Custom Fly Rod Build

[gander]

I didn't know Loomis made those blanks. I've never cast a Loomis that I didn't love. Have you cast one of these yet, or will this be your first one? I'm interested to hear how you describe the action..

Same, I had no idea. That's what I've used for all my builds. I need to get back to building, it's been nearly a year since I built myself a rod, I really do enjoy it but it can be frustrating at times. Sanding the grips is what typically has me wanting to pull my hair out. Keep it going

[Shane]

Same, I had no idea. That's what I've used for all my builds. I need to get back to building, it's been nearly a year since I built myself a rod, I really do enjoy it but it can be frustrating at times. Sanding the grips is what typically has me wanting to pull my hair out. Keep it going

I use one of these 4-in-1 rasps to shape my grips. It goes really fast. One side is flat, and the other side is curved. That makes it easy to shape both the concave and convex portions of the grip. I do all the rough shaping with the aggressive section of the rasp, then I go to the finer end of the rasp when it starts getting close. Once I get it just about the way I want it, then I switch to sandpaper to clean it up and smooth it out. Way easier than sandpaper the whole way.

Of course, buying an already shaped grip is even easier. But I always use cork rings to build my own grip. I like to make it a custom fit for my hand. I'll shape a slight indention for my index finger and also for my thumb. I like to leave a little bit of a palm swell too rather than making the whole grip uniformly shaped like the ones that are commercially made on a lathe.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/145481/4in1-Hand-Rasp.aspx

[AtTheWall]

Just like G.Loomis - here's MHX sales pitch, which also matches the G.Loomis Limited Lifetime warranty.

Back when MHX blanks hit the market, only a handful of years ago, some in the know shared the G.Loomis connection on StripersOnline.com. A bunch of the custom rod builders, on Custom Rod Builders Guild (www.rodguild.com), build around a mix of MHX blanks knowing full well, they are building on high end blanks, manufactured by G.Loomis.

The beans spilled back in 2007 or so, when the MHX series of blanks first hit the scene. A few folks in the know, shared the G.Loomis connection on www.stripersonline.com. StripersOnline.com is the East coast Custom rod builders hang-out...NERBs (North Eastern Rod Builders) with guys like Billy Vivona (NYC Rod Builder with a heavy nationwide following).

Here's the MHX connection in their words:

MHX blanks are not available as factory production rods, they are only available to custom rod builders. This exclusive access provides the custom rod builder with a lineup of blanks which are above and beyond what can be offered by mass production manufacturers. When using an MHX blank, custom rod builders can offer a truly custom rod without competition from a rod factory.

The MHX series incorporates innovative designs of both traditional and progressive actions. The multi modulus materials allow us to utilize the correct material in each portion of the blank. An advanced production process that is second to none creates a series of blanks unparalleled in today's market place. The MHX series are as much as 40% lighter than comparable standard graphite models and incredibly more sensitive.
These lightweight, yet powerful rod blanks provide the professional custom builder and hobbyist a dependable rod blank they can rely on for years to come. All blanks come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

I have built around 7 or 8 casting and spinning blanks, using the MHX High Modulus line exclusively. They are super responsive, extremely powerful and out of this world lightweight...most particularly if you opt to use Titanium guides and tips in the rod build. The only drawback, they are built under 60,000 - 70,000 pounds of pressure and you can't hit something hard in your cast, and expect the blank to not explode from the impact. It's a trade off between, ultra light weight and responsiveness using super high end resins and pressures to build these sticks versus, the retail commercial rod stuff on the shelves, that can take a bit more abuse but, ultra performance is the trade-off.

On a fish and casting and fishing normally, using them for what they are made for, they are super strong and responsive. But don't expect them to get slammed into the back of a pickup truck bed and or slam the T-Top on a center console without suffering damage from abuse. Kind of like a Ferrari.....you can run the **** out of it on a road course but, don't expect it to handle a pot hole filled dirt road without suffering some damage.

Most of your high-end graphite blanks on the market today, all fall into this category. Taking care of them is key.

[Shane]

I built a rod on a Loomis GL3 blank a few years ago. GREAT rod. But I broke it going down the Devil's River. Had it in the canoe next to me, and when I was going through a little bit of white water I leaned my thigh into the side of the boat and crushed the rod tip section. Some rods probably would have been fine, but that rod was really light and thin. Great rod. Just not incredibly tough.

