It is currently 28 Mar 2024, 17:23


New Topic Add Reply
Author Message
Post 04 Dec 2022, 22:40 • #1 
Sport
Joined: 07/27/21
Posts: 46
Location: WV,MD,NC,SC,TN,NY but mostly PA
So I finally finished it tonight. My first rod build.
What a pain! :lol

I have a new found respect for the amazing rod builders on this forum and the talent they have. I also can't say enough about the amount of info a newbie, hobbyist, professional or who ever can glean on this site. So slow clap to this resource because it is just that, a very valuable resource with talented individuals.

I came across one of these blanks uncut and couldn't help but try to build it out myself. I own 4 of this rods now, 2 yellow 1 pc models, 1 brown 1 pc model and a 2 Pc brown (FL72-5). The 1 pc models just cast like a dream.

This rod took me 2 months to build, a bunch of research, then some more, then oh crap moments and more search bar functions. So I appreciate everything on this site. It's very valuable.

I should have taken more pics during the building process but I didn't. I apologize. It slipped my mind as I had to do this in pieces between work, raising kids, being a husband and serving God etc....

I know my kids are glad to regain their art table back, albeit with 5000 pieces of thread on it and spar varnish. :lol

Here are the components used:

6' 1pc 72-6 Fenwick Blank
Fiberglass stent
Spalted Maple dual ring RL Reel Seat w blued hardware(love these reel seats)
H&H English Twist Guides in Black
Pac Bay black frame low profile agate stripping guide.
Pac Bay Black tip top
Fuji Back Nylon Thread size A NOCP
Fuji Golden Rod Nylon Thread size A NOCP
Black Ring hook keeper
Black Rubber winding check
Proof fly fishing blunt nose rod grip 6.5"
Mini Wax Spar Urethane
White Gorilla Glue
JB Weld

My intention was to extend the rod a few inches for better mending. I also know that this rod isn't exactly the classy simple build many do on here. It's a yellow fly rod, it's kind of obnoxious, and I like yellow fly rods that way, but while I wanted to do something obnoxious I wanted it to be traditional yet different.

Anyways without further ado....



How do you like that make shift set up? :lol
Yes, the art table is in a kitchen. I live in a full farm house and have two kitchens. We don't cook in this one, could you imagine if you setup a fly rod station for two months in the kitchen the wife cooks in? I couldn't.
I don't own a rod turner, I made a make shift wrapping station, used a cup and heavy Bibles with a hook for tension, the Lord provides, it isn't always pretty but it works.



Thought I'd do a butt wrap in bee pattern





I know the wraps are long. It was on purpose, kind of like older rods, like Silaflex, traditional yet different.



As it works up the blank towards the tip, the bee pattern gets smaller until a single line at the tip top
















I ended up applying spar vanish as a rod finish, then a light scotch bright on the rod sections between the wraps, then used 3 thin coats of white Gorilla glue wiped on to regain the shine. This really brought the action back to the rod but allows for some UV protection.

Perhaps the best part is what my daughter made me. I bought her a Cricut for her birthday in November, she has been learning how to use it. She is a big craft fanatic. She made me a black vinyl sticker of a honey bee to put on the rod. I applied it and vanished over it.
:)



So there it is. It was an experience and I learned a great many things. Thankfully all my mistakes were able to be fixed before they became permanent
I had it out in the lawn this evening. It balances well with a CFOlll and casts a WF5 very well.
Christmas came early.

I look forward to using it this spring Lord willing, my kids look forward to having their craft table back for now.
:lol:

I have one more build. A 6'1" 3.5wt 2pc black Fibatube I acquired. Don't worry, it's going to be all black, not nearly as obnoxious. At least for you, the kids on the other hand are losing the table again for awhile come January ;)


Last edited by sixfootfenwick on 04 Dec 2022, 22:44, edited 1 time in total.

