skiltonian custom 680-2

[skiltonian]

first rod of the winter, done...
not the best work - kind-of rushed it, but it'll work.
I used a marker pen, instead of doing trim wraps. definetely quicker - going to used model paint next time and use tape to get better - straighter edges. whole thing cost under $50. next is a 10' 5wt.

 

[wsender]

Looks nice! Wish I had the cohonaes to do a rod. I've been thinking about it for awhile, I'm just afraid I'll f-up royally.

 

[mute]

very cool

 

[SBecker]

Know a Gentleman that does custom rods for a business. He just recently invited me to learn the trade by building a rod under his watchful eye. Pretty excited, especially since I have been looking for a 4wt to purchase. What I hear from a couple of the board members on here the Dan Craft Five Rivers Blanks are the way to go. Can't wait and I hope my first rod looks half as good as yours Skiltonian.

 

[PACOFRANSICO]

Hey skilt' what blank did you build it on?

 

[gfen]

been waffling on this idea to save money.

i think that's been said about tying, too.

 

[jdaddy]

That's very nice Skil.

 

[CPR]

If your anywhere near the Hershey/Harrisburg area, I can teach you a very quick way to do those trim wraps with metallic thread. It's super easy and takes only a few extra seconds per wrap.

Shoot me a PM if your ever interested.

matt


Here is one with two strands of Gudebrod metallic

[/url][/img]

 

[Fishidiot]

Looks great to me.
Pretty much all my fly rods are ones I build and honestly I tend to be much sloppier, esp with the guide wrappings. For me, fly rods are mainly functional although I do enjoy the look of a custom real seat and small cork grip - the guide wrappings to me are just funtional. I tend to break fly rods and will re-cycle salveageable parts. My current 10WT reel seat is on its fourth rod. I also like singal foot guides in part due to the ease of attaching them but also due to the ease of cutting them off to re-use on another rod. All a matter of personal taste - a big part of the fun of building rods is you can go as fancy or as plain and functional as you want.

 

[bam]

Looks great, but I'm staying away from building. Not a matter of if I could, but I just don't need any more hobbies that occupy my time or precious space in my apartment. Not to mention, I've accumulated pretty much every rod/reel I need over the last 2 or 3 years.

 

[skiltonian]

Thanks for the kind remarks - but its horrible compared to CPRs work. WOW, now his stuff is professional (as it should be).

the blank is an Utmost Clearance blank - UTF806 8' 6wt closeout
blank was $13.


I know how to do trim wraps and do them like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMPSo-DupI4

But they are a pain in the arse, i got about half way done on them and then gave up. Main reason - wrong material (using fly tying materials). I think if I had metallic thread, it would have been easier.

I, too, want to get better at it, but kind-of like the non-professional look - you can tell it's definetly a non-factory built rod.
I'm going to play with paints and maybe use paint to cover the wraps and trim for a cleaner look. But it all adds time and $, so for beater rods like this, is it really worth it...I'm learning towards, yes, for practice and maybe get something thats different or unique.

 

[CPR]

skil

rodbuilding is a pay it forward type craft. Others taught me and I always enjoy teaching those new to the craft. There is nothing more rewarding than catching fish on a rod that you built with a fly that you tied.

please feel free to contact me any time.

matt

 

[Hooligan]

Nice job, Keith! Glad you went with those Utmost blanks. I was tempted to, but I already have two rods I need to do!

For any of you guys that are thinking of building one, go for it! It's NOT that difficult to churn out a nice piece of work (If I can do it, anyone can). The key is to take your time. There are plenty of teaching aids available online. I've learned a lot from the people on rodbuildingforum.com, a bunch of good guys with many professionals to more than willing to help out klutzes like me.

I'm at a point that any more fly rods that I need, I'll build them. I get the blank with the action I want and build it with the looks I want. It can be made as cheap (or expensive) as the amount you want to shell out. I went $$ nuts building a Dan Craft 9' 6 wt. then spent about $50 (total) on a Tiger Eye 7 1/2' 4 wt. Both good rods (BS- the Dan Craft is GREAT!) and less expensive than if I'd bought them off the rack. For all the $$ I put out for my fancy-a$$ed Dan Craft, it was still WAY cheaper than an XP or Z Axis with the equivalent action/performance.

John