Certainly no master here either ...for sure! What I have learned about this process is that the real secrets are in the varnish's used and the thread type more than anything else to achieve tranlucent wraps. Guide foot preparation is important, Ferrule transitions are important, tags, or their handeling is important as well. You can do all of the detail work and use the wrong type of varnish and they will come out streaked or even worse. With darker threads, you will still get tranlucense, but it will be shaded darker than the thread or even completely change the color of it. A good example of that is Pearsall's Salmonberry (nearly a pink color on the spool, but when the varnish is applied, it turns into a beautiful tranlucent red.

The other thing about rod building in general is that if it were not for some of the masters sharing their secrets, most of us would not have the knowledge that we have acquired. Just talking to, or reading the works from rod makers like Kusse, Thramer, Carpenter, Mike Brooks, and many many more is an education in itself. by the way, if you can latch on to a rod that was made by Kusse, Thramer or any of these great rod makers of today, it will surely be the Payne, Leonard, Garrison, etc of tomorrow. Look at Bill Oysters work as well. An outstanding rodmaker that gives classes and is eager to help any young (or old) rod maker wannabe improve their skills. That is what makes this great thing "rodbuilding" so great. Everyone is eager to help and is more than willing to share their knowledge and experiences to help others.