Hello to all and I hope you find this a pleasant departure from the typical questions and answers. Please find photos in the photo section under Miscellaneous, Mark’s Mini Spiral Wrapped Rod. I apologize for the quality of the photos but such is the best I can afford.
My simple hope is that all of you find this project entertaining and possibly chuckle-enhancing. While light-hearted from a serious, practical aspect and I doubt it will become my go-to rod, I will fish it in the Sierra for trout and may just take it on some tuna trips just for the amusement factor. We all need to do little things to keep ourselves and others around us amused or life can become a real drag (not to be confused with a “reel drag” which is a braking mechanism within a fishing line holding apparatus)!
Specs: 32in long, 0.8 oz (2.7oz with spooled reel attached), KB 5 stripper, size 2 runners of unknown brand (courtesy of Norman Miller), MC 4.5 tip top (would have preferred a 4.0 LG but had this one in stock), Tennessee handle comprised of really nice cork Norman purchased for me at the Expo and incorporating my own tapered, woven carbon/Kevlar slip rings (I couldn’t find a small enough conventional reel seat for the tiny Diawa reel anyway). The reel was purchased in Japan 30 years ago by a good friend (RIP) visiting relatives and given to me upon return. While we may not consider them worthy, apparently these micro reels are quite prevalent in Japan. The blank is a leftover tip section of a vintage Conolon blank used as a donor to produce spigots for another build. I have found by positioning the stripper at 25-30* and the next guide 165-170* off vertical/top, I can essentially get the line to the bottom in a very short distance, the line flows in the straightest path both in the X and Y orientation, and the line does not touch the blank.
This site and many of its members, Tom K. in particular, are responsible for introducing me to spiral wrapped rods. I have acknowledged and experienced the profound benefits. I am on a crusade to enlighten and convert as many as possible out here on the left coast. For whatever reason, it continues to be a hard sell out here.
So there you go, like it or laugh at it (hopefully both). ENJOY!!! One way or the other, hopefully it sparks many comments to follow!

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Hate to break the news, but Chris Ward has been building tiny rods for at least 20 years. Hopefully you can get some fish on the one which you built

Is this rod the subject of your Muy.Muy micro tip post?

Billy,
It is comforting to learn I am not the only one afflicted with the desire to build such. What does Chris use for reels? I have caught a trout with the reel years ago but haven’t had the opportunity to employ this rod.
Lynn,
Si, bueno.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Most important question is how does it cast?
Norm

Norman,
I am confident you are not questioning the casting distance due to the spiral wrapped guides. Casting distance is always a major concern and it has been observed the shorter the rod the shorter the casting distance; a 32in rod will not cast as far as an 84in rod. Unfortunately, I have a much larger issue with this set-up; the Diawa Coronet Mini reel is a “Knuckle-Buster” in that it only employs an on-or-off anti-reverse with no drag or free-spool. With the handle being directly connected to the spool, letting line out turns the handle as well (obviously in reverse) which severely limits casting distance. These reels were designed for simply dropping the bait straight down/vertical jigging (or similar with the technique the girl employed in Roger Wilson’s post below this one). Before taking it fishing, I plan on making a thumb-nut to replace the lock-nut holding the handle to the shaft so that the handle can be removed for casting then somewhat quickly remounted; without the unbalanced rotational weight, it should cast much further. Thumbing the spool through the small opening will be interesting if not challenging.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Boy, casting that rod sounds like a chore. I was just wondering how the line ran through those tiny guides. What the heck are you going to use it for? Or is it going to just be a conversation piece. Might be a fun rod if you had a decent reel.
Norm

Norman,
The main reason I built this rod is simply because I can, thanks to all I have learned from many, you included, on this site. Secondly, the gracious gifts from you and my Japanese friend deserved to be used, especially in memory of my friend. While admittedly not last on the list, the shock and/or fun-factor aspect, “conversation piece” as you said, made building it enjoyable while anticipating the rod producing many smiles down the road.
This rod/reel will work fine as is for vertical jigging from a boat in the Sierra for trout. You are certainly correct in that casting it any reasonable distance will probably be a “chore” with having to remove the handle and remount it after the cast. I am still pondering the possibilities. I agree a “decent reel” would be preferred which is why I asked Billy Vivona what reels Chris Ward employs on his mini rods. Hopefully Billy replies.
I do not foresee any problems with the line (probably 2#, possibly 4#) flowing through the miniscule #2 guides. The only problem with the guides is wrapping them; I hated wrapping each and every one lol!
In the meantime, I hope the rod and reel puts smiles on people’s faces. And, yes, I will most certainly fish it and will most certainly have a smile on my face!!!

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Drill a hole in the ice and you're all set! Nice job!

They do make UL casting reels they are called Bait Finesse System (BFS) reels. They are extremely light but come with a hefty price tag.
Norm

Lynn,
Love your response! You are often entertaining and your reply is a prime example! Unfortunately, the only ice I can find out here in LALA Land is at ice skating rinks and they would probably frown on drilling.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.