow you'll get back on track. Sometimes when one has lots of irons in the fire, it's hard to concentrate (or relax) and do justice to 'em all. Relax, catch a fish and have a beer!
Chuck

So i can't spell but it got a laugh

Paul@soonercustomrod.com

I kind of agree with Ellis. I believe when you and I talked at one of the shows you acted like you didn't build many fly rods, that may be just the project to break things up. Of course you could cruise around to where the "serious" builders are and find out how to fry a turkey. If it really gets bad come down and we'll make our way to Texas and bug Andy for a while.

If you were an elk or a bull moose the cure to your defined syndrome would be quite simple! In your specific case, I propose a complete departure from the norm - how about a total black all stealth midnight fish stealer with absolutely no flash. If you did one of the complex 12 axis patterns with all black thread then only you would know what it was supposed to look like!

I'm with Charles,
So many new things to try and other things to master it's hard to get into a rut. That being said, I do at times
get frustrated. Either funds don't allow for the gadget, thread, components, etc. that an idea requires or I'm
stuck waiting for them to arrive or I just can't quite make up my mind on what I want to do next. When this
happens to me I find that if I just fall back to the "basics" for a bit the creative juices flow better. Sometimes
I also find some old fashioned garage sale rod dismantling and destruction relieves stress.


Fish'in never hurts either!

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

I agree with Ellis and Mike. Go fishing ! If you have some pieces laying around, build a fly rod and go try it out. Use the KISS process. And go fishing by yourself. You will be surprised how it can take your mind off all the colors and patterns !

TEQUILA

Regards
Dave

Fishing is Life the rest is just Details

My day job takes my mind off rods and when it is over the rod work relaxes me(along with a cold beer or 4).Maybe you need a day job that gets under your skin more!!!!(lol)

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Ellis........ I liked your theory and decided to try it. Took my flyrod and headed to the closest pond to do some fly fishing. Within three minutes I knew it just wasn't going to work! My feet were getting numb, the fly kept bouncing on the ice and when it would break off, my hands were too cold to tie an Improved Clinch. But my farmer friends got a big kick out of it and told me they got some great pictures. Live and Learn!?!

The secret for me is to do something COMPLETELY different and separate from what is causing the block. I have DOZENS of partially completed rods because I either get stuck in a rut or get another great idea I have to try. My secret is the local shooting range. I used to be a competitive shooter back almost half my lifetime ago. I will take my favorite pistol and a case of ammo and lose myself in ever minute detail of each shot from the grip on the weapon to the trigger squeeze.

A friend does something very similar and goes bowling, someone else goes to the local pub and throws darts.

It amazes me sometimes that when I do this process I often get that necessary, vivid flash of insight that clears the clogs from my plugged up brain and gives me the solution I was looking for. Sorry guys, I don't flyfish, but I can see where trotting out a flyrod and working on casting mechanics could provide the same sort of level of concentration that I am talking about, so could archery of golf for that matter.

just my .02



Derek L. McMaster
Rohnert Park, CA

Born to Fish, FORCED to Work

I guarantee this well straighten your brain out of it howdum feeling. Just think of the honey dooos the wife wants you to do. Right away you well find a grand idea for a new rod design
Good Wraps Bob

Like many others I GO FISHING..........LIKE BILL I HAVEN'T SPENT MUCH TIME BUILDING IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS BUT HAVE DONE SEVERAL OTHER PROJECTS.......I TURNED A LAGE SCOOL BUS INTO A PORTABLE SHOP BUT DIDN'T LET IT GET IN THE WAY OF MY FISHING.......MY HEALTH IS IMPROVING AND STARTING THIS SUMMER I WILL START BUILDING UP IN ALASKA AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS FROM THERE........GOOD TO BE BACK ONLINE.......I HAVE MISSED YOU GUYS........

Big John
Rio Hondo, Texas
Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting

Like many others I GO FISHING..........LIKE BILL I HAVEN'T SPENT MUCH TIME BUILDING IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS BUT HAVE DONE SEVERAL OTHER PROJECTS.......I TURNED A LAGE SCOOL BUS INTO A PORTABLE SHOP BUT DIDN'T LET IT GET IN THE WAY OF MY FISHING.......MY HEALTH IS IMPROVING AND STARTING THIS SUMMER I WILL START BUILDING UP IN ALASKA AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS FROM THERE........GOOD TO BE BACK ONLINE.......I HAVE MISSED YOU GUYS........

Big John
Rio Hondo, Texas
Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting

Bored with rodbuilding ???...Bored with life in general ????

Go run a marathon !!


MaryLou

MaryLou Van de Riet
Weatherford,Texas USA