New exciting rod builds recently?

[Chinook Angler]

This is the rod building season for a few of us addicted to the craft. It may be cold outside and not much fishing lately, but at least we are thinking about fishing and building that next great fly rod for the upcoming season, or, maybe, for that long awaited tropical salt water trip. So, any new exciting projects in the works or something already finished? Please share your latest and greatest here. Meanwhile, I will take a few pics of my latest Gamma Beta build to add to this thread. Let's see what YOU have been working on...

 

[Chinook Angler]

A couple of recent builds

Rainshadow Immortal 13' 7wt. spey:

Rainshadow 9' 6" 5wt:

 

[Griswald]

Those are beautiful. Really, I have build 3 rods and NONE of them were even close to your level of expertise.

I would like to build a 6wt beach road for SRC, and recommendations on a nice fast, but not too fast blanks?
Thanks,
Griswald

 

[Buzzy]

A couple of recent builds

Rainshadow Immortal 13' 7wt. spey:

Rainshadow 9' 6" 5wt:

Incredible!

 

[Chinook Angler]

Those are beautiful. Really, I have build 3 rods and NONE of them were even close to your level of expertise.

I would like to build a 6wt beach road for SRC, and recommendations on a nice fast, but not too fast blanks?
Thanks,
Griswald

There are so many choices... I would probably go with one of the NFC or CTS blanks. They offer the full spectrum of fly rod blanks from moderate to extra fast.

 

[Griswald]

Thank you for the recommendation. I did not know that Gary started a new company!

 

[Chinook Angler]

Took a few photos of that latest salt water travel NFC Gamma Beta 8wt. build today. Tried to keep this build subtle and light. NFC carbon fiber grip, Alps triangle reel seat and RECoil titanium alloy guides.

 

[Adrian M]

fudge i'd love to get into building rods. no idea where to start. maybe buying a kit or something.

 

[Wetswinger]

fudge i'd love to get into building rods. no idea where to start. maybe buying a kit or something.

Check out Proof Flyfishing. They are a supplier. Their tutorial videos are all you need to get started. Very well produced and on a beginners level. No fancy equipment needed. They have quality supplies including kit builds. I use 2 6x6 dollar store boxes with notches cut in them for stands and a teacup for holding my thread, with a heavy book for tension on my whipping thread.

 

[Chinook Angler]

For the first timers an inexpensive kit is the the way to go. Many years ago I found a bass rod build kit in the Bass Pro bargain basement for like 90% off and the rest is history. Very addictive and really rewarding process.

 

[MoreQuestionsThanAnswers]

A couple of recent builds

Rainshadow Immortal 13' 7wt. spey:

Rainshadow 9' 6" 5wt:

Ok, I won’t be posting any pics after seeing this! Holy cow. Beautiful!

 

[Snakes]

Took a few photos of that latest salt water travel NFC Gamma Beta 8wt. build today. Tried to keep this build subtle and light. NFC carbon fiber grip, Alps triangle reel seat and RECoil titanium alloy guides.

How do you like those carbon fiber grips? I’ve never used them but the last time I built a rod, cork was my least favorite part.

 

[Chinook Angler]

How do you like those carbon fiber grips? I’ve never used them but the last time I built a rod, cork was my least favorite part.

Some people love CF grips, some people hate them. I use both CF and cork in my builds, but have a preference for cork actually. You get a bit of weight savings with the carbon fiber though.

 

[Chinook Angler]

Ok, I won’t be posting any pics after seeing this! Holy cow. Beautiful!

LOL, scaring people wasn't my intent. Those two rods were built for ladies, so they do feature some girly colors and flare to them, hope not too much. Personally, I much prefer natural colors and subdued builds where less is more. So please share what you are working on. Would love to see more pictures in this thread.

 

[JACKspASS]

Very nice quality, Chinook! This has inspired me to get back into it. One of the things that i remember as kind of a let down was the price of blanks and supplies, it seemed cheaper to just go out and buy it from factory.. Although, nothing beats fishing your own tie! What are prices for supplies like nowadays?

 

[Wetswinger]

This is the first rod I've ever built. Finished it two weeks ago. It's a No. Fork Composites LMX, 11ft, 7wt. Switch. After testing it, I replaced the strip quides for even larger ones to let the line past smoother. The first few guides are moved forward to allow for easier strips, as I hold the rod under my armpit and two hand strip. This rod was meant to be used for beach casting overhead. I'm very happy with. So much, I just ordered another NFC blank. This next one is a 7'6" 4wt. Iconoglass.

 

[Chinook Angler]

Very nice quality, Chinook! This has inspired me to get back into it. One of the things that i remember as kind of a let down was the price of blanks and supplies, it seemed cheaper to just go out and buy it from factory.. Although, nothing beats fishing your own tie! What are prices for supplies like nowadays?

Thank you! I figure it's less than $10 in supplies per build, so not really a significant factor. As for the blanks the best value right now are the North Fork Composites blanks made right here in Woodland, WA. They are amazing!

 

[Chinook Angler]

This is the first rod I've ever built. Finished it two weeks ago. It's a No. Fork Composites LMX, 11ft, 7wt. Switch. After testing it, I replaced the strip quides for even larger ones to let the line past smoother. The first few guides are moved forward to allow for easier strips, as I hold the rod under my armpit and two hand strip. This rod was meant to be used for beach casting overhead. I'm very happy with. So much, I just ordered another NFC blank. This next one is a 7'6" 4wt. Iconoglass.

Wow! Congratulations on your first! Looks sharp!!!

 

[dirty dog]

I want to try my hand building a rod, just don't know what yet, 3wt, 5wt.
Something to think about.

 

[Chinook Angler]

Finally decided to build a glass rod. This one is a NFC IconoGlass 8wt.