Personalizing a rod?

Because of logistics, I will be buying 18 identical sets of fishing
gear for the kids' trip. That means the same make/model rod, reel and
color/type of line.

The question is: how can I have the kids personalize their rod and/or
reel so that they can tell it apart from the others? I'm thinking of
silly little ways like wrapping different colored thread around the
shaft, or taping their name under the reel foot, but maybe someone has
a better idea?

--riverman

riverman wrote:
Because of logistics, I will be buying 18 identical sets of fishing
gear for the kids' trip. That means the same make/model rod, reel and
color/type of line.

The question is: how can I have the kids personalize their rod and/or
reel so that they can tell it apart from the others? I'm thinking of
silly little ways like wrapping different colored thread around the
shaft, or taping their name under the reel foot, but maybe someone has
a better idea?

Are you sure you need to personalize them ? I mean if
they're all identical, why bother ? What's going to
happen to these rigs after the trip ?

--
Ken Fortenberry

On Nov 6, 10:01 am, Ken Fortenberry
wrote:
Are you sure you need to personalize them ? I mean if
they're all identical, why bother ? What's going to
happen to these rigs after the trip ?

Three good questions, actually. From the student side, I can see some
value in each student feeling connected or possessive of "their" rod
to the extent that ID would be worth the minor effort of labelling.
The most significant issue I can imagine is from Myron's side in
teaching them to take care of the equipment. If rods get left laying
around or broken through carelessness, it'd be good to know whose
responsibility it was.

On Tue, 06 Nov 2007 07:57:41 -0800, rb608
wrote:

On Nov 6, 10:01 am, Ken Fortenberry
wrote:
Are you sure you need to personalize them ? I mean if
they're all identical, why bother ? What's going to
happen to these rigs after the trip ?

Three good questions, actually. From the student side, I can see some
value in each student feeling connected or possessive of "their" rod
to the extent that ID would be worth the minor effort of labelling.

Are you trying to get Myron shot or run over with a tank or something?
These is commie pinkos we is dealin' with here, boy! These rods belong
to the collective, not the individual.

The most significant issue I can imagine is from Myron's side in
teaching them to take care of the equipment.

I'd offer that the most significant issue from Myron's side is that
Myron needs help in figuring out how to label rods and reels, but hey,
YMMV...

If rods get left laying around or broken through carelessness,
it'd be good to know whose responsibility it was.

If some kid showed up and tried that tired ol' "the dog ate my flyrod"
excuse...

Now this one might help...some folks, anyway,
R

On Nov 6, 11:57 pm, rb608 wrote:
On Nov 6, 10:01 am, Ken Fortenberry
wrote:

Are you sure you need to personalize them ? I mean if
they're all identical, why bother ? What's going to
happen to these rigs after the trip ?

Three good questions, actually. From the student side, I can see some
value in each student feeling connected or possessive of "their" rod
to the extent that ID would be worth the minor effort of labelling.
The most significant issue I can imagine is from Myron's side in
teaching them to take care of the equipment. If rods get left laying
around or broken through carelessness, it'd be good to know whose
responsibility it was.

The rods WILL belong to each kid; the price of their trip included me
purchasing beginner rods for each of them. They will need a way to
differentiate their rods specifically because there will be some kids
who are going to take care of their equipment, and others who will
probably learn a few lessons about leaving gear in the sand, stepping
on tips, etc. The kids will want to be able to distinguish their gear
from everyone elses. I have never had to 'label' 18 identical rods
before, so I don't know if there is some special paint, etc, that will
write on the shaft and not come off, or if it is unadvisable to write
on the cork, etc.

Even if the school were to retain ownership, its never a good idea
with a group of teens to leave any sort of equipment open for 'group
use', as the few who are less responsible tend to feel less
accountable and wear out all the gear. There's a reason most schools
sign out textbooks instead of having a free-for-all.

--riverman

On 7 Nov, 07:14, riverman wrote:
On Nov 6, 11:57 pm, rb608 wrote:

On Nov 6, 10:01 am, Ken Fortenberry
wrote:

Are you sure you need to personalize them ? I mean if
they're all identical, why bother ? What's going to
happen to these rigs after the trip ?

Three good questions, actually. From the student side, I can see some
value in each student feeling connected or possessive of "their" rod
to the extent that ID would be worth the minor effort of labelling.
The most significant issue I can imagine is from Myron's side in
teaching them to take care of the equipment. If rods get left laying
around or broken through carelessness, it'd be good to know whose
responsibility it was.

The rods WILL belong to each kid; the price of their trip included me
purchasing beginner rods for each of them. They will need a way to
differentiate their rods specifically because there will be some kids
who are going to take care of their equipment, and others who will
probably learn a few lessons about leaving gear in the sand, stepping
on tips, etc. The kids will want to be able to distinguish their gear
from everyone elses. I have never had to 'label' 18 identical rods
before, so I don't know if there is some special paint, etc, that will
write on the shaft and not come off, or if it is unadvisable to write
on the cork, etc.

Even if the school were to retain ownership, its never a good idea
with a group of teens to leave any sort of equipment open for 'group
use', as the few who are less responsible tend to feel less
accountable and wear out all the gear. There's a reason most schools
sign out textbooks instead of having a free-for-all.

