Hook and Hackle Forecast Rod Building Kit Questions....

Hi everyone, I've decided that I want to take a stab at building my own fly rod. After doing a little research it seems that people really like the hook and hackle blanks. I'm thinking about getting their most inexpensive, Forecast rod building kit that comes with everything i need including a video.

My questions are these....

1. knowing nothing about building a rod can i realistcally build one with this kit and the information i can find on that video and the various websites?

2. I'm thinking about getting the 6'6 2 wt. I want something small for brookie streams and panfish. My question is, do you think i should get the 2 peice or 4 peice for a few dollars more? what would be easier to work with?

I built the 6'6" two piece and LOVE IT! It is a great casting rod.

I also purchased the Hook & Hackle 2 wt line and a 1492 Medalist to go with it. The outfit stays in the trunk of my car for the local pond panfish.

As for building the rod the kit will have most of what you need to get it done. Most important take your time. If you are not happy with a wrap cut it off and do it again. The finish is the real trick. It would help if you can get a system to turn the rod as the finish is applied and dries. An old rotisserie motor is perfect if you can locate one somewhere.

Good luck and if you need any advice feel free to contact me via the message center.

The best instruction on the Internet is right here:
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/begin/graphite/[/b]

1 yes you will be able to build a rod Use foal and you wont even need the video. Get it if you want, I would use the money for tools IMO.
Also if you have any questions ask them on the BB and we can answer you.

2 If you want the 4pc get it. All my rods I built are 4pc their is no different except 2 female feruel wraps which are easy.

building rods is fun and easy
Have fun and post some pictures when your done

I have built 5 of the 6'6"2#!! Three for friends and one each for Cary and me. They are fantastic little brookie rods, and wonderful in tight locations.
Save your money on the video, read FAOL, ask questions on here. Take your time, and practice the wrapping on a piece of dowel till you're comfortable with it. Know your first rod will not be perfect, but will forever be incredible fun.

I don't however, know what these guys mean about rod building being addictive. I've built only 23 or so, and I can quit any time I want!! :shock:

Betty - 5!! 6'6" 2wt's. WOW!!

But I do undertsand - a fantatstic little rod indeed!

thanks guys for the info, I'm looking forward to getting started, its nice to know there is a place like this i can come for help.

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Originally Posted by PanFisher

Betty - 5!! 6'6" 2wt's. WOW!!

But I do undertsand - a fantatstic little rod indeed!

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LOL!!! Any of the rods I've built, I've built multiples of!! Usually at least 5 of each size and weight!! 754, 755, 86, 662, 54, and others. They're fun to build, and it keeps me off the streets!!

I would love to have a small rod, but am concerned just how well they would cast and mind.

Can you get a 40' cast without working up a sweet?

Can you mind your line with only a 6'6" rod?

Can a 2 wt cast at all with a breeze?

Ripper, I built my first rod this winter and it was a 9' 5 wt Forcast. While I made more than my share of mistakes and I dought that it would impress anyone on this board I am still proud of it. It casts very well and I would compare it to my Sage RPL. My wife signed a friends name on it and we gave it to him for Christmas and he thinks it worth a million bucks.

I think they're wonderful. In answer to your questions;
Maybe close to 40 ft, but usually with the lighter rod you're in a smaller area.
Mend the line? You betcha! Easily.
Breeze or gale forced winds? Breeze ... like a breeze! Gale force ... nah! You'll need a 3# for that!!

I hesitated on the 6'6" 2wt for quite awhile. All the talk about the one weights made me think. So I looked at the 2wt at H&H and gave it a try.

Normally I might say 2wt is too light like you'd think. But after casting this H&H Forecast 6'6" 2wt the rod is a dream. It casts very well and yes I can get 40' easily. It throws a tight loop and handles quite well.

For the local ponds it is the ONLY rod I use any more.

:D
Ripper;
I also have built the H&H 2 wt. along with several other wt. and length Forecast rods. You'll get enough epoxies and thread with the kit to do several rods. One thing you won't get is cork sealer.
I build 4 pc rods as shorter pieces seem to make them easier to build, my first build was a 2 pc. 9' and swinging a 4 1/2' blank around can be a pain.
A tip on the cork grip reamer (its a tapered hole). Find an old rod, spinning, bait caster, etc. and remove the guides (good practice). Cut the rod into 15" sections. Pick up an 18" strip of 3M adhesive back stair tread non-skid. Cut a strip about a 1/4" wide and spiral it down the piece of rod that best fits the cork leaving an 1/8" gap to catch the cork dust. This reamer(s) will last forever just take it easy as it will cut quickly.
Have fun and welcome to the Dark Side.

that I just received from H&H to build my first rod. I plan on waiting until after a rodbuilders show in February before I get started so if you start building it before then post back with some updates. I'd really like to hear how your doing with it.

will do, its in the mail

OK Betty & Pan you talked me into it. I will give the 2 wt a try. It sounds like fun to have a rod that light.

