I was in Wal-Mart today with my wife and found some neat material to make rod bags with. It’s 100% cotton and the pattern name is “Great Outdoors.” The supplier is Cranston Print Works Co., and the material is $3.97/yd. I made a bag for a 6’6" 2-piece rod and one for a 8"-0" 4-piece. Here’s an overall shot and a couple of closeups. Note the one with the “Lady Fly Fisher” in the canoe for the ladies who may be making their own rod bags.
Yes, Mikey, that’s your rod on the 2-piece bag. You’re getting a bag from this material.
Joe, I found the same exact material at Good Will that was made up into curtains. They are now hanging in the windows of my canopy. Hides my treasure on feeshn trips 8)
Joe,
How heavy a weight is that cotton? The only cotton I saw at our WWorld was, in my estimation, too thin to make a rod sock from. I’d love to find some like that!! I did pick up some really kewl flannel to make a rod sock out of! I’m rebuilding a beautiful bamboo fly rod for a friend, who had requested NASCAR stickers the full length of the rod. In lew of that, the flannel I found had race cars on it, on a red checkered background. Now, if Bluegill 222 doesn’t read this and spill the beans, John should get a heck of a surprise at flytying Thursday night!! I’ll take pictures before I deliver the rod!
Betty
The material is not heavy, it’s like something you would make a lightweight shirt from. I don’t know why rod bags are made so heavy, when all you’re doing is protecting the guides from rubbing against the blank, and then puting it in a protective tube. When they are tied together, there is really no rubbing that should occur. For this purpose I think this material is just fine. If someone wanted a bag that was heavier they could buy one from any number of places. I’m just throwing them in with the rod and having a little fun in the process.
Hi: that will probably be a light weight cotton fabric, plain weave. I worked for another Cranston plant for a long time. Make sure you wash the fabric and iron it before putting a rod in it. The catalyst that cures the permanent press resin is very acidic. As to why use a heavier fabric, such as a flannel, it would be to add more cushioning inside the rod case. I remember many rods from the 50’s and 60’s coming with these.
Hi: just a good regular wash will do. This really applies to all new products made of any fabric. Excess processing chemicals should always be removed. This is why many people feel “itchy” when they wear a new shirt without washing it first: a simple contact dermatitis (think “poison ivy” for a more extreme one).
