I don't think you could have gotten a better blank for your lovely lady. I have used garnet thread on these and it looks good but in this case you are right it will not look quite right. Your pit will be fine once the seat is epoxied in. I have had the cork split and when I epoxied it together you would have never know it. A light brown thread and copper should look excellent on the wraps. I will be checking in every once in awhile to see the progress of the rod. I am sure you will be posting pics or you should your work is excellent.
As far as when will you get to fish the stuff you are building LOL time management my friend. That is that nonexcisting thing you hear people talk about all the time.