Questions about Rod Building

"rw" wrote in message
m...
Don46 wrote:

I was thinking that a group devoted to flyfishing might have a calming
effect on all its members! Why all the vitriol?

Wolfgang's just one of our resident jerk offs. Ignore him.

And where exactly does that leave you? In a state of perpetual ignorance, I
would imagine.

Op

"rw" wrote in message
m...
Don46 wrote:

I was thinking that a group devoted to flyfishing might have a calming
effect on all its members! Why all the vitriol?

Wolfgang's just one of our resident jerk offs. Ignore him.

Yeah. Do like stevie says. Do like stevie does.

Wolfgang
the boy just WILL NOT learn.

"Don46" wrote in message
oups.com...

I was thinking that a group devoted to flyfishing might have a calming
effect on all its members!

A sentiment we encounter with some frequency here. Someday it might be
interesting to explore the origins of this particular strange notion. In
the meantime, for a broader view, please allow me to refer you to "Why
People Believe Weird Things: Pseudoscience, Superstition, and Other
Confusions of Our Time," by Michael Shermer. A limited view of excerpts
from the book is available from Google Books he

http://tinyurl.com/2ujjwr

For an earlier (but no less informative and valuable) exploration on similar
themes, one need look no further than Charles MacKay's immortal classic,
"Memoirs of Popular Delusions" (published in three volumes and sometimes
listed as "Memoirs of Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds," or
"Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds." Frankly, I've never managed
to muster enough interest in the history of its publication to try to sort
it all out.), available in plain text version at Project Gutenberg. All
three volumes can be accessed he

http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/authors/m

by scrolling down the page to MacKay's name.

Why all the vitriol?

That wasn't vitriol. That was just me playing with my dicklet.

Wolfgang

"Wolfgang" wrote in message
...

"Don46" wrote in message
oups.com...

I was thinking that a group devoted to flyfishing might have a calming
effect on all its members!

A sentiment we encounter with some frequency here. Someday it might be
interesting to explore the origins of this particular strange notion...

On the other hand...

"There is certainly something in angling that tends to produce a gentleness
of spirit, and a pure sincerity of mind."-Washington Irving.

Wolfgang
from roff's equivocation desk.

"Don46" wrote in message
oups.com...
I'm thinking I might treat myself to a new rod this winter and am
considering building my own. I did this 30+ years ago and still have a
very servicable rod built with a Phillips (are they still in
business?) rod blank. I am considering a 4 piece 5wt 9ft Sage Z-Axis,
though I am open to persuasion on that matter. The cost of a kit at
Cabelas and other places is somewhere over $325 vs the cost of a
factory built rod, about $650. Cost is not really the object here.
I'm bit better fixed than I was 30 years ago! I think I would enjoy
the process and knowing I'm fishing with another rod I built
myself.
I'm asking for advice: is the final product going to look like the
factory made rod? Or is it likely to look home made? After all, my
experience is going to be very limited and there is not much room for
experimentation and improvement.
What do you recommend that I consider, besides the Z-Axis, in this
size rod?
What tips might you have for a beginner rod builder?
--Don


Don,
I think it's great that you're thinking taking up rod-building again after
30+ years, and where cost isn't the object. As far as the blank, I did
have the opportunity of casting the Sage Z-Axis in a 9' 5wt 4pc side by side
with Winston Boron IIx 9' 5wt 4pc at the San Jose Fly Shop. Jim, one of the
employees who is also a pretty darn good caster was also evaluating the
two fly-rods. We both thought the Winston was a much better casting rod.
If you can, I would cast the two rods and make your own judgment as
well as other 5wt's before selecting a blank.

As far if it's going to look like a factory or a home-made rod, you're the
only one who could answer that one. I've seen beautiful custom builds, and
some sorry looking ones too, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
It's good that fish don't critique craftsmanship, but instead the
presentation
skills of the angler.

Here is also a Rod Building Seminar link by Bob Widgren:
http://www.flyfisherman.com/rodbuilding/
good luck with your rediscovered hobby,
-tom

On Oct 3, 1:11 pm, Don46 wrote:
I'm thinking I might treat myself to a new rod this winter and am
considering building my own. I did this 30+ years ago and still have a
very servicable rod built with a Phillips (are they still in
business?) rod blank. I am considering a 4 piece 5wt 9ft Sage Z-Axis,
though I am open to persuasion on that matter. The cost of a kit at
Cabelas and other places is somewhere over $325 vs the cost of a
factory built rod, about $650. Cost is not really the object here.
I'm bit better fixed than I was 30 years ago! I think I would enjoy
the process and knowing I'm fishing with another rod I built
myself.
I'm asking for advice: is the final product going to look like the
factory made rod? Or is it likely to look home made? After all, my
experience is going to be very limited and there is not much room for
experimentation and improvement.

What do you recommend that I consider, besides the Z-Axis, in this
size rod?
What tips might you have for a beginner rod builder?

--Don

On of the things that distinguishes poor DIY rods are big blobs of
epoxy on the winding thread. My advise: put something ( I have used
Mylar tape but I would search for something better on a $350 blank)
under the guides and threads so the varnish, epoxy or whatever you use
won't stick to the blank. Don't use to much of it and get or make a
good mechanish to turn it until the stuff dries. You don't want
blobby windings on a $350 blank. Blobby guides may not affect
performance but you don't want it looking like a $29.95 korean POS.

"Don46" wrote in message
oups.com...

I'm thinking I might treat myself to a new rod this winter and am
considering building my own. . . . is the final product going to look
like the
factory made rod? Or is it likely to look home made?

Flash is the key word.
Flash_1 is the overall shininess of the factory-made rod,
usually done by immersion in shiny varnish. This adds
nothing to the rod's performance or protection, except that
it makes the windings last longer, perhaps for ever. So far
as the factory-made rod reflects light, it is likely to spook
skittish fish.
Flash_2 is the selection of coloured windings or figured
woods for cosmetic affect. A rod decorated to your taste
can add to pleasure and confidence on the water, so long
as its Flash_1 is also acceptable.

The most expensive rods are called "hand-made" as
distinct from "factory-made." Some makers deliberately
avoid Flash_1 by using no varnish or matt varnish, some
make an aesthetic virtue of their plainness and sober colours.
--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)