Fiberglass rod build

[jskowron]

I finished my Lamiglas 6'6' 3wt build. I was pretty happy how it turned out, though I still have problems getting the tag ends of the thread cut and tucked perfectly. Oh well, the don't don't care! The specs are listed below (with prices for those who might be interested such things) Add in ~$14.00 for shipping, and you have a sweet little rod for about $100.00. (not including the price of the Spar , epoxy, or mineral spirits, thought you really don't use much at all). Though a hundred clams is still a lot of money, it's certainly cheaper than trying find and buy one already made up. Wraps are finished with 4 coats of Spar Urethane, first coat cut 50/50 with mineral spirits. Blank was from Angler's Workshop, components from J.Stockard. I added a new medalist 1492 just because it seemed to look right. I got to cast it in the yard today and it is nice, but you really have to pay attention because it is very light and difficult to feel it load. After a few casts, I figured it out and it can lay a small fly right where you want it (as long as where you want it is with 15 yards). BROOKIES BEWARE!!

Specs: Blank= Lamiglas Honey, 6'6" 3wt, 2 piece ($56.43)
Seat= J.Stockard A7- shiny gunsmoke with rosewood insert ($13.95)
Cork= J.Stockard Standard reverse half wells ($12.15)
Winding Check= Shiny gunsmoke aluminum ($1.65)
Guides= J.Stockard thin wire snake chrome guide set ($5.45)
Tip Top= J.Stockard standard chrome ($1.15)
Thread= Gudebrod 521 Nylon size D, Navy-066 (~$1.50)
Here's some pics- sorry I'm not much a photographer.

[bearsdenbill]

nice lookin stick! i've rebuilt an inherited 1940's south bend bamboo purchased with green stamps back in the day - but a lot of learning went on in the process....

not an easy task - building a rod.... nice job!

1 note - i took the rod to enfield ct - rec components - and they matched the brightware exactly - from memory - most incredible! highly recommend them.....

[ctroy36]

Nice job.

I built a glass rod from an Orvis kit back when they first came out and had a red Medalist for it. Which no longer works as the winding knob on the reel came off.

Mine is an 8-footer, which I actually used up until I bought my first grapite rod -- also an Orvis product. I still use the glass rod now and then. However, it's nowhere as nice as yours and is a more conventional size and weight.

My experience is that it feels more like bamboo but is a lot more rugged.

Good luck.

[jskowron]

Dan- I tested out the rod the other day on a little feeder stream just north of Chesterfield Gorge. No luck with the fish, but I was very happy with the rod. As soon as the water comes down we can go pick on some brookies! I hit the upper East Branch in Cummington today, but also no fish. The water was pretty high and fast. How the Westfield down by you? I imagine its pretty treacherous down there.

Jeff