I wanted to do something special for my best friend and so I did his own fade.I wont do this exact one for anyone else now.
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This is my patriotic rod. I decided I wanted to do something besides flags. So when in doubt do a fade! It is still my favorite rod to fish with.
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The yellow underwrap gives the tiger eye rod a nice contrast. I like the optical wrap eventhough it is slow one thread at a time!
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I have been thinking about this design for about 6-7 mo. I actually cut out all the pieces several months ago and finally had time to put it together, then no time to turn it, then finally had time to finish if for my new topwater rod. I cut it on the lathe using a box cutter knife and lots of cork on the mandrel. As you can see, several sizes needed in both reg. and burl cork.
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Pair made for a couple. Cant believe she picked the wild thang neon rod...
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I put the first guide at the end of the butt wrap. Kind of an interesting look.
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This is my famous Neon fade! It is made with Gudebrod Neon Pink #610,Blue#612,Orange#613,Green#611 and Yellow#581. It actually closed but I put the big pink X on it to make it brighter!!!! Started off as a joke and now everyone wants one.
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Optical design inspired by several others on the board. Had to try it to see if I could do it. Not as hard as it looks. Rod worked out great.
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This has become my favorite handle to put on customers rods and for myself. The checkerboard portions are easy to build with the jig. The burl cork is contrasted well by the regular cork.
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This is my favorite fade. Worked on it for a long time to get it right. 6 colors involved.
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A friend of mine wanted his very first rod rebuilt after many years of use. It was in terrible shape and of course the rebuild was worth 10 times what the rod was worth but it had a lot of sentimental value since his dad gave it to him.
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one of my favorite flyrods and the little white fish with orange/red eyes
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I think there is a tendency of people to not look carefully at function and application when building rods. By that I mean that some people/customers look only at the aesthetics and not function. I sold a ton of rods with colorful rings just because they were "pretty". They were good guides so no one had a problem especially with freshwater gear. Anyone that used that kind of logic
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I used Tru-oil because I liked the richer color it added to the birchbark. Both will work well. And I harvested my bark in the middle of winter in Michigan and let it dry out for about a month before cutting it up. Worked great, no problems. FYI--I did not cut it off the trees. I took it off ones that had fallen or died so it already had been dried some when I got it. I also found that the olde
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I think it is personal preference. I have found for me that an 8-9" rear grip is perfect. I always ask customers what they want and some have to try a couple of rods to see what "feels" right. Most however go with a longer grip vs a shorter one. JMO
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Latest Update: PayPal had some luck and recovered my payment for the order I placed. I still don't know what the status of Riley Rods is. I would like to know if he is still in business or not.
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Yes, Tom, the grip and foregrip were painted white. Actually, that paint has remained true and has not flaked or chipped. Dave
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My order was on 2 Sept and now, 60 days later, no contact. PayPal has had no luck either. Storm may have got him.....
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I have built a white rod with white wraps--in fact the carbon fiber handle was white and the real seat was painted white. I wish now I had used Permagloss instead of epoxy for the wraps because they are slowly turning amber. The rod is about 9 months old but the color change started about 3 months after the build. Eventually, I may strip it and use Permagloss.
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Thanks Dick, I have just about resigned to the fact I am going to have to learn to do this and make my own. It would be a lot cheaper and a whole lot less frustrating! I am looking at Sollar Composites for a lot of the materials. Where do you get the clamps to make the ends the sizes you want? Can I just buy the cores from Mudhole and do the rest myself? Thanks everyone, Dave
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Thanks Spencer and Norman, I have looked at what is on the market from MudHole and others. It just is not the same. I have used 6 grips from Riley in the colors of Orange, White, Black/White, Black, and Purple. The ones from Riley can be make in about 8-12 colors depending on what you want. I have had rave reviews from my customers and I also have 2 of my own that have been far superior to
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Who else is in the business of selling pre-made carbon fiber handles like Riley Rods does? I have not seen another business but I am open for suggestions.
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I have an order which is paid for via PayPal for some handles for some customers. I have never made these handles and I need them pretty quickly. Could they have been hit by the Hurricane Mathew? I know the business is in North Carolina. I have done the same as Ryan. Called every number I could find, sent emails to all their company ones. I also know he is a fishing guide but I doubt ther
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I have built 1-1/2 Birch Bark handles. The first one (ended up 1/2) I used epoxy like I would with cork on a mandrel. I had about 6 or 7 de-laminations. I had enough material to just put it aside and start over. This time I used Titebond III. I still had some de-laminations but only about 3. It made a beautiful handle but I swore I would never do another one. the other day, I found my stash of m
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Thanks guys. I will investigate these suggestions. Dave
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I need to build a bait casting rod to be able to cast 1/4 and 3/8 oz small crankbaits. It must be at least 6ft long. I have never tried such a light rod before. What blank do you guys suggest. Moderate prices please. Will be used for black and white bass and should be able to cast a fair distance. Dave
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There is the definition for tracking--ie NONSENSE.
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So would the RX8+C812 also work as well in a casting rod configuration? If not what would make a good Fluke casting rod? David
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I have ordered several handles and foregrips from Capt Mike over the last couple of years. Getting the first one took about 2 months because I ordered during his prime charter season. We had a conversation about it and he told me he fishes about 6 months and sells handles/cores for 6 mos. I was about to place a large order (large for me at 20 handles) based on clients that think they are fantas
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