--riverman

Writing on the cork will usually wear off very quickly, and deep
scoring the cork is not a good idea as it will cause excessive wear on
the ridges of the scoring.

If the rods have butt caps, one could engrave names or numbers on
them.

The pilot pens mentioned work very well indeed., and are the easiest
and cheapest solution. When completely dry, just brush some nail
varnish over the names.

You might also consider sewing name tags to the rod bags, or putting
labels on rod tubes, as this is likely to prove more of a problem when
dispensing kit, than any markings on the rods themselves.

It would interest me to know what rods you have decided on?

TL
MC

On Nov 7, 2:46 pm, Mike wrote:

If the rods have butt caps, one could engrave names or numbers on
them.


That's a good idea. They do have metal butt caps, and I have an
engraver. It won't be as pretty as their name on the shaft, but it
will be easier.

It would interest me to know what rods you have decided on?


I got a good discount from LL Beans; for beginners I think they have
some good balanced packages. I am getting the Quest II 9' 5wt 4pc
package that comes with a 5/6 wt LA reel, stocked with leader, backing
and Streamlight line (its beginner line, slightly overweighted).
Bean's is giving me a 20% discount, which offsets the 14% shipping,
plus some.

Beans makes the 4pc rod in 9' lengths only. They do make the 2pc rod
in 8'6" lengths, but since any fly fishing out of HK will involve a
commerical airline, I think a travel rod is a better investment. I
also think an 8'6" rod is a bit short for good casting, and you
sacrifice on reach when nymphing, so I don't mind that the shorter
option isn't available.

--M

"riverman" wrote in message
ups.com...
Because of logistics, I will be buying 18 identical sets of fishing
gear for the kids' trip. That means the same make/model rod, reel and
color/type of line.

The question is: how can I have the kids personalize their rod and/or
reel so that they can tell it apart from the others? I'm thinking of
silly little ways like wrapping different colored thread around the
shaft, or taping their name under the reel foot, but maybe someone has
a better idea?

--riverman


I would use the Avery 4" x 1" labels. They come in white and colors.
Then use a sharpie so they can write their names on the labels. I would
wrap these labels around the cork 1/4" from the bottom, then put a clear
packaging tape over the labels to seal the moister out.
The fly-rods are now identified, and when you're done, remove the labels.
-tom

On Tue, 6 Nov 2007 07:25:02 -0800, "Tom Nakashima"
wrote:


"riverman" wrote in message
oups.com...
Because of logistics, I will be buying 18 identical sets of fishing
gear for the kids' trip. That means the same make/model rod, reel and
color/type of line.

The question is: how can I have the kids personalize their rod and/or
reel so that they can tell it apart from the others? I'm thinking of
silly little ways like wrapping different colored thread around the
shaft, or taping their name under the reel foot, but maybe someone has
a better idea?

--riverman


I would use the Avery 4" x 1" labels. They come in white and colors.

GOOD LORD, MAN! DON'T LEAVE US HANGING! WHICH COLOR(S) WOULD YOU
USE?!?!

Then use a sharpie so they can write their names on the labels.

OH, GOD! SUPPOSE HE DOESN'T HAVE A SHARPIE?! WILL ANOTHER BRAND OF
MARKER WORK OR WILL THE WHOLE SYSTEM FALL APART?!

I would wrap these labels around the cork 1/4" from the bottom,

OH NO! SUPPOSE HE DOESN'T HAVE A RULER AND HAS TO SWAG THE 1/4"...
CRAP!!!...HE'S IN HONG KONG!! QUICK, SOMEONE, ANYONE - WHAT'S THAT IN
MILLIMETERS OR CENTIMETERS OR LITRES OR WHATEVER THAT METRIC **** IS
CALLED...IT'S AN EMERGENCY!!!

then put a clear packaging tape over the labels to seal the moister out.

WHAT BRAND?! WHAT BRAND?!

The fly-rods are now identified, and when you're done, remove the labels.

Um..."remove"...HOLY ****!!!

NOW I _KNOW_ THIS CAN'T POSSIBLY HELP,
R

-tom

On Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:31:07 -0800, riverman
wrote:

Because of logistics, I will be buying 18 identical sets of fishing
gear for the kids' trip. That means the same make/model rod, reel and
color/type of line.

The question is: how can I have the kids personalize their rod and/or
reel so that they can tell it apart from the others? I'm thinking of
silly little ways like wrapping different colored thread around the
shaft, or taping their name under the reel foot, but maybe someone has
a better idea?

--riverman

Maybe RFIDs and see if Breitling has any spare Emergency transmitters
that could be recrystaled to a special school frequency. Then, just so
they don't pull any switcheroo ****, have them microdotted before you
pass them out. Just make sure you store the codes to who has what in a
Pelican case and put that in an at least a Class 5 safe (and perhaps
Class 6)...

Hmmm...Ah...

"God, this kids (Ed. note - you misspelled "teacher," too...) are
CLUELESS! Someone really ought to teach them somethin...d'Oh!"

....or here's an idea (yeah, yeah, I know, it's silly...) - maybe you
could just wrap different colored thread around each rod and put their
name under the reel foot...

HTH,
R