who puts on helpful dots?

[CaseyP]

Jackster's thread on rod assembly brings up my question:

which rod manufacturers put dots on the rod to make aligning the pieces easier? and since finding the "spline" (is that the word for the direction a rod bends?) is part of making the rod, could these dots not be easily put on any rod as it is made?

[Betty Hiner]

In a word ... yes. When I build rods for Cary I always add alignment dots. It's so much nicer than hearing him whine! Acrylic paint on a toothpick works well, and should it ever wear off, it's easily re applied.

[kbproctor]

I use an acrylic paint pen to make the alignment dots. I put them on every rod, now.

[Sully]

I never saw the need once a rod was built. I line up the guides...thats all thats required....

[flyfshn76]

If I get a rod that doesn't have them on it, I will use my bodkin and a white acrylic paint and then coat it with flexment. None have wore off yet. I like them cause sometimes I get absent minded sometimes when streamside and it helps me to get everything lined up right the first time.

[CaseyP]

Sully, two of my rods don't have guides on the butt piece, so only the reel tells me whether everything is lined up.

thanks for the hints, folks! never knew anything would stick to a rod finish--good old acrylic paint!