The first rod I wraped is special, its my fathers. I remember taking it home from the shop where I had it flex coated. It was pouring cats and dogs, I put it in our landscaping trailer for the ride home, I told my pops I had it blessed for him. My brother bought a penn 704Z to complete the combo. We gave it to him on Fathers day. He loves that rod(9')and uses it all the time.

One of the things I did to personalize it was put a tautog decal above the buttwrap, the other was, I got a hold of awsome lettering decals. I put his name in the english font print(metallic) ~Manny's~.....it looks great. Well, they stoped carrying those letters. A couple days ago "the specialist" sent me this site that specializes in decals. I checked it.... and I'm lookin forward to my first order in a day or two. I was on the phone this morning with the owner.....very helpful and can do most anything you like. Mike at M&Ds also carries decals. He showed me show striper decals that you just can't beat, they are simply awsome......so I know where to get fish decals;)

I like to have fun with my rods.......they are all unique and names and decals gives it that extra special touch.

http://www.decalconnection.com/

I know a lot of people are scared to try decorative thread work, but if you pay attention to the detail, especially with the setup and then each thread as it goes on the rod; in 5-10 hours first time out you will really have something special. http://www.ledgerunnerbaits.com/buttwrap1.jpg http://www.ledgerunnerbaits.com/buttwrap2.jpg http://www.ledgerunnerbaits.com/buttwrap3.jpg http://www.ledgerunnerbaits.com/buttwrap4.jpg

If anyone wants I have a 8-1/2x11 inch sheet with places for a sketch for the guide set up, the buttwrap, the pattern and starting sequence and then a spot to check off every pass of thread or threads(bands) as you go. Be happy to email it to anyone looking to get into the thread art.

Russ I'll fax it to you tomorrow, but here's a scanned copy of the form I made up. Record keeping in decorative butt wrap thread art is paramont and you must check off every required pass of thread(s), so that it comes out correctly. This form also gives one a means of duplicating a favorite rod for someone else. I've got a record of most of the rods I've built for myself and others, so I can duplicate the spacing, the guide wraps and the butt wrap layout and pattern.http://www.ledgerunnerbaits.com/layout.jpg If others want a clearer copy, pop me an email with your fax number and I'll be happy to fax you a copy.

Anyone know of a good way that you can print this stuff to some blank adhesive decal on your home color printer? That would be cool and it's something I'm very interested in.

I'm mostly worried about it lifting and curling once applied. Many of the square decals of done that. It hasn't happened with that very nice stiper one though... Hey Goose - that Striper look familiar to ya?

My lettering with a gold leaf marker is fair but there are some custom stuff that I'd like to do as well...

Thanks

John , if ya want ta cheat u can buy slip on butt wraps, tie off the ends and bingo .....d.. you do good work

I'm no expert at application but from what I understand decals are applied over the first coat of finish then a second coat over the decal.

Goose ...your right.

Decals can be aplied direct to a CLEAN GLOSS Blank, then 1 coat of cp to lock it in. then finish as needed.
If a Matt Finish blank 1 coat of finish then apply the decal then another coat of finish.
Rubb on Fish decals can be applied direct to any type of blank & finished.
I can not stress enough to CLEAN the Blanks. other wise the decal can lift after the finish appliedand give you unwanted results.