Bamboo Fly Rod Project

[EB Newfarm]

Went with red silk. It will be more subdued after the varnish. I tried a very thin black accent, but I doubt it will be visible after the varnish. Messing around with the spiral accent. not sure if I will keep it. This will be a completed rod very soon!

 

[ackvil]

Nice work. I like the guides you selected.

 

[EB Newfarm]

First coat of varnish on the thread wraps. This is a better representation of the color of the thread.

 

[Rudy Vey]

any update??

 

[Merle]

any update??

@EB Newfarm
heh, like, I'm hoping the next, it's attached to a nice fishie picture (premeal).
Rudy's right though, with the mastery of the wood fiber it's easy to take the mind off all the high-value finishing work that adds pure class to the spool and mounted line, tippet, fly.

 

[EB Newfarm]

I think it may be a while before I can take it out for a test cast. Still putting more varnish on the wraps of #1 and sanding the glue from #2. I tried to blue the ferrules, but it did not turn out as I had hoped and will probably redo it. I will try to get some pics for the weekend.

 

[EB Newfarm]

I have been varnishing the wraps with spar and the effect is not much different day by day. I have been practicing the signing method with India ink and a fine nib. On the second rod, I am gluing the ferrules, here is a cross section of a tip.

 

[shoelessjoe]

@EB Newfarm ... looks fantastic! Wonderful concentration of power fibers, too!

 

[EB Newfarm]

Thanks! The second set really turned out straight and true- different culm, different plane and methods and the binding system was really fine tuned.

 

[EB Newfarm]

It is finished! It was a long journey and it certainly had its ups and downs! There are a lot of mistakes, and I can see all of the things I could have done better. This one is # 0121. Rod # 2, (0221- 02 for rod#2 and 21 for the year it was made)will be better, but this will always be the first one. The round dot after the serial number indicates a tip, the other tip has two dots. Some people like to alternate the use of the tips. In a month or so I hope to put the last photo into this post, the first fish that I catch with this rod.

 

[eightysixCJ]

Beautiful! Congratulations! Where to fish it first?

Tom

 

[EB Newfarm]

Oh yeah, I found a St. George to put on it, I think it dresses up the rod a bit! The first trip will be to the Namekagon or Bois Brule in northern WI.

 

[shoelessjoe]

It is finished! It was a long journey and it certainly had its ups and downs! There are a lot of mistakes, and I can see all of the things I could have done better.View attachment 1245110

Job well done ... the only mistake I noticed was that you were standing around taking pictures when you should have been out on the water.
Fine looking rod, Hardy reel & sig’ wrap, those open-spirals & all!

You may find these interesting:

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Sustainable Driftless | The film Decoding the Driftless

Inspiring resource conservation, vibrant communities & sustainable growth in the Driftless Region. Creators of the documentary film, Decoding the Driftless.

www.sustainabledriftless.org

 

[ackvil]

Great job. Now catch some fish.

 

[Doc4]

In a month or so I hope to put the last photo into this post, the first fish that I catch with this rod.

Haha ... just kidding.

Looks great and yes, we ARE looking forward to seeing the silver-sided results sooner or later!

 

[Rudy Vey]

Superb job!!

 

[EB Newfarm]

At last, I had enough time to take the rod out and fish it. Caught the first fish after about 5 casts on a little blue wing olive dry. Very pleased. I was thrilled to feel the rod bend a little and the casting was as I had hoped. None of the fish were huge, but they were pretty and enthusiastic! For the next few days, I brought a lot of fish just like it to hand and admired them and let them go.

 

[ackvil]

Congrats.

 

[Merle]

< /Snoopy Dance!
(Garfield's making eyes at those fishies.)

 

[Climb14er]

Maybe I missed it... Length? Weight? Looks very good! Nice, patient work!