Build #2 - Rainshadow IM6 4pc 6.6ft 2wt.

[Mato Kuwapi]

I just finished this rod on Tuesday. It's the second rod in the "Spirit Bear Rods" (tm)collection (my home made costom rod company LOL) . I wish I had purchased more of these rod kits when I bought this one. It was a great way to practice without worry, like I did with build #1. So my first words of wisdom for the beginner rod builder it to buy a couple of cheap kits to work on before attempting to put together a rod that has more dollars at stake.
This was a kit from H&H on one of those last chance deals of theirs. I think I sunk in about $40 all told.





I like to give my rods a name. This one I called, "TRUE BLUE" after a favorite Australian song by John Williamson.
For the butt cap I used a $2 Australian coin I saved from some trips Down Under. The picture on it is of an Australain Aboriginal, the Southern Cross and a plant too small to make out but I'm guessing Wattle.


and just one more...same as the first with a different background. Just playing with the camera.

[Wednesday Caster]

Man I dig that personalized work with the coin and feather inlays!
Excellent work and very pleasing to the eyes.

[Joe Valencic]

Beautiful work, Mato. Based on your description, you have more invested in the Junglecock skin than the rod.

I like the way you have the feather inlays on top of thread wraps as a background. Some attractive feathers get washed into the background of dark blanks, and need a better background for them to stand out. I've been studing feather inlays for my next rods, and been practicing on a factory rod until the blanks get here. I don't have a junglecock skin (yet), but I'm working with guiney (sp) fowl as an alternative, and I have both golden and ringneck pheasant skins to pick feathers from.

One question: are the junglcock eyes on your ferrules used as alignment marks or just decoration on the female side? I didn't see a picture of the other end of the sticks.

Joe

[Mato Kuwapi]

I thought about using the JC as line up guides and I probably still can. I have to check and see how close it gets. I didn't do a matching feather on the female end this time. So for now it's just for looks. I'm just trying to keep it simple for now.


P.S. Thanks for the Koo Doos!

[Warm Water Fly Fisher]

Wow that rod looks awesome

[fish and teach]

I'm looking for some cheap kits that I can practice with but still have a decent rod when I get done. You said you paid <$40.00 for yours. If you don't mind me asking, what is it and where did you get it.

[Joe Valencic]

I'm just trying to keep it simple for now.

OOOPS! You went beyond simple, my friend. I can hardley wait to see the "complicated" build you come up with.

Joe

[Joe Valencic]

I'm looking for some cheap kits that I can practice with but still have a decent rod when I get done. You said you paid <$40.00 for yours. If you don't mind me asking, what is it and where did you get it.

fish and teach,

Check out this deal from Hook & Hackle for $38 plus shipping: http://www.mailordercentral.com/hook...number=AF9053K

"Angler Fly Rod Building Kit

9' 3-piece 5 weight, glossy black blank, medium fast action, all black snake guides, black chrome reel seat, reverse half wells cork grip, threads, glues, instructions and everything else to build a fly rod. Perfect inexpensive alternative for a beginning rod builder."

Go getum, Tiger! Come join the other addicts on FAOL. We'll be glad to help you through your build.

Joe

[Mato Kuwapi]

Hook & Hackle is where I got it! Just get on their newsletter list and you'll see deals of some sort fly at you at least once a week.

[MontanaMoose]

Now that's truly art Mato ! Thank you for the great post and pics.

Cheers,

MontanaMoose