I am working on my first build ever. I do want to acknowledge that I have received a lot of great help from HarleyBob, With out his help I do not think I could have done this. It will be a 2/2, 5’ 5 1/2" Bantum Boo, I expect it to be a 1 or a 2 wt when done. I have a long way to go yet. But I am taking my time and trying to get it right. I still have to wait for some of the hardware. I will post a few pics as I progress. My camera is not the greatest so please forgive the poor quality of the pics. John
Hey John I like the color of the reel seat you chose to go with that boo rod. brings out the color of the blank. Excellent choice. I am emailing you some numbers for guide placement to start with and then you can go from there as discussed. Wow I can not wait to see the finished product. If it goes as good as it has this far it will look very very good and you will be the proud parent of a boo bantum. One thing I forgot to warn you about is this rod building thing is very adictive, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED LOL.
You’ve got a lot more nerve than I do starting with bamboo for your first rod.
Bob is right on the money with his comment about ADDICTIVE. Built my first one a month ago or so, finished my second one last week ( although I may redo a couple of the guides ) and am already thinking about starting another one, if I sell a couple rods to finance the next project !! And I’m not even serious about this rod building thing.
It does look like you are off to a great start and will end up with one sweet bamboo rod. Do take your time and think things out well in advance. Also, be willing to experiment on the new things you have to do - like wrapping the guides and properly using the wrapping finish. This is advice passed on by others to someone ( me ) who didn’t completely heed it, and paid the price on a couple aspects of the last build.**
With Bob coaching you, you got a BIG advantage over all the first time rod builders. Take full advantage of what he has to offer. Then put the rod up for sale at a price I can afford.
John
** Of course, now I have the option of redoing a couple guides which will give me some experience in guide repair and replacement. Aren’t I a lucky fellow !! Silver linings and all that, you know.
Thank you Bob and John for all of your help, and comments. I figure it is very addictive. That is what I tell all of my young fly tying students. I have some students that keep coming back everytime I have a class. I do love teaching them all. Thanks again John
I owe bass man a big apology. He acknowledged the fact I had given him some help and I did not acknowledge this. I was just taken bck by the way he had done the rod this far and how good it looked I totally forgot. besides I did not do that much just fill his email up LOL
John;
I have a real problem with your First Build! No one has that clean of a spot to take photo’s on!! Your desk is…well…too clean…!
Nice looking job, very nice.
John, thanks for your comments and I would love to get together for lunch some time. By the way my tying classes will be starting back at the church in October. John
Bob, you have been more help then you can beleive. I could not have gotten this far or be able to finish it with out your help.
Jack you have to realize that that is just 3 feet of my desk you see the rest of it is a mess. But I do know where everything is. LOL John
Just wondering if you received the hardware that you were waiting for, and made any progress on the rod ?? Can’t wait to see how it’s going, and how it turns out, even if I have to !!
No John I have not received them yet. Supposedly UPS deleived my package on the porch, but My wife was here when they say it was deleivered. The company has recent the materials and they should be here by the 28th and I can get started on it again. Thanks for asking about it. I will keep you posted on it. John
Finally got the rest of the hardware and all the equipment I wanted, early today. Now I can continue on this little rod. I hope it turns out ok. I will be starting with the butt section. As soon as I finish it I will post a pic so that you all can critique it and let me know how it is, and point out the mistakes I make. Thanks again to all of you for your help. I have discovered one mistake right away. I should not have put the reel seat on first. Below is a list of the hardware I am using on this one. John
5’ 5 1/2" 2PC Bantum Boo Rod with Extra Tip
Reel Seat: Silver/Chrome Plated Aluminum Fly Rod Reel Seat
Insert: Tiger Maple
Grip: 6" Half Wells Coated with U40 Cork Seal
Blank: Top 2 Sections of Japan Kit Rod With Extra Tip
Coated with Spar Varnish Then coated again with U40 Perma Gloss
Winding Check: Hexagon 18/64 HexChex from Golden Witch
Guides and Hook Keeper: Cabella’s Chrome Dual Foot Snake Guides
Black Dual Foot Snake Guides on 2nd Tip
Tip Top and Ferrules: Original
Wraps: Gudebrod Size A Nylon Red #326
Wraps Coated: 4 Coats of U40 Perma Gloss
Wow that color of thread and the black guides are going to look very good. I can not wait to see the finished product. I think this is going to be one very very nice rod you will be proud of for the rest of your life.
Ok here is some more pics of my progress. All I have done so far is the butt section. I hope to get some critiqueing on this. I know the pics are not the best but that is all I can do with the camera I have. I know there are mistakes in this rod. But they will show me what to concentrate on on the next build. John
John, The thread was a real bright red when I started. I did not use color preserver on purpose. After coating with the perma gloss. It turned out a deeper red which I do like. Thanks for you comments. John
