New Fiberglass Rod (I just finished it)

[letumgo]

I just completed a new rod based on the Honey Colored Lamiglas Fiberglass Blank (Model FL 904 / 0.445 Butt diameter / 5.5 tip diameter). The handle was custom made for me by steeldrifter (http://www.rodbuildingforum.com) using a variety of exotic corks. The reel seat is a Struble D-1 Deluxe Downlocking Seat with a custom turned Butternut insert. The butternut wood has sentimental value to me, since it was given to me by my father many years ago. The wood is from some scrap pieces he used in our old house. I also used a metal winding check for the first time, which took a bit of fitting. I put the whole rod together, did the wraps and finish work. The wraps are done with standard red Gudebrod (Size A) nylon thread, with black and gold accent trim wraps. It was hard to get a decent photo of the full rod, so I hope you enjoy the close-up shots.

The wraps have two coats of U-40 Color Lock 2 (color preservative) and five coats of U-40 Perma-Gloss (activated urethane finish).

Thanks steeldrifter (Steve) for turning the handle and reel seat for me. I think the go beautifully with the honey colored blank. I can't wait to fish soft hackle flies on this rod.

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[letumgo]

Custom Turned Butternut Reel Seats

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[letumgo]

Trim & Wrap Details

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[skunkaroo]

Wow Ray, great job. Love the red wraps against the soft yellow.

Aaron

[daringduffer]

Ray,

May the fishing gods be with you with your new POP rod. Well done! Looking forward to enthusiastic reports on how well it casts...

dd

[Ron Eagle Elk]

Ray, That's just beautiful. The wraps look like you painted them on, they're so smooth. Great color combination.

[William Anderson]

Ray, it might have been nice to see some silver tinsel under those silk wraps. A little Fiber "Pop" Rod.

Just kidding. That is a very handsome rod. Impressive workmanship. I hope to work on some older rods myself someday. You set a very high standard.

w

[redietz]

Very nice, except that the reel looks out of place.

It really needs a Medalist.

[Jerry G]

Ray, cool looking 904 nice job on those wraps. Sure hope you enjoy your 904 as much as I have mine. I'm on the second season of using mine. Most of my trout fishing is on small streams and this rod just makes it an awful lot of fun.

Regards, Jerry

[Ruard]

Hi Ray,

You build the rod very beautiful. I like the the rings with one leg you put on this blank. I like my rods more simple more decent but that is enririly a question of taste. I am now building a bamboorod for #3 on a blank of Joost Stolk. If it is finished I shall place some pictures on this forum.