Hello,

I have been reading up on this site for almost year. Last summer, I purchased a few blanks, reel seats, and grips. I do still need to get guides yet. I purchased these with the intent of building some nice rods for myself during the winter months. As of now, I will be having plenty of free time now that work is slow. So I would like to begin building my rods.

I am looking for someone within an hour or two away from Portage that can show me how to build a rod correctly. I am a hands on learner, and learn best with the project in front of me and someone explaining what I am doing and how I am doing it. Once I can get a run through the first time, I can easily understand the process and what I am reading in the books as I read them.

So if anyone is willing to help me get started I would greatly appreciate it. I can supply food, beer, lunch out, or cash for the help. Once I learn what I all need, I can then purchase the equipment necessary and set up an area in my little shop. I have a space already cleared for my new hobby!

Also, if anyone wants to throw out some tips to look for when starting up, like what to purchase, what to stay away from, which books are must have reads, things you would have done differently when you first started, and whatever else, I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks,
Ben

Tom won't promote it but get a copy of his book, "Rod building guide". It will walk you through the steps and will be a resource you can go back to for years to come. Check the sponsor at the left.
As for what I would have done differently in the beginning, get a subscripition to Rodmaker magazine and keep it current (that's what I did wrong). It is a great resource and it will more than pay for itself.

I have no idea where this would be in relation to you but I dug this up from the tackleworks.org website directory.


B&B Custom Flies and Rods
Custom Rod Building, Rod Repair
rodmaker@dotnet.com
811 Eureka Street
Ripon , WI , 54971

Ben, if you're willing to drive to Madison, I'll be happy to help you out.

Dave Fowler
dkfowler82@gmail.com

I second what Victor said.
Get "Rod-Building Guide" by Tom Kirkman, ISBN #: 1-57188-216-2, published by Frank Amato Press.
Plenty of the retailers on the left have it. It will be the best 15 bucks that you ever spent on this hobby.
I literally read the book cover to cover 4 times, then sat down and built my first rod about 6 years ago.....
Jon

Ben, I live an hour south of you, but my weekends are spoken for until the end of March. If I can help answer any questions please contact me at hellsangler@live.com or if you can wait until April let me know and I'll see what we can work out. Mark

Thanks for the help!

I will order the book Tom wrote tonight. I also looked into subscribing to RodMaker Magazine. I want to do this long term as a hobby, so I want to make sure I take the right steps from the beginning. I find a lot of beautiful rods that have been crafted by many, and look forward to eventually getting to that level! I find great satisfaction in creating something and then using it.

I will get in touch with you guys that are close to me about meeting up. I would like to get views from as many people first hand as I can, to learn what small things each person does differently.

Thanks guys,
Ben

Ben,
I live in madison and have been professionally buidling custom rods for more than 10 years. You can find me on lake-link.