I have never built a rod before but I am really excited at the idea of building my own rod. I want a 3wt, 7’6" for the small creeks that are around here. I was checking out our sponsors and found one at Hook and Hackle. My first question is this, if you had never built a rod before would you buy this kit?
My next question is this, I can buy a rod reel and line from bass pro for about a $100. Assumming I can build the rod perfectly, how much better will it be? Will it be the same quality or will as different as a ford pick up and a cadilac?
I know I won’t build it perfectly, but that way I can sort of compare, besides I drive a ford pick up.
I am a fairly competent carpenter, though I am not sure that those skills will make me a good rod maker, but I do like working with my hands. Also, I caught my first fish the other day on a fly that I tied. I was very thrilled and can’t wait to catch my next one on a fly that I tied. I can only imagine how much better that feeling would be if it was on a rod that I built as well.
thanks in advance,
hNt
PS I almost forgot, here is the link to the kit I am looking at, you’ll have to scroll down to kit number, BB763AV
if you have the ability to build things then do it. You can use different colors of thread if so desired. You can write on the blank, personalize it, inlay a feather. You can tweak it several ways. Have fun.
I say go for it as well. But I would do as much research as you can first. Check out whatever books you can on the subject. You’d be surprised how many books of rod building can be found at your local library.
Look for authors like L. A. Garcia, Dale Clemins and my favorite, Art Scheck. Scheck book “Fly Rod Building Made Easy:” has a wealth of knowledge.
Read the Al Campbell stuff on this web site on rod building – it tells you all that you need to know. Rod building is not difficult – if you are a half way competent carpenter you are probably light years ahead of most people starting out rod building.
Take your time ---- don’t rush it. Think about what you are doing — kind of like the measure twice and cut once idea. Wrapping the rod is easy - just time consuming. Look them over closely because if they don’t look good or the guides aren’t straight – then cut the wrap off and reposition the guide and rewrap the guide.
Applying the epoxy over the wraps is probably the most difficult only because you working against the clock but just do what you can with the mix you have and then make a new batch. Get a rod turner – make one, rent one, borrow one-- it will save you a lot of time and make your project look better.
Use this section of the FAOL web site to ask questions and get help when you need it.
Your first rod will probably not turn out the best although it is likely to be very functional – just that the first time at anything is usually not your best.
An inexpensive kit is absolutely the way to go on the first rod. You get everything you need and the rest is up to you putting it together.
As for is it better than something you can buy for $100 — I couldn’t say. What makes something better than something else?? Perception is reality!!
I can tell you that the satisfaction of catching fish on a rod you built is much higher than catching a fish on a store bought production rod. I have built many rods and have many nice big name rods like Winston, Sage, etc. I prefer to use the rods that I built.
I say go for it, plan on a learning curve. you will make mistakes but most are not fatal. The next one you build you will eliminate the mistakes that you made on the first rod and then you will make them somewhere else. Thats OK.
I am virtually certain that is the same kit that I used for my first rod build last year. It was a typical first rod by someone who is not much of a craftsman - I dubbed it “The Ugly Duckling” - but the complete kit made building it much easier and it turned out to be a very fishable rod.
I don’t advocate for kits, but they do have some advantages for the first time builder. Once you get one rod under your belt, you know what you really need to get the job done.
Also, if you run back through the Rod Building Forum threads for the past year, maybe a bit more, you will find a thread on a home made rod building station that can be built by a carpenter in about half an hour at a cost of about $12. While some will tell you that you don’t need one, and they would be right, I think most will tell you that it will help you do a better job, and that doing a better job on the first rod means you’ll be that far ahead when you start the second one.
Boy oh Boy! Ive got to agree with everyone about the rod building.
I too have to give Mudhole a nod and if I can quote this gentleman…“Mudhole has a much bigger kit selection than anyone I’ve seen: http://www.mudhole.com/Shop-Our-Cata...plete-Rod-Kits…”
Call and ask for “Bob McKamey” at X-114 and tell him “Sully” sent ya and what your intentions are. He’ll get ya set up in good style.