I built that rod, too, and have really enjoyed it, but wonder if I couldn't find a line that would let it load at shorter distances - I can cast a long way, but not short. I can't remember now which line I put on it, but I think it was a dt3.

Herefishy,

I have built the 2 pc 662 and actually fish it with a WF4F since I fish out of a kayak and mostly make casts in the 25 to 40' range. THis little rod is a GEM and can easily handle 2, 3, and 4wt lines depending on your fishing needs. The Forecast blanks are my mainstays as they are all I need in a good quality blank.......and dirt cheap to boot.

The H&H IM6 blanks are also great and the 2wt in that line is even crisper and definitely requires a 3 or 4wt line to load in close.

EIther way, you'll love that little rod.

Lou

I havent posted anything in quite awhile. So I figured I'd see if I'm still able to and chime in here.

#1. Take your time
2. Read the articles on Rod building here.
3. Practice your wraps on an old rod or pained dowel stick before you venture to the new rod.
4. Keep in mind your thread color will change after you apply the finish epoxy. (refer to #3.)
5. I cant tell you how many forecast blanks I've made into beautiful fishable rods. They are good blanks.
6. Like jack said .welcome to the dark side and god forgive you for the addiction you are about to enter into.
7. Enjoy the building process,and ask questions as you proceed.
8.When your finished ,go fish that rod and when you catch the 1st fish on it, think back and be proud of your accomplishment. Best of luck!

Everyone had good advise! There are some real experts here!

I would just like to add that you never have to live with your first effort. When I made my 6'6" 2wt I decided to upgrade the guides on my 5wt, using two colors instead of one for the thread wraps. It now casts better and looks much better!

Also, to do the wrapping I made a couple of wooden blank holders, little more than 2 boards nailed together in an "L" shape with a "V" cut in one end to hold the blank. I glued felt to the "V" to protect the blank. (I found that I could control the wraps better by lifting the blank off the holder and wrapping with the blank in my hands. But the holders were convenient to hold the blank to pull the thread end under the wraps.)

I applied the rod finish to the wraps using the holders to hold the blank and putting a rubber-band around the blank and then around my electric drill. It took a little fiddling around to level everything to spin the blank without the band travelling on the blank or coming off the drill1 But not much. It actually worked great even though it sounds crazy!
It is MUCH easier to apply a finish to the wraps with a faster spinning blank. When the finish was applied I cut the rubber band and slipped a slow turning rod finisher motor to the end. (Couldn't find a used rotisserie.)

I got a little more long winded than I planned!

The point is, just have fun making your first rod. It is a real hoot to catch that first fish on a rod YOU made! In two years, maybe four, you might want to spruce up that 'old' rod! You can remake that rod and have twice the fun!!

Charlie

great replies guys....

at this point I have put the reel seat together, mounted it onto the blank,and also glued the cork grip on, so the whole handle is put together and on the blank. Next step is to place the guides! Its pretty exciting watching it come together litle by little.

I assembled my reel seat(s) for my matching 8'6" 5wts for my wife and I... tonight I hope to put them on the butt sections... filing the cork is a pain...

anyway... instead of starting my own thread on my rod build I thought I'd just join/hijack yours :) if you want me to post elsewhere I will...

I don't care one bit, the more the better.

All Rodbuilders:
If you ever have any questions in regards to the Batson Enterprises - Rainshadow/Forecast product lines please feel free to contact us. We have a very experienced staff of rodbuilders in house. Hook & Hackle has been a GREAT supporter of our products. Thank you for supporting them.
Bill Batson
CEO
Batson Enterprises
Rainshadow/Forecast/ALPS Products
877-875-2381
www.batsonenterprises.com
batson@batsonenterprises.com

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Originally Posted by Ripper

I don't care one bit, the more the better.

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Cool... then an update... got my reel seat/handle/winding check attached... we'll see if I get the guides before the weekend...

looks like your right where I'm at. I don't get a chance to work on it much during the week so i'm hoping to maybe get the guides placed this weekend.

I'm thinking about getting a different colored thread to give it more of my own touch but i'm not sure what color i would go with that would look good with the dark blue blank. Any suggestions?

Oh my goodness...I can't believe I just ordered the H&H Forecast 6'2" 2wt 4pc as my first rod building project. I have watched this thread from the start and finally could not wait any longer to come over to the dark side. Now for the hardest part of the build...waiting for it to arrive! Regardless of how it turns out, it will be numbered #001, and will never be remanufactured. It will forever be my personal baseline from which to improve upon for any/all future rods.

Oh, I also ordered a rod case for it as well. I'm dilligent (the cyber nanny would not let me say @n@l) when it comes to protecting my fly rods, regardless of their cost. If I break a rod while using it, that's one thing. Breakage because of poor handling or no protective sleeve is unacceptable to me.

I do have my first question before the kit arrives. Is it possible to make your own decals and apply them to the rod? What print media would you use for this...clear mailing labels, perhaps?

Thanks for all the help you have all given me (unknowingly!) to build my confidence to do this build. Knowing how I get excited about new things, I'm certain I'll have more than one new rod to take to the Michigan Fish In this year.

