Hi Guys:

My best buddy is turning 50 in a couple of months. He is an avid fly fisherman and I thought I would wrap him up a nice 5 WT fly rod. I was thinking of some gold eyes and some gold writing on the blanks. Any other ideas to make it special?
Thanks

If you read the article in RodMaker that featured Terry Henson, you might recall how he makes rods special by doing something that personally connects the rod to the user. If your buddy went to a particular school that he still has fond memories of or ties to, you might incorporate those colors. Was he perhaps in a branch of the military or did he participate in some business or civic group that has strong memories for him? If so, a wrap or inlay that features certain colors or insignias might do the trick. Anything you do that will cause him to remember something personal each time he takes the rod out will make it all the more special to him.

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You also might consider a rod that he doesn't have now that he might use if he did have it. I bet if he's an avid fly fisherman, he's got a 5 wt now. If you've fished with him and he complains about a particular rod, then you might replace it with a special one you've built.

And then, by all means apply the special features that Tom mentions above to make it even more unique and a gift he will always cherish.

Terry

Lets say your buddy was born in '1959". I sometimes go to a 'Stamp and Coin' shop and purchase a penny of the same date when someone was born. A 1959 won't cost much. I then inlay it in the butt piece of the rod. If you want to get even fancier you can feather inlay the guys initial over that. Makes it really special and only takes a couple more hours.

Maybe a nice Grim Reaper weave on the butt. LOL

Regards
Dave

Fishing is Life the rest is just Details

Thanks guys! Good suggestions!

Ross

Send me your e-address and I'll send you a photo of a neat 40th anniv. rod I made for our fly fishing club where I had the reel seat laser engraved.

Wayne

andersenre@gmail.com thanks