Top
  
Quote
Post 04 Dec 2022, 22:43 • #2 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 01/26/07
Posts: 1385
Location: Ada, Oklahoma
Well done. Definitely different, but not obnoxious to my eye.

Larry


Top
  
Quote
Post 05 Dec 2022, 08:43 • #3 
Guide
Joined: 03/21/22
Posts: 172
Location: US-PA
I really like that build! The bee sticker is a very nice touch. I don't mind the yellow blank at all, big fan of Phillipson masters and their yellow blanks. Awesome job, thanks for sharing.


Top
  
Quote
Post 05 Dec 2022, 09:23 • #4 
Guide
Joined: 07/07/19
Posts: 221
Location: US-WI
What’s NOT to appreciate about that build? Great work! Who knows, maybe your daughter or even your granddaughter will be fishing that rod someday:)


Top
  
Quote
Post 05 Dec 2022, 09:56 • #5 
Sport
Joined: 07/27/21
Posts: 46
Location: WV,MD,NC,SC,TN,NY but mostly PA
Thanks a lot guys!
I think it came out great too, don't get me wrong I also love yellow fly rods, it's more of a joke than anything. I've always made jokes about yellow fiberglass rods.

Here in the Appalachian Mountains, we take loud yellow rods with shiny varnish and wave them around high in the air fishing to spooky brook trout :lol

I would love it if the kids find it and use it one day too.


Top
  
Quote
Post 05 Dec 2022, 15:12 • #6 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/05/06
Posts: 2087
Location: US-PA
You need to get yourself some of these (or a reasonable facsimile):



And whip up some bee flies (the way Bill does them) and fish them with that rod. Foam bees work great for me and brookies love them.

BTW - Excellent job on the rod!!!


Top
  
Quote
Post 05 Dec 2022, 22:10 • #7 
Master Guide
Joined: 07/21/21
Posts: 447
Location: Florida
Nice job! Looks great.


Top
  
Quote
Post 05 Dec 2022, 22:26 • #8 
Guide
Joined: 03/02/14
Posts: 144
Location: US-peripatetic
Very nice! I especially like the ones where you show it on The Word!!


Top
  
Quote
Post 06 Dec 2022, 12:20 • #9 
Sport
Joined: 12/16/21
Posts: 32
Very nice, you did a excellent job. The honey bee sticker is the kicker, my wife has a circut also, you’ve got thinking.
Mike.


Top
  
Quote
Post 06 Dec 2022, 17:53 • #10 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/22/16
Posts: 1760
Location: SJC
Nice !


Top
  
Quote
Post 06 Dec 2022, 18:42 • #11 
Master Guide
Joined: 02/07/18
Posts: 428
Location: US-MA
That is a lovely build of that rod. I think that will be a fantastic rod to go after brookies.


Top
  
Quote
Post 06 Dec 2022, 21:38 • #12 
Master Guide
Joined: 07/26/21
Posts: 383
Location: North West Georgia
Wow. Your thread work is really exceptional. Bravo, and a slow clap to you too! Who cares if its loud, Id take one! I cant wait for fishing updates. Also, Im a big fan of the idea of a 5 wt in that length. Brookies down here want big bugs.


Top
  
Quote
Post 06 Dec 2022, 23:33 • #13 
Master Guide
Joined: 01/04/18
Posts: 397
Location: Belair Maryland/Swanton Maryland
As a fellow Appalachian Angler who waves bright yellow rods around in the air at Spooktastic Brook Trout


I say AMEN 6ftfenwick !

Great job on the build .
You should bring your Honey Bee to the Western Maryland Conclave this spring and hang out with my Fenwick Yellow Jacket and friends ..

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=75282

Come on down 6footfenwick …. My personal invite for you to wave shiny yellow rods at shy Brown Trout on the Savage River together.

Can’t wait to see that rod sting a few fish :)
Scotto


Top
  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  

New Topic Add Reply



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Jump to:  
Google
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group