1. The vast knowledge obtained from the posts.
2. Micro guides
3. The Fuji GPS
4. The ability to build a light weight rod that out performs anything you can buy off the shelf.

Sorry. mistake on this post.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/09/2020 10:11PM by Ed Kramer.

Thank you for the on-going replies. I would like to hear from the veterans as well, especially concerning the transition from bamboo-to-FG-to-CF. Don’t be shy, let’s all have some informative fun!

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

After 30 some years of building I have learned many things about the hobby/addiction. Number 1, I was, in my early years, too rigid, paint-by-the-numbers and locked into formulas and methods I had read or viewed. It was stressful then and I was always feeling my builds weren't good enough! Then I went to one of those first few 'Big Shows' in North Carolina.. Visited Tom's shop and he was there. He just so 'matter-of-fact' style showed me how to lock down a guide wrap in 2 turns. It set a tone that I have never forgotten! 'How willing great builders are to share their knowledge' and they are not very judge mental. They have been there done that too! Then at those early shows I ran in to the likes of Randy Putter, Mike Barkley, Ralph O Quinn, Bob McKamey, Doc Ski,Rich Forhan, the Batson boys and they were all similar to Tom. If they had the time, they gladly showed you techniques and tips. I enjoy building today so much and consider it a gift to be able to do so. I, and I suspect we, in our building prowess, whatever it may be, are a direct product of all the builders who have influenced us!!!! The longer I build the more I am great full to them. Things that are now profound: 1. My builds are all the BEST I could do at this time! 2. Fancy equipment is NOT a necessity to make a great custom rod! 3. Home made jigs and tools add both ease and great satisfaction to your builds! 4.The more your hands and eyes and coordination are involved and not electric or digital machinery, the more it is truly custom! 5. Each new build is a 'Snowflake Rod' .... beautiful and no 2 the same! Build and enjoy while you can and share what you know with other builders. It is a great hobby!



Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 04/10/2020 11:13PM by Steve Cox.

Steve,
Thank you for taking the time to offer all of us your excellent reply. While technology is required for the advancement of our world, all too often it eliminates or forgets the craftsmanship of yesteryear. I appreciate the beauty and rock-solid performance of almost anything hand-crafted versus cheap things with designed-in planned-obsolescence spit out by machines by the thousands. Things used to be built to last but today they are built to be replaced to increase profits. Actually, automobiles may be an exception.
While there are certainly different levels, all of us rod builders are craftsmen, some more custom than others. But whether building from a kit or growing and harvesting you own cork for a grip, we all craft each rod with our own two hands (and wish we had a third at times). Those are the best rods available.

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

Thanks Mark

The biggest changes in fishing rods since I began fishing have been graphite rods, tip-over-butt ferrules,and epoxy finishes The last big change in guides was well before my time. I had an antique split bamboo fly rod with guides consisting of small rings dangling from keepers - much like the wire hook-keepers found on some of today's rods. The fly line passed through these dangling rings.

Great question and topic!! I am a simple sentimental guy. Some of my most prized possessions are my Pa's Hunting knife, My grandpas screwdriver (at least 100 years old) and other family posessions my hard working Italian family had. So when I build a rod I think ahead 30-40+ years when my kids, grandkids or great grandkids hopefully enjoy these rods and are proud of them. Thanks for the question! Really makes people think of something simple in this confused world right now.