Finally finished my 5th rod. It is on a Rainshadow RX7+ blank, a beatiful chestnut brown blank from Batson, I was fortunate enough to have found it at a discount.
I used green wraps and gold trim. With no color preserver, the wraps turned an emerald green after the finish was applied, perfectly matching the green woven graphite Batson reel seat. The striping guides have gold inserts to match the gold trim bands.
The reel in the picture is an Elkhorn CL2 in antique gold, I won in the monthly drawing here on FAOL. Although the classic design of the reel doesn’t really match the woven graphite reel seat, it still looks great on the rod. I also won the 5wt GLX fly line on an FAOL drawing, so keep entering each month.
With all the luck, something was bound to go wrong. Opps, whats wrong with this picture.
I carefully marked where the reel seat was and where the lettering and drawing of the fish went. Only, I forgot to turn the rod over. I didn’t notice it until I had finished the rod and put the reel on to test cast it.
Looks absolutely beautiful. The green wraps with gold tipping is a great combo I’ll have to keep that color scheme in mind for future projects. I built a RX7+ 6wt last winter for my father and think it’s a great blank for the $$. (especially if you get them on sale)
Very nice build. One question: Did you leave off the hook keeper intentionally? I noticed you have a fly inbeded in your cork handle. My experience is that practice leads to early deterioration of the cork from repeated piercing, especially if you get the barb into the cork.
You are correct, I did not install a hook keeper on the rod. I got to the point that I never use one anymore. I hook the fly on the second stripping guide support and wrap the line back around the reel. This is common practice in saltwater since it allows you to keep more line out to make quicker casts. The fly in the pictures was more balanced on the grip for effect than actually hooked into it. I never actually hook flies into the cork, since, as you suggested, it will eventually damage the cork.
dunfly,
Nice work. I hope I can measure up. I’m waiting for delivery of an RX-7, 5 weight only in a gloss green and 7 1/2 feet long. I went with a Struble reel seat and snake guides. I’m also considering an agate stipper guide. Weight isn’t an isssue with me as much as asthetics is. I also like the fish you have on the butt section, but I’m going to put “1 Cor 3: 16,17” on mine. I hope I can do 1/2 the quality work you have done.
Very Nice!
Glad you picked up on the symbolism. I plan on using that on all my rods from now on. Nice reference on keeping the body by the way. I’m sure we will meet someday.
