Well, bout that time of the year to make plans to buy new blanks, guides and stuff to try out next year. Rainshadow surf blanks are at the top of this year's blank list.

What kind of plans do you folks have for next year? Might give us all some good ideas.

After selling a bunch of old rods and reels at a garage sale
this summer, I plan on building my "ultimate" bass spinning
rod. Something 6' or 6'6" that is comfortable tossing #9
floating rapalas, maybe smaller slugg-O's, and even lighter
worms and jigs. Seems to be the consensus is for St.Croix.

I've never build a Loomis, so I've been toying with the idea
of saving up for a good G Loomis fly rod blank. Also, those
new Lamiglas XMG50 blanks are intriguing. I've also heard so
many good things about St. Croix SCIV fly rods that I must
try one. And then there are the new PacBay "custom" and
"professional" blanks that seem interesting. And then there
are the new Sage SLT.

Way too many things to try.

My immediate plans are to build the Lamiglas 8' 2wt that I
bought from Dick French, and then maybe look at an Orvis
Superfine 6'6" 2wt. I've gotten hooked on a few pieces of
water lately that are flat and clear - perfect spots for
ultralight fly rods and small flies.

Bob

My plans are to build on some Fisher blanks, and also Bamboo Flyrods.. Im addicted.. Thanks Dave

Finish my first cane project and sell a few rods next year... Baby steps, right?

First up - move into my new house and build a shop in the basement. I have 15 x 30 feet to work with.

No Billy you only think you have 15 by 30' to work with, wait until the new mrs, sees all that extra space.
John

Develop a demo base of rods. I believe if you can get a correctly built rod in the hands of avid fishermen, you can hook em' (no pun intended). While I build "custom" rods, which to me differs greatly from a "pre-built" rod, a few "pre-built" demos will demonstrate the ability to improve on factory rods.
Continue to get rods into the hands of fishermen. I have this business as a hobby, but thoroughly enjoy the aspect of making enough money to buy new lathes and components and rods for myself. Don't believe I could ever make it a full time venture, but want to make the most of it.
Merry Christmas everyone

Try to be a better rod builder and have even more fun doing it!!! :)

Steve

John is right Billy if you don't "mark your spot" your lady will find a use for it. Happy holidays everyone.

On a personal level:
- more playing with feather and other inlays
- build on those SCV St. Croix Legend Blanks
- grips of leather
- find out more good new things and best modifcations for
the spiral wrap (including new blanks for this)
- check out and use of the new St. Croix Large Arbor Fly reels
- catch a 50" muskie on , of course, custom built
- build and test on the newly released blank models from
Rainshadow (eg. steelhead, flippin sticks), St. Croix SCIII
crankbait series, and the Shikari G-Force composite big
game, and SHIII walleye series and some of the new mag
taper bass, popping and hot shot blanks (always looking for
the 'perfect' musky and bass blank)
- Continue using and finding titanium based guides and
reel seat components.
- use of neat materials in spin and fly reel seat inserts
- more unique decorative butt wrap patterns and use of some
of the 'quicker wrap' trim materials liek Lectra Braid and
hologram (or 3D)
- always experiment with those 'cross-over' situations (blanks)
such as which one makes the best 'dropshot' rod or 'senko'
rod (yeah, another search and research, and reresearch).
-keeping performance at the forefront , and yet maintaining
an artistic or personalized custom aspect to rodbuilding

On a Business Level:
- to keep abreast with my suppliers for best offerings to my
customers
- to provide a reasonable level of service and increase our
needs as a stocking supplier and distributor
- to remain competetive within North America and keep with
best relations for our friends and customers in rodbuilding
- on-line shopping increase of items for better convenience
- have available reels of interest that match nicely with custom
rods
- seek best components available at reasonabe cost
alternatives
- overall ,just to further develop friendliness, good service,
and provide product that custom rodbuilders want at a
good price and access to quality product and manufacturer
support
- provide information and participation on sponsored sites like
rodbuilding.org and 2 major others organizations we support
- provide sponsorship on the local level for several fishing
events and continue receiving the great support of our 'teams'
and field testers to better continue providing quality product
and expertise.

What items of interest that rodbuilders would enjoy?: (big list could develop, I'll only mention a few):

-those Forecast TiCN and TiCH ring guides are very nice and
relatively inexpensive. Performance-oriented and attractive
-aluminum fly reel seats by Forecast. many choices, sizes, and
really inexpensive with quality
- well priced power wrappers we offer from Pacific Bay, Flex
Coat and Batson Enterprises.
- new selections of instructional videos and of course in
Canada, we'll conveniently handle RodMaker subscriptions
- SCIV graphite St. Croix fly blanks as many attest are a must
have, also Exel Rainshadow blanks very good value
- go high end with SCV spinning and casting 'legend' blanks
- Gudebrod has some exciting new items like Lectra Braid
which is really taking off for attractive trim material for your
rods. Ask us for the 2002 new gudebrod catalog.
- Pacific Bay has extremely nice reel seats in both fly and
spin with a variety of wood or woven graphite inserts and
metal components (hoods) to match. Check out the channel
lock reel seats, and their new blank program (2002 blank
catalog we can send you).
- Useful items that fit in nicely with rodbuilding projects are
Pac. Bay 'N' guides, Forecast titanium carbide/hardalloy
guides and tops (inexpensive), Silk A thread (japanese),
Gudebrod #811 and U-40 color lock color preservatives,
Flex coat 2 hr. and 5 min. epoxies, U-40 Rod Bond (the best
there is for a paste type 2 part epoxy), inexpensive Alpine
rod cases, Preformed St. Croix handle kits for all types of
rod projects, Flex Coat 6 rpm or 18 rpm finishing motors
and reamer abrasive for cork and foam
- Rod Builder's australian Leather Grip material
- Shikari E-Glass Jig and Heavy Bait Blanks (excellent
bottom fish type grouper blanks)
- St. Croix multidynamic blend SW blanks
-Forecast entry level fly blanks (softer action and great
beginner projects or for the kiddies)
- Pac. Bay 2002 blank program of domestic and imports
- Lots of new items, but not to forget the 'tried and true' names
we've come to respect like most of which we are proud to
offer as a supplier to custom rodbuilders and are confident
with building my own rods for years past and years to come.


Rich G.
Richard's Rod & Reel
www.rodreel.com

Solyrich Custom Rods

GEEZZZ!!!! RICH! You can do all that in a year?!!!!!....lol

Steve,
Considering that rodbuilding in the tackle business is a full time occupation, and not to forget the help I get, I suppose there is even more on the agenda. I haven't mentioned the 'secret' projects personally with rodbuilding and a couple of local and regional outdoor personalities I'll deal with for next year, and some 'instructional' participation which I am sure will keep the night oil burning.
Hope the suggestions are useful, and probably won't end there as the year hasn't even started yet!

I do fully expect 2002 will be an interesting and busy year in rodbuilding, and we'll be spending a great amount of the days ahead with these interests. I appreciate the support and patronage of all our rodbuilding customers and contacts over the past year and certainly will again likely start off with a bang in January and into the spring season. Hope it will be an interesting and busy year for custom rodbuilders everywhere.

Rich G.
Richard's Rod & Reel Service