I saw perhaps one of the finest fishing rods I have ever seen today. It was wrapped in orange and black, her school colors. The guides were not quite aligned and gaps were present in the guide wraps as if the rod makers eyes were dim. The butt wrap and trim were snarled as if the connection between the fingers and mind were failing. The inscription said simply “Rachel” in silver sharpie and the shadows of several attempts at a legible name were evident.

Rachel beamed with pride as she showed me the new rod that Grandpa made special for her. It is Grandpas last rod I’m afraid, he is very ill and not expected to pull through. I think he will leave his granddaughter a priceless treasure

I feel your pain Bob,

I hope Grandpa fools the doctors and everyone else and will be around for a long time!

Wishing the best to you and yours.

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

Thanks for sharing that, Bob. Really appreciated. I'd made my grandson (well, 1st born grandson) a rod a while back and he finally caught his first walleye on it yesterday. He's still beaming about it.

Thanks again,

Putter
Williston, ND

rachel will love that rod for the rest of her life. i know i would.

eric
fresno, ca.

A real treasure and a lifetime of memories

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!!

Thank you for sharing Bob. I have not built a rod yet for my G-daughters since they are still quite young ( 7, 4 and 1). But I think that now will be a summer goal for me. My thoughts / prayers are with you.

That is definitely a priceless treasure and a wonderful memory for Rachel.
Thanks for sharing it with us Bob.

It will fish better than any other rod in the world.

GRANDPA GAVE HER PART OF HIMSELF. WHO HE IS AND WHAT HE WAS. THAT'S A VERY SPECIAL GIFT, MONEY CERTAINLY COULDN'T BUY ANY BETTER.

Thank you for sharing Bob.

A fantastic Grandfather...
A loving Grandchild...
What more may anyone want from life ?
May your line always be tight in your journeys

Fred





Tight Lines
Tight Wraps
Fishin'Stix by Fred

thank you for sharing, it brought a tear to my eye.

Bob My fondest memory as a child was with my grandfather (god rest his sole) fly fishing and the first rod i ever built was with him. You see we both read about this wonderful new material used for fly rods and neithher one of us could afford it. It was called graphite. So we both sent away to fenwick for a fenwick ferlight graphite and they came with a catalog containing directions on how to wrap a rod all the components and thread. Well we spent countless hours one winter in his library working and laughing and talking as we built those rods. To this day fly fishing and rod building always seem to make me think of him as i just know he is here with me. Thanks bob for reminding us all what it's all about.
billy

OK who is grandfather, and what is his relationship to Bob?

Rachel works where I do, sorry I wasn't real clear. I really touched me how proud she was of her Grandfather for building that for her. She has been wanting use it since she got it so I guess I'll try to get her into a springer. It is hard to express the excitement in her eyes. I got to thinking back on some of the rods I built years ago for my family and some of the folks I built for. I saw some of the same glimmer in their eyes too. Back then I did not recognize it but I guess I have matured now.

thanks for sharing that with us bob. my grandpa never built me a rod, but i would give anything to go fishing with him just one more time.
dave daniels.

Nice post Bob. I've made rods for my wife and kids and they love using them. My daughter is interested in building a rod, so I've started working with her on an Ice fishing rod. I'll have her wrap a couple of guides, turn the cork, install the handle, and apply the finish. She's busy figuring out what colors to use and has been practicing wraps on dowels. Should be fun.