Joe

Joe,
I've seen labels made with mailing labels, but, if you're going to go to the effort of building your rod (!) WRITE your own information on the rod by hand!!
Betty
And welcome to the addiction! AR and all!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Betty Hiner

Joe,
I've seen labels made with mailing labels, but, if you're going to go to the effort of building your rod (!) WRITE your own information on the rod by hand!!
Betty
And welcome to the addiction! AR and all!!

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LOL, how about I build the rod and send it to YOU to write on it, and then finish the finish when you ship it back? With my handwriting, I should put Dr. before my name. :oops:

Joe

I didn't trust my handwritting and so didn't want to write directly on the blank, so instead I wrapped an inch and a half section above the winding check with thread and wrote my name and rod information on that. I used a gold lettering pen. It turned out OK, but if it hadn't I could have simply unwrapped the thread and started over..and over.. and over untill I was satisfied!
I must be easy to please because I only did it once! :)

Joe,
Here's a really kewl trick for writing on a blank/rod ...
Carefully tape off the areas you wish to write on, take it OUTSIDE, and protect everything within a five foot area ( :shock: well, maybe not that much!), and gently spritz the area on your rod with "Krylon workable fixative". It gives just the needed amount of "tooth" to the area to accept the form of writing material you're using (gel pen, gold ink, whatever). Let it thouroughly dry, before and after writing, then seal it with another spritz of fixative, then your rod finish. If you mess up, just wipe the ink off, and try again.
Or you could send it to me ...but don't be surprised if it's MY name that shows up on the rod!! :roll:
Betty

Betty,

Thanks for the tip. I may have my bride do the lettering as she has a steady hand and beautiful penmanship. Plus, she said she'll only charge me $5 per inscription. What a gal...

I did a little more research and found a reasonably priced decal outfit online, that appears to be operated by some rod builders. Pretty reasonable prices for their work.
http://www.decalconnection.com/decal_samples.htm

Joe


Hey, it's been 24 hours since I placed my rod kit order. Where's it at????? I heard H&H had fast delivery. Maybe that was an exageration. :roll: LOL I can't lose my patience because i never had any in the first place. :lol: :lol: :lol: :twisted:

Betty,
How many more kewl tricks do you know. I am ready to write on my 3rd rod and was sweating trying to put the finish on without smearing the ink again.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You

Joe,
I have my wife do the writing for the same reason, however I think it cost me much more than 5 bucks. Plus she can spell. I agree with others that a decal takes away from a custom rod.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ksfisher

I would love to have a small rod, but am concerned just how well they would cast and mind.

Can you get a 40' cast without working up a sweet?

Can you mind your line with only a 6'6" rod?

Can a 2 wt cast at all with a breeze?

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Ok, race fans and distance casters. :shock: I finished my 6'-6" 2wt yesterday and took it out to the front yard to try her out today. Since I only had my Okuma 4/5 reel with 4wt line and a piece of yarn on a 7' tapered leader on it, my results may be different than the others with 2wt or 3wt lines. Here's my results:

Distance (measured): 52' (with no wind, single haul) 40' with little to no effort. Pretty sure I could punch more out of it with a double haul and a little push, but my hands were getting cold.
Loops: Amazingly tight (for me!)
Sweat: None (It's 5F today with light snow)

Summary: Sweeeeeeeeeeet! I'm going to L O V E this rod for blugills. No problem over lining to 4wt WFF line (that I can see).

Now, I'm not sure what line to buy. I bought a Ross Flycast 1 for this rod on closeout at my local Gander Mountain for $29.97 (using up the balance from a gift card), but I'm not sure what line to put on it. Would it be sacrilege to over line a rod of this rating (2 wt), even though it casts so nice with 4wt line? Would I stop getting my Orvis & Cabelas catalogs for overlining 2x? This is my new challenge, and I need some advice and/or opinions as to which way to go. MY thought is to max out the capability of the blank, but I?m unsure what the long-term results might be. Since it?s such a fast rod, I don?t believe a 2wt or 3wt line will perform as well as the 4wt (speculation only, as I?ve not tried lighter lines). I open the floor to your comments, since I have no clue as to what I'm doing.

Joe

You might be able to try some 2 and 3 wt. lines at your local fly shop Joe. They don't mind people doing that as far as I know and besides, they sell fly lines ! Just a brain shiver, hope the idea helps.

Cheers,

MontanaMoose

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MontanaMoose

You might be able to try some 2 and 3 wt. lines at your local fly shop Joe. They don't mind people doing that as far as I know and besides, they sell fly lines ! Just a brain shiver, hope the idea helps.

Cheers,

MontanaMoose

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Great idea, but my local shop only carries lines 5wt and up to cater to the steelhead fishermen. There aren't many "lightweights" that buy small lines, so they would have to be special ordered. Thanks for the idea.

Joe

Joe, I just remembered reading somewhere in the threads that one of the discount flyline outfits shipped 'try lines' to someone here on the board. I'll watch for it and let you know.

cheers,

MontanaMoose