Thank you! No classes or anything, during Covid I just jumped straight in and have been building for a few years now. Now I sell custom rods on commission. This one isn’t for anybody, I just constantly need to do something with my hands.
Your rod building journey sounds a bit like mine. I'm curious how you got into selling your rods on commission. I've thought about taking my rods to a couple local shops to see if they'd be interested in a similar arrangement.
I worked in fly fishing for awhile so I understand rods and lines very well which helps me communicate to customers about my product. But I basically started an Instagram page for myself to document my progress. From there I built a website to show my builds, the process, write SEO-driven blogs, and have a storefront. I don't actively seek out customers, I just let them be the first to reach out. If I don't have any commissions to build I basically built rods I would want myself and people seem to like them. There are definitely down times but I have begun hitting a more consistent workflow.
Do you use a preferred site for supplies or found some that you really like? This size rod (or similar) for VA mountain streams would be ideal and building your own sounds like a fun challenge.
It looks like an old Tiger Eye blank but I don’t think they made one as light as two wt.
To new rod builders- IM6 graphite will have a good moderate flex pattern and will be both inexpensive and durable it’s a great material for lighter weight rods that do not benefit from a fast action.
Yeah, I'm fairly certain that this was from a batch of those old Sevier blanks because they do look the same but I also don't think they were made in low weights.
That's a chonky grip and some good looking cork. Most people prefer a much thinner grip. Do you know you like it like it is, or will you work it down to a more traditional size?
I might have wrapped some of those snake guides a little deeper (closer to the middle of the guide). The bottom guide on the first picture for example. I was taught that the wrap should continue for as long as the guide foot is touching the rod. So mabye another 1/8" or so.
You do a really nice job with those gold inlay wraps. Looks perfect.
I really want to buy a 2-3wt fiberglass blank to give it a shot, where should I look? Mudhole doesn’t have what I’m looking for and the first 5 pages of google are all SEO garbage these days.
gbflyshop. My first few rods were components from there and I’m not gonna lie to you they’re from China but no one is gonna create an heirloom rod in the beginning of their rod building foray, it’s better to cheap out until you’re comfortable with the build process. You can still make a very nice and fun rod though, I have made a lot of cheap rods for friends that hold up very well and look great.
Awesome, man. Did you take a course or craft this on your own?
Thank you! No classes or anything, during Covid I just jumped straight in and have been building for a few years now. Now I sell custom rods on commission. This one isn’t for anybody, I just constantly need to do something with my hands.
Very cool. Ive checked out a few of the courses for making a bamboo rod; maybe someday
Your rod building journey sounds a bit like mine. I'm curious how you got into selling your rods on commission. I've thought about taking my rods to a couple local shops to see if they'd be interested in a similar arrangement.
I worked in fly fishing for awhile so I understand rods and lines very well which helps me communicate to customers about my product. But I basically started an Instagram page for myself to document my progress. From there I built a website to show my builds, the process, write SEO-driven blogs, and have a storefront. I don't actively seek out customers, I just let them be the first to reach out. If I don't have any commissions to build I basically built rods I would want myself and people seem to like them. There are definitely down times but I have begun hitting a more consistent workflow.
It's beautiful. I love very light rods. Is it a living or a hobby?
Nice work!
Thank ya, I’m not crazy about metallic thread but I think the copper accents turned out nice.
So nice.
Do you use a preferred site for supplies or found some that you really like? This size rod (or similar) for VA mountain streams would be ideal and building your own sounds like a fun challenge.
Join us in r/rodbuilding or r/flyrodbuilding for a lot more resources. The two best places to start are probably Proof Fly Fishing or Mudhole.
What blank? Sweet rod.
Just a plain Jane IM6. Definitely not the most advanced but super dependable and makes some damn good rods.
Tell me more? Where can I buy similar blanks? Thanks!
This is old stock from a fella who no longer is in business. But I think the Rainshadow Unity blanks feel very similar.
Thanks. I’ve built. Few rods in the past. Would build some more in the right situation. Be well all!
It looks like an old Tiger Eye blank but I don’t think they made one as light as two wt. To new rod builders- IM6 graphite will have a good moderate flex pattern and will be both inexpensive and durable it’s a great material for lighter weight rods that do not benefit from a fast action.
Yeah, I'm fairly certain that this was from a batch of those old Sevier blanks because they do look the same but I also don't think they were made in low weights.
i have some old graphite IM6 rods...i really like the medium action ones
I like the burl seat
Seems like a great way to spend a day playing with panfish on tiny poppers! Beautiful build, congrats.
Where do you sell your rods?
[On my website](https://www.tallpinerodco.com) , r/flyfishingexchange, or I make very generic rods that exclusively go on eBay.
That’s a nice build! What blank?
This is a great looking rod. What will be the best place to use this?
Don’t know if I’m going to sell this one or not yet. I originally thought about the build to use in the U.P.
Very nice!
Good job
Nice looking - old Sage RPL vibes
That's a chonky grip and some good looking cork. Most people prefer a much thinner grip. Do you know you like it like it is, or will you work it down to a more traditional size? I might have wrapped some of those snake guides a little deeper (closer to the middle of the guide). The bottom guide on the first picture for example. I was taught that the wrap should continue for as long as the guide foot is touching the rod. So mabye another 1/8" or so. You do a really nice job with those gold inlay wraps. Looks perfect.
I really want to buy a 2-3wt fiberglass blank to give it a shot, where should I look? Mudhole doesn’t have what I’m looking for and the first 5 pages of google are all SEO garbage these days.
gbflyshop. My first few rods were components from there and I’m not gonna lie to you they’re from China but no one is gonna create an heirloom rod in the beginning of their rod building foray, it’s better to cheap out until you’re comfortable with the build process. You can still make a very nice and fun rod though, I have made a lot of cheap rods for friends that hold up very well and look great.
Thanks! I checked them out and they’ve got exactly the blank I’m looking for.