kinzua - the guides are made from a quality spring wire, the feet are pressed with a hydraulic press, the feet are dressed, and then they are blued. It's the same wire that has been used before they were guides available at stores. I made the wire forming tools and the forms to prep the guide feet.

I would say that dirty fly lines and saltwater would wear the guides prematurely, but I wouldn't recommend my trout rods for saltwater or dirty fly lines ... Under normal use, they will hold up very well. Some bluing will wear down in time, just as some types of plating use on commercial guides today. In all, chrome plating is the most durable and practical for snake guides and REC's Recoil (titanium alloy) are very durable. I know many rods out there that have handmade snake guides, like the ones I'm doing, that have seen a lot of time on the water for the last 15 years.

Fred, nice lathe now i'm searching for one like that ... did you say the craftsman lathes were the same?

Wow! Beautiful Model C. It looks like an early model in really great condition.

tcpits, The Sears Craftsman lathes were built by Atlas. The example photos in Garrison's book were of a 10" Atlas. They are nice machines, but not quite in the class of the South Bends. For the ultimate lathe identification resource, check out Tony Griffith's Lathe Page. It's good for determining if a potential acquisition has all the parts. Keep an eye on your local Craig's list. Unlike Sherlines and Unimats, most sellers won't ship an Atlas or South Bend. As a result, you can be aggressive with your bargaining.

Tom

South Bends are nice lathes, the smaller ones aren't easy to find. I was a machinery broker for quite a few years in the textile industry and saw my share of big lathes (think 12 foot beds). Getting one skidded and loaded on a flatbed or a container was no easy task, they were heavy. It's great to see one put to a noble use ...

Congratulations! Your lathe looks more poweful than mine.
I'd like you to introduce "Nagao-lab" http://nagao-kenkyusyo.de-blog.jp/58/cat5811504/index.html. They provides innovative cutting tool for rod builder.
They produce it for any type of lathe. I'm using their products for my Sherline.

I got a 703-3 dark brown series rod from Fred before Christmas. A fantastic action, built light with very elegant appointments.

what have you tried and what might you be looking for?

I guess weight is my main issue. I know these rods will generally weigh more, although I see more modern rods that are very light. I have a T&T and a Great Bay that don't do much for me. I haven't cast the Great Bay just doesn't feel right to me in my hand. Fished the Heirloom 8' 4wt two times it's okay, it just doesn't feel like I think any premium rod should feel, it's kind of beefy for a 4wt.

The 836-3 is a progressive taper, a very smooth and powerful rod that has nice touch up close.

A few new things coming for FH Paddock Fly Rods ...

The brown series will be undergoing a color change to gloss black ... and be on the website as "black". The taper will have a slight change, but still be based as a medium action. A full action that has good reserve and casts a straight and smooth line. The models in the lineup are: 7'0"-#3-3pc., 7'6"-#4-3pc., 8'0"-#4-3pc., 8'0"-#5-3pc., and 8'3"-#6-3pc. These blanks are tip over butt ferrules and are extremely durable. The black series will have high quality components and a spartan look, just good fishing tools. The appointments for this series is a REC LCRNS (nickel silver) cap and ring reel seat for the 703, 764, and 804. A Struble D-1 for the 805 and 836. The wood inserts will be cherry from the lathe. The guides will be a Mildrum MRF with Perfection chrome. The thread will be "gold fish" orange with a low build epoxy. All the models will have a hand shaped flor grade cork from my lathe. They will come in a khaki rod bag with a "black on black" aluminum rod tube.

The lemon drop series will remain the same, they will be offered as: 7'0", 7'3", 7'6", and 7'9" in a 3wt taper. 7'4", 7'7", 7'11" in a 4wt taper. They will be available as a 2pc. or 3pc. The lemon drop series is spigot ferrules, configured in house. I can do custom configurations, but that would be on a case by case basis. The lemon drop series will have a standardized component appointments, like the black series. This series will have tipping throughout. The lemon drop series will be appointed with a REC LCRNS reel seat with a curly maple insert from the lathe. The guides will be a Midrum MRF with Snake Brand bronze guides, the tip top will be in black nickel finish by Snake Brand. The thread will be "yellowfin" yellow with "hot orange" tipping, the finish will be a low build epoxy. Cork is flor grade, hand turned. They will come in a yellow rod bag and a "gold (hardware) on black" aluminum rod tube.

I have another model that will be coming out soon ... this rod is called "The One". It's a 7'10"-3pc., designed as a 4wt. It's a very capable taper and handles lines from 3-6wt. I found it best with a 4wt or 5wt line. "The One" has a wonderful color to it and a great feel. It will be ready to show soon. If there is enough interest and demand in this rod, I plan to add another taper with this color. A 8'4"-3pc., designed as a 5wt. I will update the rod appointments for this series soon ...

I will make all efforts to keep a standardization of rod appointments, this will help keep the prices down on the builds without compromise to quality and craftsmanship. I hope to have a more streamline delivery time, though it's a few months ... it's still a little waiting period.

If there's any interest, I will be accepting pre-orders. Once the list gets to an "almost out of control number" ... I will have to stop taking orders.

All the rod appointments are set and the models will (hopefully) get started to show up on the website soon enough. I won't be stocking a large numbers of blanks. I will offer varnish as an option to the finish, as well as custom work.

Awesome looking, Can't wait to see pictures of a complete built up one. Awesome job, Fred!

Has anyone casted The One? If so any thoughts or comparisons? Appearance wise they are awesome and Fred's standards are at the highest levels in rod building for any medium. I have also found his analysis of his rods' action to be spot on. Just curious if anyone has picked up these special looking rods. Thanks

As a note ... the model name The One was created by me well before any press releases or knowledge of Sage's new model One ...

Since Sage's trademark lawyer has sent me a message to urge me not to use The One name ... I will not be using The One name, it's not as important to me, as to it is to others ... I just want to build rods that others can appreciate and enjoy, to build memories with ...