New rod for myself...

[Dark Cloud]

Started working on a new stick for myself. A 9'6" 6wt flyrod that I finished the handle on just a bit ago. Heres some picts of the handle construction...

Just a pile of craft foam, regular cork, burl cork, and rubber composit cork...

Bottom is the fighting butt glued and top is the handle before glueing...

Heres my homemade clamp. I drill each ring to fit the arrow shaft, then some 2-part epoxy on each ring, and tighten down the wing-nuts...

Starting to shape up on the lathe...

And finished with my new reel. The reel has a blue dunn finish and I found some blue backing to go with the greenish line. THats why I went with the blue and green color scheme in the handle. I'll carry that scheme over to the thread wraps. Also found and am excited about that reel seat with the trout on it...

[upnorth]

Nice stuff there Dark Cloud.

I just chucked up a nice piece of red cedar earlier today to start a new rod.

[mrfish1991]

nice work!

[rodmaker]

Very nice

[harvey lee]

Looks like a show piece. Nice job Dark

[Dark Cloud]

Thanks all!

Harvey - I'll baby the rod a bit but I cant wait to get some trout slime on the handle.

I need to get her wrapped, the first good hatches will be happening soon...

[rodmaker]

Going to finish the Loomis GLX SJR 842 Tues. I'll get photos here next week

[Northlander]

Very nice Dark! I like them colors in that cork.

[unfrozen]

I turn my own handles as well. Eastern Red Cedar is one of my favorite woods to turn. But it's not always easy to find. Have you found a reliable source?

Thanks

[upnorth]

Actually built a rod for guy(with his materials) in turn for a large bin of variety of wood. Red cedar, walnut, apple, buckhorn box elder, maple and birch. I have also just scrounged up some dead fall white cedar and that stuff is excellent, very light and can have some real character.

[CNY Tim]

Well done my friend!

[Dark Cloud]

Finally got a chance to finish this rod. Im heading to canada in a few weeks and I wanted this for the smallies. Went with single foot guides and found thread to match the color in the handle...

Stripping guide...

Usually I do a 3 color diamond wrap, went witha cheveron wrap on this one. I should have take picts of the layout. Basically its a 1/2 inch spaced cross wrap that you only add to the left side of the X...

Two closeups...

Second coat of color preserver goes on tonight, then finish tomorrow, ready to fish after that. I did cast her in the yard tonight - very nice!

[upnorth]

Very nice work DC.

[Cooter]

Impressive to say the least!

[mrklean]

nice looking wrap on there

[Mike Wallace]

Threadwork is impeccable, nice looking oufit.

Where did you get the reel seat?

[Dark Cloud]

Thanks all!

Mike W - I got the reel seat through Netcraft. I like that it has double rings to lock the reel on. Plus it is unique and the price is very nice. They also have a few that are similar but have wood inserts and no fish...

[Olfster]

Wow. I think I found a new hobby to try. That wrap is absolutely stunning. Great work.

[Dark Cloud]

Thanks Olf!

Heres a few picts of the rod in action. Im really happy with it. She casts great and plays fish great also...