I traded a rod with a neighbor for some yard work. He is also retired and has started mowing lawns for some the other old folks in the neighborhood. He came over last night and we designed the rod he would like to have made, chose the thread colors, lengh of rod, action, etc. I am using a casting reel seat with the cut out. I glued a piece of Flex Coat arbor in the front part of the seat and drilled it to fit the blank. Without thinking, I mixed some rod bond and glued the reel seat on the blank. After some time I took the cork rings to measure the length of the rear grip and make sure that the length would be correct. Then it dawned on me that now I would have to glue the grip from the butt end of the rod. Luckily there is not much difference in the od of the blank from the butt to the seat. I have made a lot of mistakes in rod building but this is the first time that I have made this one.

Oops!!! Been there, done that!!

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!!

Don't feel bad Ellis, we all do silly stuff from time to time. Did you ever get to try out the thread I sent?

Not yet Phil. I want to use it on some surf rods but have not had time to work on them. I have been building fly rods mostly.

I feel your pain Ellis! I glued up a seat and foregrip and forgot to put the seat hood on!
Aint the first, wont be the last. Keeps us on our toes that for sure.

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

With me...It is always the ____ winding checks....forget at least one almost every time.



Derek L. McMaster
Rohnert Park, CA

Born to Fish, FORCED to Work

I have done that too, Derek. Then had to build one up with thread and epoxy.

I've done the winding check thing too!! I mosly use cork, so I just painted the end of the cork where the winding check would go and epoxied over it. Turned out great!!

Bill in WV

I've not put the butt on from the end for the "ooops" reason, but often enough to replace damaged butts. Not usually a problem, you can shim the smaller diameter segment with thread if necessary.

I am building a fly rod, my 40th rod and almost wrapped the hook keeper without a winding check. I know I am going to do it someday. I need a check list!!!