I was thinking how I can decorate my fly rod build without adding weight to the rod itself. I was thinking of possibly putting a wrap on the grip itself. I got an EVA full wells for the build, mainly due to cost, but now I think I can make it something more. I was thinking of doing a fade wrap on the grip itself then expoxing it just like you would a butt wrap. Has anyone actually done this? If so, are there any gotchas or should I not attempt at all?

Buy the cheapest cork full Wells grip you can find. Fill in the pits sand smooth and give it a try. Quality cork is not an issue for what you want to do. Might work just fine. The only problem would be is wrapping over the ends of the grip, unless you don’t mind the cork showing at the ends.
Let us know how it turns out,
Norm

Hello Ken.

Are you thinking of doing a fade over EVA?
I would think that the EVA is to soft and if you put epoxy on it you will have problems with air bubbles (not impossible but can be hard to deal with) coming from the foam.
If you can get around the softness, if you prime the foam with paint you can get away from the bubbles.
Another way to get away from the bubbles is to coat the foam with epoxy that is mixed with glitter dust.

I think maybe just graphite arbors you will need glue 2 or 3 end to end to the length you want in the size OD. you want, primed then your wrap & last, the epoxy.

Just a few thoughts, hope they are helpful.


Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Yea..attempting a fade wrap on EVA. I have marbled an EVA previously and it came out awesome. The bubbles weren't a probably at all actually. I just want to try something a bit different without sacrificing the rod itself. I want to do minimal wraps on the guides and nothing decorative on it. Thusly wanting to decorate the EVA itself.

There was an article in RodMaker on this very subject a few years back. "Cord Under Glass" was the title.

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Hello Tom.

It's in volume 18 issue 5 page 16.


Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Whatever you do adds weight.

To achieve the same diameter, you are reducing the diameter of the cork to begin with so the weight trade-off, is less than it would be otherwise. Still more, yes, but not terrible particularly considering where it is located.

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I believe Emory Harry had an article also on cord wrapping cork grips some years ago that went through the whole process.

Hello Spencer.

That article is in Volume 9 Issue 3 Page 10.


Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

The two articles were somewhat different but either can be used to do what you want to do.

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Any added weight will be at the fulcrum of the rod - where your hand is - so any increase in effort will be inconsequential. But it would be easier and much more rewarding to take a few double-haul fly-casting lessons.