Who all are building new rods this spring?

[harvey lee]

I for 1 have taken a class from Midwest Rod & Reel and am looking forward to building more as this is alot of fun.

[upnorth]

I have a four in progress, but only one if for me I may have to order up another blank or two tho. I am thinking I could use another walleye rod and I have been playing with fly fishing a little and think maybe a 7 wt may be in order.

[drowned minnow]

Will be building a surf rod this summer after I get moved to Florida.

[Jackpine Rob]

Getting ready to start on a spinning pack rod for a buddy of mine. 6' / 4 piece Rainshadow blank. Concealed hood handle. Trying to nail down the guides now - looking for some lower profile guides.

[upnorth]

Have you considered single foot fly guides?

[muc33]

My rookie voyage in rod building will start on Friday May 9th. Fish opener morning, then back to building and again same schedule on Sunday. I am building 3 rods. A couple 6'6" Mediums and a 5'6" Ultra light. I can't wait!

[Jackpine Rob]

Funny you should ask!! I was just looking at some last night, wondering if that might not be the answer.

A few years ago Fuji made low-profile single-foots and those double foots with the smaller foot in front in both black and gold finishes, but I haven't seen them for a while.

My buddy is reeeeaaaaallll tough on equipment, and that's why I'm a little concerned the fly rod guides might not last more than an hour or two.

Do you remember that Ugly Stick commercial where the guy with the bulging forearms bends the tip to the base of the handle?? My buddy seems to think this is required of all rods. Makes me cringe sometimes! I've already warned him that trying that stunt with a 4 piece rod is asking for disaster, but I fear he will find new and even more punishing "tests".

[upnorth]

They going to be as tough as ceramic style spinning guides, just sit lower to the blank. I put them on a Steelhead rod 20+ years ago and they are still in good shape and beating around the rivers ain't easy on anything.

[Mike Wallace]

I have two 8'6" muskie rods drying now (one is for me, woo hoo) and a third one (5'er) for my daughter (of course it's pink...and purple...and more pink).

I did just buy another reel, maybe it's time to start another one...?

[Dark Cloud]

Seems I always have a rod in the "works". Next for me is a 11 ft Talon blank 6wt flyrod. The handle is done and guides may start tonight. After that probably another 7 ft eye stick - still trying to decide on either a Loomis or Croix blank. I also have a bamboo fly blank sitting here looking at me...

[upnorth]

Speaking of Bamboo one of my co-workers builds bamboo fly rods from scratch. Real high end stuff. He gets big $$$ for his rods.

[Dark Cloud]

I have always wanted a B-boo but the price on even the blanks is crazy. But if you look at what goes into making a blank from scratch I understand the $$$. I picked up a blank off HSOList but run it by him, what would he get for a blank - say a 8ft 5wt?

[upnorth]

He usually gets about $1000+ complete but if you want I can ask about a blank.

[Dark Cloud]

See if he's got a "blem" laying around for $50, lol

[upnorth]

Yeah, he caters to the real purists. I talked to him about it one time and he says he has like 40 to 50 hours just into the blank. I mean he cuts the strips planes them to the proper taper and then glues em up. All hand fitting on the ferrules and all that. It's just nuts.

[broodwich]

I just finished building three rods. Two were medium bass rods and the third was a beautiful st croix legend elite, medium light. Starting on my fourth rod next week.

[ezwalt]

Building my 1st rod ever with Midwest Rod & Real and am really enjoying the process.

[CustomRodFan]

Just put color lock on the rod I am donating to the Delta Waterfowl banquet in Grand Rapids 4/3/08, have 1 going for the Rough Grouse banquet in mid April and 3 going for my kids' church / school fundraiser end of April.

Next to that, I have about 20 blanks that need to find a home....