Wrapping small detail in rod wraps/A new project!

[Hollis]

I'm about to build a GLoomis 6'6" 3wt. I really liked what MMarkey did with his that included the small gold thread wrapped into his wraps. Any tips on how to do this? I did 2 colors on my first rod but it wasn't laid in with the detail used on MMarkey's.

I'm all for some tips on anything that I could try that may give it a real custom touch. I'm using titaniam coated single foot eyes with a matching ti reel seat. I didn't like the Birdseye maple and will be getting a darker insert. This will be my 3rd rod and I want to do it up right.

I also liked the shorter handle and fully intend on copying what you did. I'd sure like to do something with wood but I'm not about to go down that dark ally yet. I'm still sane and want to keep it that way. (I can't even imagine dealing with boo!)

[fishnpreacher]

Hey Hollis, I see you are going to get that short rod fix taken care of, I know you won't regret it. If I get the chance, I'll meet you at Smiths again and show you my newest "toy", a 5'6" bamboo that Danny (guthooked) built a wooden handle for, wrapped with rattan and a red thread down in the grooves of the rattan. She's a sweet little thing ;) with a 4wt DT. Danny, I really like the grip on this. You need to try it with the DT line, it made a lot of difference in the way it loads.

[Hollis]

Wow! Sounds like a great rod. I'd like to see those red threds laid into the rod. Pretty interesting.

Watching you use that short rod the day we fished has stayed with me. I actually built my dad a 2wt 6'6" over Christmas. It casts well but I experimented with color preserveative and made some splotches in the wraps. I used orange and blue (Carson Newman Coll colors) and didn't want the orange to get too dark. Needless to say, I won't be using color preserve any time soon.

I'll holler next time I can get up that way to fish. I have upcoming freshmen gearing up for spring practice at the end of the month so weekends are getting thin on time for a little while. Never know when I'll get to take off and fish. It's usually pretty spur of the moment right now. Got to Dukes for about 2 hours last Sunday afternoon.........can't wait to do that again!

[mmarkey]

Hollis

Glad you liked my rod. The spiral wrap is not to difficult i don't think i'm the first to do it but no-one showed me I jsut worked it out one day. I'll try to describe it.

First, I start the wrap normally, for me that is right to left and I wrap about 5 turns. Then I introduce the metallic thread by placing the tag end under the last wrap (with the tag to the left so the main color goes over it and it will be covered) of the main color. The pressure from the other thread should be enough to get it started. You may have to hold the tag end of the metallic thread till you complete one wrap, just to keep it from slipping.

In sequence the metallic thread is between the wraps of the main thread. Which for me winding to the left puts it on the right side of the main thread. Then just wrap these two threads as one thread keeping the metallic thread on the right (for me) till you complete the number of wraps you want.

To finish with the metallic thread just swing it to the left (for me) and wrap over it 2 or 3 times to lock it in place. Check that it looks tight and squeeze it over with your thumb nail or a burnisher to make it tight. If there is any slack in it pull the tag end in the direction of the wrap to tighten it slightly. When you like the look then trim both tag ends of the metallic thread.

Finish the wrap with the regular color and whip finish and your done.

I hope this is not to dificult to follow. If you have any questions you can P-mail me. I'll be glad to help.

:)

[Robert Hicks]

Hollis,
Dealing with boo isn't such a bad thing....as long as your wife thinks..."Well....it's pretty..." and never asks how much it cost ;)

[GonetoSeed]

I use mmarkey's technique for spiral inlays with alternating single bands. You can use a similiar technique for inlays with multiple bands, including mulitple colors http://www.southern-angling.com/SEP06_58.jpe Lock the inlay thread in the wrap as mmarkey describes. I start it on the bottom to hide where it comes into the mainwrap. I use a small piece of masking tape to hold the inlay thread(s) to the right and out of the way while wrapping the main wrap. When I get to where I want to start the inlay, I push the main wrap thread to the right just a little to open a small gap. I take the inlay thread from under the tape and wrap around the blank making sure to come over the mainwrap thread. I make the number of turns that I want (can't do more than about 3 or the gap opens too much, at least for me). On the last turn when I get back to the starting point on the bottom, I bring the inlay thread under the mainwrap thread, stretch it straight to the right and put it back under the tape. Then start wrapping the main thread again. It will lock the inlay thread after 1 turn. Holds better after 2 or three. This is a lot easier to do and show than write.

Other personalizations you might consider are:
- Feather inlays. Really not hard if you keep simple. A classic look that is easy is to inlay Jungle **** Eyes. In the Just Completed thread below, is a description of how I inlay feathers
- Size 32 Gold hook inlays
- Using the mmarkey's spiral technique for a small butt wrap http://www.southern-angling.com/cattaloochie_butt.jpg
- Ferrule alignment "dots". Small Jungle **** eyes work and are great.
- Small wraps on butt for a ruler to measure fish
- Weaving you initials in the butt wrap. Clemmon's Advanced Rod Building book has instructions and left-lists for letters. Pretty easy to do.
Clemmon's book also has instructions for all sorts of butt wraps. Even though they are most often seen on casting/spinning rods, there's nothing that says they can't be used on fly rods http://www.southern-angling.com/St_Martin_close_butt.jpg http://www.southern-angling.com/St_Martin_handle_03_16.jpg

And, perhaps the most radical, would be to recolor the blank to some favorite color.

[GonetoSeed]

Hollis - in my other post I forgot to mention "marbilizing". Probably Fruedian and not wanting to be chastised by the fly rod police :) JK. It is over-the-top for some. But, it is easy to do and very unique. Basically you mix up multiple batches of colored epoxy finish using paint pigments (TAP pigments or Testors that has settled and you have poured off the solvents) in the colors you want. You lay down the foundation coat, let it get a little tacky (the dryness, not the design :) ) and then swirl the other colors in using very small dabs on a tooth pick. Here is an example on a rod I built for my teenage daughter - which should explain the color combinations. http://www.fishingphotos.net/photopost/data/500/109img_0880-med.jpg

btw, the thead I used is Sulky metallic from a Hanncock sewing center. An almost limitless number of choices. The nylon works too, just don't use the rayon. WARNING; Sulky and Maderia metallic and nylon sewing thread works. Almost all other sewing thead do not. They are too weak, fray and worst, they have a silicone coating that plays havoc with the finish - fish eyes.

For those who prefer a more stealthy look, here is a camo marble effect from Randy Putter a builder who uses marbling a lot:
http://www.fishingphotos.net/photopost/data/510/6131_Camo_Marble-med.jpg