New Year

Time to Start Updating This Blog

So it has been a while since I have updated. The Holidays are over and its time to get back at building rods again. I learned a lot over the last year about making rods for people. I'll just leave it at that. Anyway I am always trying to do My best and continue to progress. My rods from a year or two ago may not look like the rods that I am building now. My style has changed a little, and I am happy with the direction My rod building is going.

Last rod that was varnished in 2016

Here is the reel seat for a 7' 2/2 rod that has been varnished and is in the process of being rubbed down and finished. It is made from olive wood. The finish is Gorilla Glue. I will post photos of the rod itself soon.

This will be the style of reel seat that I use from here on out. I like the looks and I also enjoy the woodworking process that goes along with it. The slide band and recess are both turned from brass stock on the lathe and then blackened.

6'8" Three Weight

This is a rod that I just started. It will be heading out to California. As of right now the splices have been heat treated, straightened and glued up at this point. Here is photo of part of the process. Notice all the chopsticks piled up. Four sticks per strip for each of the two tips times Twelve (48) all together and Five sticks for each butt strip times 6 (30). Yup 78 splices!!! for a 2/2 rod.





Shipment of Flamed (Tiger) Maple

Got a nice box of Maple for reel seat blanks in the mail the other day. I think I will use a trans tint dye in an amber gold color on them before varnish.




Smallmouth Rod Grip

This is a prototype rod I built for Great Lakes Smallmouth Bass fishing. It is a step toward building bigger rods in the 7-8-9 range. I am now working on a saltwater taper for June Stripers in Cape Cod. I have spent too many years at the Cape, Fifteen or so without fishing bamboo this year will be different. I think this Lemke reel seat will work in a heavier version for a Nine weight with a little bit of a bigger fighting butt. I knew this rod would only be used for Smallmouth so I didn't get too carried away with the reel seat or fighting butt.

Thanks for looking, I will update on a regular basis now.

Best Regards,

Anthony