rod building

[BeeDub]

I just finished building my first rod and had a lot of fun with it. If I can pry it away from my daughter - I gave it to her for her birthday and she really likes it - I’ll bring it with me to the next gathering. I’d like some professional critique on it.

Many thanks to Kyle (Bird Dog) Burrell who provided the inspiration up at Unicoi, and to David Edens of Blue Ridge Rods who furnished the components and advice.

[J Byrd]

BeeDub,

Please do bring the rod to the next event. I just started thinking about building one, and would like to talk to someone about it. Thanks, J. Byrd.

[WDN FLY]

Isn't great to build your own rod!! I still remember the first flyrod I built.

CONGRATULATIONS on your first rod, If you are anything like me it's just your first.

[BeeDub]

J Byrd - Will do. It was a lot of fun and I'll be happy to share my "vast store of wisdom" with you. http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif It was worth doing.

WDN FLY - You're right. I'm already looking ahead to the next one. By the way, I'm not pretending I did a great job on it. I'm just saying it was a lot of fun and rewarding to make something like that. Now, if only I can convince my daughter to let me borrow it this weekend!

[DavidEdens]

BeeDub--I am glad you enjoyed building your rod. You must have not run into any problems, because you never called!!!
Rod building is very rewarding. Even though I have built many rods, I always enjoy crafting them. Every rod I build I learn something new. Keep at it. If I can ever help, don't hesitate to contact me.
David Edens, Blue Ridge Rods

[WDN FLY]

David, Who's blanks are you using? or do you roll your own?

[BeeDub]

David,

Regarding WDN FLY’s question, several people have asked me the same thing. What do I tell ‘em?

By the way, I fished it the past three days. I enjoyed it so much I never even took my "store bought" rod out of the tube. Again, I hasten to add that I’m not saying I turned out a masterpiece. I was simply on water where my six weight would have been too heavy. But I sure had fun with it. It’s light, it casts easily, and I like the feel of a trout on it. Plus, it was just really gratifying to use a rod I had assembled. Especially when I caught my first trout ever using that rod on a fly I had tied!