On Aug 13, 7:41 am, mdk77 wrote:
I ran across this on the internet and wondered what the advantages and
disadvantages are to building your own fly rod. Is this something the
average fisherman should stay away from (too difficult)? Anyone here
fish rods they built themselves? What are some recommended resources
for this (books, web sites etc.).

I'm a guy who is a hopeless DIY person. It's a sickness :-( and an
ongoing source of ribbing from my teenage children when I try to build
everything from our radio's to our furniture. They do think it's cool
that I tie my own flies though. Their friends tell them they're not
sure if I'm a madman or a genius (definitely a madman IMHO).

Thanks in advance for the info.

It's not rocket scinece. There is skill involved and it takes a
little practice. Appearance of the final product is a reflection of
your skill. All the rods I ahve built are ugly. I have friends who
have works of art they fish with. They go for things like $50 reel
seats and wrap guides in elaborate patterns with muti-colored
threads.
Shop the internet for components, there is a wide variety of prices.
There are seconds and "surplus" balnks.
Build your first rod out of cheap components. The techniques used on
cheap components are the same ones you use with a $400 blank.
Start lookng for a low rpm motor like the one in a washing macnie
timer ( getting rare as more washers have solid state timers).
Turning the rod as laquor ( epoxy etc. ) on the guides dries is
important. Lumps in the finish of the guide windings is IMO the most
common error.