very nice…are you using the spar on the wraps as well?
I used Minwax, Wipe-On, Clear, Gloss, polyurethane on the blank. I’m planning on using Minwax, Paint-On, Clear, Gloss, polyurethane for the wraps. It’s a bit thicker then the Wipe-On. I was planning on using tan wraps with chestnut tipping. Now that I have black hardware, I’m planning on chestnut wraps with black tipping. My thoughts are, as always, subject to change.
[LEFT]I feel compelled to let you all know that the rod is cleaning up really well. All the overdose epoxy is coming off as well as I had expected. My disappointment however, is that all the places I had local to buy rod building components have discontinued all their rod building components. What a bumber. Even my local Cabela’s has poor selections and tells me that they are waiting for their next delivery. Too slow, too late, too bad. I actually went to my local Sportsman’s Warehouse and asked them if they had any rod building components. My answer was; “No, and I don’t plan on stocking them. Have a good day sir.” They didn’t even offer to order them for me. Looks like all my rod building endeavors are going to be supplied from online sources. Lucky for me that we have some great rod building sources as sponsors here at FAOL. I’ve built several rods, and I’ve always used local dealers. Now I’m going to have to shop exclusively online. Oh-Well, that will have to do. And I think it will do nicely. BTW, I’m looking for black double foot snake guides, and a black flip up hook keeper.
[/LEFT]
Anglers Workshop Joe. Hopkins & Holloway black snake part #HSSGB but they’re expensive.
Flip up hookeeper is BHKM
Maybe there are some less expensive black snake guides out there. I built a Lami 3 pc. 5w years ago and used black hardware. It looks ok, but I think next time I’d find some guides that are blued. Good luck in your endevor.
I really do like Angler’s Workshop. However, Snake Brand has good components at a better price. I looked at Golden Witch and they have great prices and quality parts as well. Not sure where I’m going to buy, someplace soon though.
I’m momentarily perplexed, but I’ll get over it. I’m just really dissatisfied with Cabela’s and Sportsman’s Warehouse.
I must have had a brain ****. Snake Brand has black nickel silver guides too. I’ve used Snake Brand for 99% of my builds for some time now. Just haven’t ordered black or blued guides from them. Golden Witch is a great source too.
I got the black guides from AW years ago for the Lami build, but they didn’t seem that expensive back then. SBG have bronze guides also. Maybe next build I’ll think about bronze.
Lo…beware the flip up hook keeper. I have used these on all my graphite rods with no problems at all. But… I recently installed one on a new boo and the first time out the keeper slipped out from under the sealed thread wrap and dissapeared. If you use the flip up I highly recommend a drop of epoxy or something under it before wrapping. I have deceided against it , and am going with the old style ring and saddle keeper…Ed
Sage advice Smernsky. I also like the loose ring hook keepers. Very traditional. Perhaps I’ll go with that if I can find it in black.
Thanks,
Lo , I just ordered mine from Golden Witch. Not black, but blued…Ed
I just got a set of black nickel from snake brand and they are terrific, but not very black, if you are looking for a real black look.
hook keeper’s are totally unnecesary. as such my advice is don’t even bother with them.
result is a much tidier butt wrap. again of course that’s just my opinion.
Dont want to get into the validity of a hook keeper here, but they are a nice convenience when moving from spot to spot with a fly tied on your line. Also you’ll notice, and have probably read about the habit of the ol’ timers sticking the hooked fly in their cork grip which attributes to a lot of the chewed up grips on older rods…With that said …it becomes just a matter of personal preference I guess.
Before I built the Elkhorn, I went up to the Trout Hunter shop in Island Park ID to look at their selection of ( high end ) bamboo rods. They had ten or twelve bamboo rods that ranged in price, as I best recall, from about $1200 to $1800.
Only ONE of those rods had a hook keeper. Made me wonder if hook keepers are a glass and graphite tradition rather than a bamboo thing ??
John
I think the hook keeper is a personal preference thing. I quit using them a long time ago for the following reasons.
-
If you put the fly in the keeper and wind the line up snug, the line/leader knot ends up inside the guides and it can hang up when you pull the line out again.
-
You can put a crimp in your leader where it passes over the tip top.
-
I got tired of pricking myself on the fly when I picked up the rod wrong.
Now I just loop the leader around the reel spool once and hook the fly into the stripper guide frame. Problems solved.
Man…I sure dont want to Hi-jack this post and I hope ya dont mind these comments LO.
All good points about hook keepers .ya and na. I like Shaky’s idea , and would never of thought of doing that. John…I’ll take issue with so called high end rod’s without a keeper. I have always taken issue with them. For $2000. rods for the most part dont even come close to traditional, with the exception of their being bamboo.
I’m done…sorry Lo…build it your way!
No Sweat about the Hi Jack Smern, not a problem.
I know how to use a rod without hook keepers so that’s not a problem with me. I can use them or not use them. The only reason I want a hook keeper is because I think they are a traditional addition to a traditional rod. All the older boo sticks I ever looked at had hook keepers. They aren’t needed, they are just a cool characteristic. Like fender skirts on a '57 Chevy. Like you say; it’s only a matter of personal preference.
Finally got the black guides and tip top. And, hook keeper. Found them at Cabela’s of all places. Next I’ll be working on guide placement and wrap colors. I’m still leaning toward tan wraps and chestnut tipping. Final decision is still pending however.
Hook keepers are a matter of preference – I like 'em.