I was looking through Cabela's online catalog tonight at their Rod kits. They actually sell kits for Loomis rods, St. Croix, their brand, and some others. And they sell Fly rod kits as well. And they have just the blanks. I'm actually thinking about building one of their steelhead rods. Not for steelheads but our striped friends. They look like good rods for throwing light swimmers. They have single foot AL Oxide guides which I would probably upgrade them to Fuji Hard-a-loys or SIC. I think it would be best to stay with single footed guides because steel head rods are rather whippy and I'm afraid if I put double footed guids on there the whippyness is going to make the flexcoat crack.

Anyways, I noticed there has been a lot of interest in rod building and I came across rod wrapper on their catalog for 100 bucks. It's just a V-notch style but it has felt in there to let the rod slide easier. Plus it has the turning motor, motor mount. The wrapper has tension guides and all on it. Let me see if I can get a link to it.

Cabela's Rod Wrapper (http://www.cabelas.com/texis/scripts/store/+/CatalogDisplay/displayPOD/CabFALL1998/CabFALL1998ACBLAA/IB507X)

I think that should do it. They have a bunch of wrappers but that one looks like the most bang for your buck.

I'm thinking of starting to make all my own stuff. Lures, Teasers, and Rods. The main teaser I think I'm going to stick with is the Deciever so I wouldn't need too many materials. That looks like a relatively easy fly to tie. Of course I would need a teaser that looks like an eel too.

The rod building would save me some coinage too. I wouldn't build them often, unless I got a customer or something. I have a few guys asking me to build them rods.

And then for lures, I plan on making a templet so my lures come out uniform. I really want to create a 1/2 or 5/8 oz metal lip. It's so hard to find a metal lipped swimmer under an oz. I think it would be cool if we all wrote in to Norm Abrams and asked if he would do a show on it. He's in the MA right? I think we should get some people to send in pictures of the craftsmanship they do and see what he can do. He's a pretty crafty guy. I'm sure he would decline because you can only do so much but it's worth a try.

Allright, enough yapping. The trip to the fly shop has got me all bugging to get out there lol.

My advice is save the $100, because that kit will only work well with smaller/lighter rods. Good luck with anything 7 foot and longer. The saying "you get what you pay for" applies and you aren't getting much for your money with that kit. If you plan on doing this for the balance of your fishing career, which most of us do and that means until your too old to open and close your hands; do it right the first time.

That $100 bucks would get you 2 of the Clemens rod supports (see previous thread & pic) and those puppies (plus a 3rd down the road) will make your job considerably easier. Do your self a favor and do some research on what the minimum essencials are and price them separately, not in some kit.

Tight lines.

Couple things:

As far as the rod goes, you'll be fine with single foot guides (spinning right?) and yes, stick with the Fuji guides. Which steelhead blank are you considering?

As far as rod building goes, it can be more economical in the short run if you build your own and keep things simple. You can actualy build rods without "rod wrappers" by using bent coat hangers but you should at least have the dryer. That makes a big difference on building your rods. As far as building rods for others, you might want a couple under your belt before you start making for others just to get things down. Even then I wouldn't recommend you charge them more than the materials. If after a while your quality is good and your rods are efficient, maybe you can make some money on the side. But there is not big dollars in building rods, plus you need to guarantee them... But for building your own rods, it is extremely satisfying to catch a nice fish on a rod that you built.

I've seen the v-notch wrappers and didn't care much for them, especially for building long rods over 8 feet in length. For near the price of that kit, you are in range for some larger, non-powered wrappers or you could build one yourself... I hope to have mine started this weekend and finished next weekend. I'll put up materials used and a how-to guide... Just something to consider.

As far as making plugs, there are several books out on that subject that you should check out (forgot the names but they were at my local Borders)..

I guess I might be inclined to get a saw and some wood and make my own v groove rod wrapper rather than pay $100. Although to some that may be a hassle and they might prefer to buy the kit.

I agree with John that you should do a few for yourself before attempting to make some for others. You can almost always find rod blank deals on the internet. Often you will see some deals at the shows. i don't mean $200 blanks for $150 since even $150 is a lot of money for a beginner to risk. You will often see blanks for $20 , thats the ones to practice on. I got a St Croix 7 foot light rod for $20 at the MSBA show last year. Nice rod. You'll need a dryer motor as John mentioned. There are several speeds for dryer motors. Some like very slow , some like about 18 RPM's. It all depends on what you are doing. Lots of people make home made dryers using rotissiery motors.

