Have you thought of using the white thead that seems to disappear when a coat of epoxy is painted over it? I've seen boo rods where some sort of technique like that was used and it is just amazing. I'm really speaking as a novice since I don't know the exact technique, but it's cool since the line guides appear to be floating on the wood. However it's done, the wood appears right through the epoxy -- same as it does on my cedar strip canoes. That would be just awesome on that purple wood. JGW