Looking real good Blue. John
That does look good Blue.
I’ll post pics of mine when I get the wraps done.
Nice very very nice. I really like the color theme you have going with the rod. With the thickness of the butt of the rod the full wells look awesome. nicely done my friend
Thanks. I gave it the wiggle test tonight, and I think these are going to be neat little fly rods. I might have to go do a yard cast or 2 tomorrow.
Nice blue…ok I’ve got a couple of questions I went into my rod building supplies and the bag holding my flex coat and flex coat lite where tacky. The bottles don’t look like their leaking…possible causes. And, what’s the self life of flex coat…am I going to have problems considering that this is a year, year and half old?
Also, I know most, ferrule the blank before putting on components and wraps…do you see any problems if I start that process before installing the ferrules?
Also, I think I found the thread for my wraps a black metallic…haven’t decided whether I’m tipping or not…
Shouldn’t be a problem. The finish is probably fine. If you are concerned, mix up a small batch and test it out.
If you are using Sulky metallic thread (which your picture sort of looks like), you’ll like it. It is my favorite. I used Gudebrod this time, and remembered why I prefer the Sulky. Sulky doesn’t have the inner material, so it doesn’t have the separation problems the Gudebrod does. My favorite rod I’ve ever wrapped was with a pine green sulky metallic with gold trim. Absolutely beautiful colors.
Well i’ve got the tip section wrapped and ready for finish. I’ve realized that since 95 % of the rods I do are bambo repairs/restorations, My color pallete is very “earthy”. So whomever get mine, don’t expect any bright greens, blues or reds. In fact expect a really nice old tan and dark brown jasper wrap. I pakce the thread up at a rod shop sale years ago and there is just enough on the spool to finish a small rod like the “tadpole”
BTW is anybody doing decals?
Have some really nifty NASCAR decals to place up and down the rod …
Nah, just kidding! Hadn’t planned on using the decal that came with it. Think I’ll just hand write “FAOL Rod Swap '09” on one side and “Tadpole built by Betty Hiner” on the other. Could add weight to it, if I knew what it translated to in “Flyfish”!!
I put the decal that came with it on the rod. I think it will help if anyone wants to duplicate the action many years from now. I’m not sure if I’m going to put my name on it or not…
I am writing my name and FAOL tadpole swap 2009 on mine…one problem…my handwriting STINKS! looks like a 2nd grader did it. One more try and that will be it. That is what the lucky swapper will get.
Brad
I’ve got money left in the budget and I’m thinking of geting a decal done from Decal connection with the built by … and some other details. I’ve gotten decals from these guys before and they are fast, good and cheap.
Do we/anybody/Kaboom know what the line weight will be on this puppy? 
I think it’s specified as a 5wt
I have cast mine with a 4 and a 5 They both work well for me. I had a casting instructor at the Cleveland show cast it and he liked the 5 wt.
YMMV
Brad
Ok got the word the blanks have been shiped finally. Also sent me a decal kit for making my own. Don’t know how that will work out but we shall see. Two rods to go and I will be on it. Went down today and got a razer knife and miter box to go with it. got all the componets just waiting. goiing to try the one ferrule where you put it inside the rod. bought a icefishing pole for that. Think I shall be done by the time I head for Salmon to chase the Big steelhead. Haven’t come up with a color scheme yet but it will be ugly. Of that I am sure I am not good on colors.
I have been following this swap, and I am really looking forward to seeing the photos of the builds. It will be fun to see what everyone does with these rods.
Greg
I will second that. A great product. I used a metallic pen and put my name on it with a 4/5 weight designation.
OOOOPS!!! Sorry Brad! Got the blank is fine condition while the boy’s were here and completely forgot to let you know. Installed a LamiGlass ferrule and am wrapping the guides. I went with Titanium single foot guides and black thread. Black on black is not fun!!!
I may just take it fishing Monday when Jason (hungNtree) comes down to beat up on the Duck River.
Just took mine off of the rod dryer Jack. Not a flawless fininsh, but I think it will work. Used chrome snakes, gunmetal wraps which went almost clear (they look kind of smokey) and silver metallic trim rings. I’ll post a couple of pictures tomorrow.
Brad
Here are a couple of pictures of my swap rod
Gunmetal wraps, no CP silver 5 turn trim rings
A picture of the ferrule
And my terrible handwriting