The only thing I can add to this thread is that I use a 9' Lami steelhead rod for schoolies with single foot SIC guides as you were mentioning Patrick. I just love that rod! I did battle with an albie at the Millstone outfow and it did the job. It also handled blues in the 10lb range quite admirably. You can cast small swimmers and metals all night or day. I matched it up with a Penn 710 with 14lb Fireline. Maybe a little overkill but it balances out nicely.

Which Lami steelhead rod is it Rich? I use the GSH108-2H as my schoolie rod. Had it for about 15 years now. Nice rod for casting very small stuff too. I've landed fish over twenty pounds on mine in the fall but mostly use it for spring schollies.

Hay Saltheart
We just got in a shipment of blanks.
and we are going to blow them out at the Mass Bass Show.
7' E-Glass in different actions try $11.00
9'Batson 1088 Graphite Blanks will be 48.
8' Batson 967 Graphite for $38
7' 70M Graphite for $24
We are selling them at the shop now at these prices and will have a limited # of blanks at the show at these prices.and YES they are First quality, NOT seconds
We will continue to carry these blanks but I want to get the word out about their quality.

ALL LEX LURES at ***$6.50*** each these lures have a value up to $12.

Come to think of it .
I may have to get another booth

Mike CC

I should have also put that I will have complete kits available for spinning and conventionals
Mike CC

Those are some good deals for the show Mike. $24 for any any graphite blank is outstanding. And if the 8 foot 967 is like the sabre 967 , thats a great rod. Thats the kinds of deals on blanks you need Patrick. You can get a few , make the rods for practice. I got to look at the Lex stuff at the show. Do they make a stubby needlefish type?

We have a few of the stubby needlefish in black.2oz

Hey Mike, did those guides/tip top come in yet? I might be down today or tomorrow to pick up my boat at Atlantic and would like to swing by if they are in.

Thanks and tight lines.

G S not sure which guides your refering to . if it is the high frame #4 they should be in today or tomorrow.
All others are in stock.

Saltheart
The blanks I mentioned above are identical to the Sabre Blanks but in flat black finish.
They come in all the same actions and #s
They are even made by the same company Cascade. They just offer me better discounts on volume.

Mike
CCT

Yeah those are the ones, I'll call then before I swing by, thanks.

Ooh, I might need to sneak an extra blank or four past Da Wife... I'll also need to see you before the show to make sure I get my tackle needs taken care of ;D

John,
Are the hours of the show published yet? I have a full schedule Saturday and Sunday morning. I plan on making it there Sunday afternoon if for nothing else but to wish. I guess I can always come home with "you'll never guess how much money I saved today..." Now a 967 blank for my 4 year old's first rod. If I buy it now I'll probably get it done by the time he is ready for it.

That's right Fishpart, always think ahead and plan things out . That is a good price for a blank, almost tempts me to build a schoolie rod sometime.

Got Stripers , Did the mechanic that did your work on the Suzuki happen to be named Paul? He is the Suzuki guru. Have fun this weekend,I'll be slavin'.

Saltheart,
That's the one! The first one I built broke about 5" from the tip while casting one night. I shipped it back and got a new blank WITH the old one returned! Built the new blank but still haven't done anything with the shorter version. It'd make a good rod for my son if I chop a bit off the butt.

Hay Saltheart
Your machine is in !!!

hey John...heres a thought...why dont you buy about six extra so you can build yourself a tee-pee style "dog House" !!!! I think I may do the same because in the next couple weeks (and strolling in at 3am the other night :O ) I may be needing my own soon!! Now I plan on rigging up a twenty X fifteen tarp with a liitle north east wind possible...which ones would you suggest to be the most durable??!? :)

Jenn,
Do you want durability factors for the blanks or for the tarps? Personally, having just bought a new house, I'm looking for more on the lines of an "#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&" deluxe doghouse; 12x16, windows, vinyl sided, shingled, windows, heated, wall power, loft, and wired for sound. Only aditions I might add are a porta-potti and certainly, CAT5 100BaseT data wiring to the internal high speed network of the main house. I am willing to forgo the vinyl siding depending on costs.... :P

Give him a "big hug" up north this weekend. We men tend to have a short memory when the right "hug" is given....

Oh Boy!!! I'll try to get down this weekend Mike.

:O

Maybe I'll run the network to the house over wireless equipment, Yeh - cool... ;D