Newbie, wrapped stripper guide and was about to start 2nd guide when I saw the winding check set aside to place on rod.......the hard part of rod building is the guide wrapping for me. I still feel clumsy even after 8 builds.

YOU COULD DO THREAD AND FINISH THERE IN PLACE OF WINDING CHECK

Most of my rods have no winding check, if you do a good job of finishing the blank to grip connection there is no need for one.

Most of my rods have no winding check, if you do a good job of finishing the blank to grip connection there is no need for one.

I thought about leaving it off, but its a smoke knurled check to match the reel seat. DA mistake. And, these trim bands are a PITA!

Slate rod, smoke REC reel seat. Thought Garnet wrap with silver metallic would look great with silver snake guides. I'm rethinking the trim bands.

Stan, rewrapping the stripping guide will take some time. But that amount of time is nothing when compared to how long you’ll look back and wonder why you didn’t go back and install the winding check. It sounds like you did a great job of selecting complimentary components for this rod. It deserves to be built out as originally designed.

"The greatest barrier to discovery is not ignorance, it's the illusion of knowledge" - Daniel J. Boorstin

Stan,
You have just confirmed you are like everyone else; you make (forgetful) mistakes at times. I commend your honesty. The sign of a true craftsman is one who can not only cover-up a mistake, but make it better than originally planned. Ponder over it for a while before removing the stripper. David and Spencer have offered valid thoughts to consider. On the other hand, Jeff has offered a valid point as well. If it were me and since only the stripper has been installed, I would bight-the-bullet and remove the stripper to enable installation of the winding check; it is only one guide! Yes, I have admittedly been in similar situations. Use it as a learning experience and to get more comfortable with wrapping guides. Personally though, I prefer to save the weight and cost of trim such as winding checks and would follow David’s and Spencer’s approach/solution. Let us know what you decide.

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

OK, we're on the same page. I removed stripper last night and rewrapped. Yes, I installed that stupid wind check first. I need to post some photos here, I'm not half bad at this.

With a rubber one I sliced it apart with a razor blade, put in on, and you couldn't really notice it was cut. I know how you feel, though. When I first started to wrap rods it would be a big deal to wrap one over for a fix. But, as I got better I don't hesitate to remove a guide an re-wrap so I'm satisfied. You got good advice here, as always. We all make mistakes.

A lot of this is simply frustration with this virus stuff, economy, etc. Everyone hates a routine until out of one.....

My first couple rods I would just leave it as is but as stated by others, you get more comfortable as you build more rods. If I forgot something, or its not quite right, I wont hesitate to remove the guide and re-do. I actually have a Striper rod that I completely removed all the guides, and butt wrap, that is still leaning against the wall. I have been meaning to get back to it, but tying flies is also taking some of my time...

Ha! Fly tying is next up for me, I don't have a clue for a vice choice.

Well, I have looked at the Traveler.

That's a whole other animal there. I went with one of the generic beginner sets.

Well, Ken I'm looking at all of them. Don't need much, just for bream and bass flies.

Are you going to make poppers? I plan on doing that eventually but right now Im concentrating on flies for trout (midges, caddis, drys, buggers). Waiting on some supplies from Cabelas that is coming in 5 different packages from all over the place.

Yes to poppers. My favorite way to fly fish for bass.

Yes to poppers. My favorite way to fly fish for bass.

Stan,
In your search for a fly tying vise, here's a good one to consider. I've been using a Peak for quite a few years. Good quality and an excellent value for the price. Here's a link to the Mudhole page:
[www.mudhole.com]

That would work

Stan, the most rewarding fly to ty for bass is the deer hair bug..if you try tying them get a vice with a good grip on the hook like the Regal..the one i have is over twenty years old and lets me ty bugs up to a 5/0 hook..an excellent book is titled "Bass bug Basics" by John Likakis for beginners and advanced tyers..enjoy the process..