And as has been mentioned…DONT get in a hurry!! Take your time and if you are unsure about …??.. then ASK
Its not difficult to build a great rod…its just something different from what you have done in the past is all
Rod building is sorta like catchin fish with flies you tied yourself. Somehow seems to make the experience better. For starters, go with a rod kit that has everything you need to build & complete the rod. Me i fish only bamboo rods so had to build one from scratch. More important is take your time and have fun…
I think that is exactly what I am looking for! I knew this was the place to ask! Now I just need to do alot of research and reading before starting. You guys better get ready for a lot of dumb questions.
I agree: if you have some patience and are good with your hands, you will enjoy building your own rod. It is nice to use a kit because it takes away the worry of figuring out what parts to get. I do recommend the L A Garcia video for some good tips like starting and finishing the thread wraps. I made my own wrapper from shelf stock, patterned after a rod builder I saw at a show. I am a carpenter, too. Take it seriously to mix the thread epoxy well. My first rod didn’t turn out that great; the cork grip cracked because I forced it over the reelseat thinking cork would stretch. It does not stretch. Other than that, it fishes great and I still use it.
I’ve built many rods from H & H . They are all first rate. Go for it! As a carpenter you probably can whip a rod wrapping station easily. There are many different styles on line so Google it.
You will get a special sense of accomplishment by building your own rod, BUT I don’t think that you will save a dime. I just bought a couple of rods from Albright right now. The sale ends at the end of the month. You probably can’t buy a kit to put it together for what they are selling completed rods for right now.
If you want to build a rod, build it for the experience and the sense of pride that you will get from doing it. It will be custom and you will have the choice of guide wrap colors, style of handle etc. If you are looking for a way to save money here is one way for the next week or so: http://www.albrightflyfish.com/
There is a lot of good information on this site, but I would not limit your research to ONLY this site. You will find many different techniques and preferences out there to do anything, you should find whats available from many sources and not just one persons opinion. Bottom line find out works and makes sense for you.
I myself only use rod varnish and never use epoxy for finishing wraps. It make take longer with multiple coats but the end result can look much better. Besides, why do you want to rush something that has very little margin for error? And something you have to look at everytime to you take that rod out? All my rods have been for myself, so I don’t mind taking the to make them perfect for me.
10 to 12 thin coats of varnish will give the look as epoxy, and there are NEVER any bubbles. The best attribute to me for varnish is that it soaks into the threads and literally glues the thread to the blank (epoxy just coats the top of the threads. To me this makes varnish much stronger.
For your first rod I would recommend varnish, but if you insist on epoxy, wrap a 1/2" worth of thread wraps on a a 3/8" dowel in several places a few inches apart and then epoxy them until you figure out what your doing.
I’ll be the first to agree that a person cant build a higher quality rod for something like 25-40% of what a factory rod would cost…BUT…
Is it the same identical rod blank?
Does the factory rod FIT the person almost perfectly?
All blanks are NOT alike ( like thee aspirin commercial says) Also all rods of the same weight and length dont possess the same amount of “lower butt power”.
I, myself have small hands for a man and I found I needed about 1/8" taken off the diameter of the standard cork handle…No big deal when your spinning it on your lathe and can give it a few licks with the right grades of paper.
Even “tricks” as to guide SIZE and guide PLACEMENT can improve the casting abilities of a good blank.
But it depends on what the individual wants. If one wants a $100 rod…then rush out and buy one. If you want a $300 dollar rod…build it yourself for $150-$175
Having built numerous rods (glass & graphite) and refurbished several bamboo rods over the past 40 years, the only thing I can add of substance to the above comments is to simply stick to that fundamental tennet of all good carpenters:“Measure twice; cut once.”
Having built numerous glass and graphite rods, and refurbishing several bamboo rods, over the past 40 years, the only meaningful thing I can add to the previous posts is to adhere to that ages-old carpenters tennet: “Measure twice; cut once”. Do that and you “got it” made!
