Thanks for the nice comments, folks!

Greg, I used an old fashioned (dip-type) fountain pen with Testor's silver model paint for the inscription.

As I was doing the second (final) coat of wrapping epoxy on the guides, my rod building instructor (Julie) at the local fly shop (Bob's in Loveland, CO) mixed up a 2nd batch of thinned-down epoxy, which I then applied over the inscription. I dont' remember the brand of the epoxy, it was not FlexCoat but something else for rod wrapping--whatever they use at the shop there. My 2nd rod that I built at Bob's -- I use the supplies they give me with no questions asked! (supplies are free there if you buy the blank from them!)
;~)

Ron -- you bet your bippy that rod is coming to Lowell -- along with my homebuilt Scott A2 3-weight!