I know some talented rod builders and fly-casters who own and use some spectacularly embellished rods - but not because these rods deliver peak casting performance. Quite the contrary. The leveraged mass of decorative wraps slow a rod's response to what's going on at the business-end of a fishline. Depending upon the angler, the environment, and the fish, this slowed response may or may not decrease hook-ups - but only ignorance or deception claims the weight and weight distribution of the rod itself is inconsequential.

Copy that Phil!

I make rods for myself, friends, and family. I don’t do it as a business. They all love the decorative wraps on their rods. It takes time to do them and because of that I don’t make much on my rods. But I find it therapeutic. There is definitely a market for decorative wraps. The problem I see is finding a way to do them where you make money at it. Best of luck.