Need to introduce myself. My name is Jay and I live on the gulf coast in Texas. Recently, I purchased a few cheap blanks to get started with this craft. Looks like you all have a good community here with some helpfull folks. I've got quite a few dumb questions to ask, but I'll save that for another post. Being right on the coast, I have a need for everything from fly rods to offshore broom handles. I love being on the water but can't be there as much as I want, so I need something to keep me engaged with my hobby. Also, plan on turning out some lures on my lathe as well. My first comment, this would be easier if there were only about three sets of guides avalible.

Thanks for reading.

Jay,

Welcome aboard. You will find a wealth of knowledge and experience on this forum. Sounds like you live in a great area for a variety of fishing...you're going to need to build yourself a bunch of rods!

jeremy

Welcome! And if there were only 3 sets of guides available, it would take all the fun out of it =P

Matt Smith
Greensboro, NC

fun heck it drives me crazy. So much to chose from LOL

Bill - willierods.com

Jay,

Welcome to the world of opinions and to a hobby that keeps shrinks in business.

John

Jay...Welcome to the " Addiction ". You are on the right track Jay, as you simply will not find a greater group of Folks who so willingly and in such an unselfish manner share their Knowledge and ask nothing in return. So Welcome Aboard!!! By the way... there are no Dumb Questions!!. it's all part of the learning process. Cheers !!....Wayne

Thanks for the welcome. Looking forward to getting started with the headaches. Looking through the photo galleries, I am very impressed at what can be done with simple thread and sticks. Without going into to much detail, years ago, my work has had to be visually appealing to please the customer, even at the expense of the job not being done right. That never ceases to amaze me. In the last few years, I have been getting into woodwork with decent improvement. That is until last November when I almost cut my left hand completely off at the fingers. Thank God for good surgons, all I lost was the pinky and some range of movement in the rest of the fingers. I really need an outlet to create. Maybe rodbuilding is slightly less dangerous. Anyways, I'll start buggin yall now.

Careful - there is a lot of wood used for handles and seats.

Bill - willierods.com