The $100 DIY Fly Fishing Rod

May 3, 2013 12:00 PM Text Size: A . A . A One of the joys of fly fishing is the crafting involved?and that isn't limited to tying flies. "People can't believe how easy it is to build a rod just the way you want it," says Russell Parks, owner of the Missoulian Angler Fly Shop in Missoula, Mont. "You want pink wraps? Titanium guides? A cork handle shaped to your hand? Knock yourself out." For under $100, you can buy a complete freshwater kit. It will come with directions?but first read these tips on the crucial steps. 1 ID the spine.
Graphite rod blanks have defined soft and stiff sides, and your first step is to identify them. Rest the tip of the blank on a hard surface and hold the butt end lightly with the tip of your finger. Press downward to bend the blank; the inside of the curve will be the soft side of the spine. That's where you'll place the guides for the fishing line.

2 Place reel seat.
The base of the handle will have a recess started for the reel-seat hood. Use a rotary tool to fine-tune the fit. Next, create two bushings on the blank by wrapping it with 1/2-inch tape. Test-fit the reel seat, and then apply waterproof two-part epoxy over the bushings and slide the seat into place. (It should line up with the spine.) Fill the gaps between the bushings with epoxy as you proceed.

3 Fit handle.
There is a rod channel inside the handle. Use a rat-tail file to ream it to the right size. "Check the fit after each few strokes of the file," Parks says. The handle should drop down easily until the last couple of inches and then slide snugly into place. Rough up the blank with 200-grit sandpaper before using epoxy to glue the handle in place.

4 Mark guide locations.
First use a fine-tooth metal file to taper the end of each guide foot to a near-knifelike edge, so that it lies close to the blank. Then use the spacing chart that comes with the kit and mark the guide locations with a grease pencil or tape; the spacing is critical for distributing the force of a fighting fish. Also mark the start and end points of the thread wrapping that you'll use to attach the guides.

5 Wrap guides.
To start a guide, wrap the thread over itself five or six times, working toward the guide foot. Cut off the tag end. As you rotate the rod, keep the thread at a slight angle so that the wraps lie tightly together. Here comes the tricky part: Stop wrapping when the thread is 1/8 inch from the end. Knot a loop of dental floss or fishing line, and place the loop over the existing wraps, extending past them. Finish the wrap on top of this loop. Then cut the thread and run the loose end through the loop. Pull the loop under the wraps, dragging the thread along. Now trim it flush.

6 Go fishing.
Follow the kit directions to mix and apply rod finish to the windings. Now go catch yourself some trout!

Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/outdoors/recreation/fishing/the-100-dollar-diy-fly-fishing-rod-15417572?src=rss

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