Starting to gather components for a 8wt fly rod build, would like to find a fighting butt to match or complement a black, carbon fiber full wells grip. My internet searches are falling short - any and all help is very appreciated!

Many thanks!

I just built a 9wt with a full wells carbon grip and used a Winn grip butt in black. Looks good.

I do not believe you will find them commercially. I have built many to match the custom carbon fiber grips I make. Believe it or not, the butts are more work then the grips!

Mudhole has a short foregrip # FG150 that you could put a small half round cork, black foam, or a coin? on one end that would look pretty good. Your going have to think outside the box. Jaa

Mudhole actually offer two lengths of fighting butts, which they recommend be coupled with EVA butt caps. Should do fine, although Winn black fighting butts might also look swell :-)

Thanks for the suggestions - I might try my hand at making a cf butt, never know 'til you try right?

Appreciated, Mike

I also do a lot of CF work and as Phil says,the fighting butts are more challenging than the full grips. When I do them I make 4 to an 18" mandrel and I do 2 set ups so I have them in stock. They are challenging because of the length it is sometimes hard to get tight pull on the sleeve. Another thing to remember is you are going to have a thru hole so that will need to be capped in some way. If you want a closed off fighting butt that becomes more challenging as extra tooling is required. If you un hide your email I can give you more details about how to do it.

Go to Riley Rods web site for great instructions and materials.

To fill the hole I use a soft rubber interior trim bumper from O'Reiley auto parts store. I wash with alcohol and sand them on the retainer area to make sure mold release compound will not interfere with the adhesion of the structural epoxy I use to fasten them on. No failures with this , have built about 6 rods this way. You'll find these bumpers in a rotating display on the floor that has all kinds of trim retainers in it. OD of the bumper is 5/8 ", so you will want a flat on the back of your part that is at least 5/8 " diameter.

Many of my customers want the butt removable, this complicates the construction even more due to fitting the butt hardware. I use solid eva discs for the end cap and turn it to size and configuration. You can also use rubberized cork rings and plug the hole with automotive panel fasteners which gives a nice finished look.

Thanks so much fellas, I really appreciate the suggestions! I have purchased some of Mike's (Riley Rods) materials to create these, just need to find some time to go at it.

Thanks too Dick, I didn't realize my email was hidden - I'll change that and really appreciate any and all helpful directions!!!