Everything is a tradeoff. I look forward to hearing your description of the action of this rod when you get it finished and strung up. I need to build another 8wt and a 3 or 4wt too.

[AtTheWall]

I opted to add a bit of "bling" to the 3 guides on the south side.

Here's the butt end bling, on the first 3 guides there. I'll trim up the other 8 guides, on the top end with this same color dressing. The color trim is on the lower portion of the guide wrap so the single foot guides will match the dual foot guides below. I like the look.





Finished wrapping the top guides, upper half of the blank, and adding the tip guide. These single foot Titanium guides look so much better than snake guides and considering this rod is tuned to cover a mix of saltwater species, where the size can hit huge numbers in a moment, the extra strength and smoothness of guide ring performance will greatly help with line control and rod to power transition during a stout hook-up.

There will be times you are simply hanging on and holding the blank high, as line rips out at a tear. This is what this rod build is made for.






All guides have had a liberal dose of Flex Coat color preserver applied. The upper section decorative trim is next, to finish the thread work portion of this project, then we move onto thread finishing for final.

[Shane]

Those guides will shoot line like a guided missle during the cast as well. Nice!

[AtTheWall]

Those guides will shoot line like a guided missle during the cast as well. Nice!

YES SIR INDEED!

Thanks Shane!

[Shane]

Get the finish applied and cured so you can cast that sucker. Can't wait to hear the report.

[bassmatt72]

Cool follow along! Most excellent write up and photos!!!

[AtTheWall]

Finished wrapping the decorative bands on the upper guides this evening and dove right into sealing the threads with thread sealer.

Both ends - ready for thread sealer





My rod wrap finish of choice for this rod will be ThreadMaster. It's been a very good, yellow fading resistant product and it has excellent leveling and bubble control. I mix using small measured mixing cups, using a half and half formula as per the mixing instructions.

Using ThreadMaster, you simply slow stir easily and avoid agitating the resin which promotes bubbles. A 1 - 2 minute stir is all this stuff needs, in small 15 - 20 cc batches.



i rounded up my rod wrapper's 3rd base, which has the 15 rpm drying motor.







Coated and spinning at 15 rpm. I'll leave it on the drier for the night.





Tomorrow will be a visual check of all threads and coatings for consistency. If it passes the visual review, off to cast this new stick!


Thanks guys!

[hgiles]

Do you typically only do 1 coat of epoxy? I have been using low build and doing 2-3 coats. Just curious on your application. Mudhole gets expensive... just ordered supplies for 3 bass rods and dropped $500

[AtTheWall]

Do you typically only do 1 coat of epoxy? I have been using low build and doing 2-3 coats. Just curious on your application. Mudhole gets expensive... just ordered supplies for 3 bass rods and dropped $500

Well done! Here's how I justify my purchasing decisions.....price any of the high end rod blanks, in the fishing class you are wanting to purchase new. Your custom will be at that level or above, and it will be the only rod on the planet built specifically your way.

I had a Game Warden walk over to my boat in Conn Brown Harbor one afternoon.....all he talked about was my custom rods. I let him check them out, popped my cooler and basically turned his entire game check inspection into a fishing tackle conversation. I wouldn't have had that situation using factory sticks, and it's been a nice conversation piece to many public greetings through the years for me. Fishing with an AtTheWall tackle sponsorship LOL!

I will apply 2 coats to this rod. I checked it this morning, and I could probably go with one coat, but the additional coat will be super light, and provide one more layer of protection to the threads as well as guaranteeing I seal that area where the guide foot and thread meet.

On the surf and offshore sticks, they get 2 or 3 coats. Some of my Medium-Heavy and Heavy actioned inshore blanks get 2 - 3 coats as well. Anything with Base wraps, should have at least a couple of coats due to the soaking value of the dual layers of thread. Single small guide feet, as long as the finish is smooth and covers from the blank on up to the threads cleanly, you can probably go with one good coat. I spin the blank under a light and eyeball the guides closely, looking for any ripple or change in what needs to be a super smooth, and clear surface of wrap coatings.

The low build stuff needs multiple coats. This version of ThreadMaster is the regular build. I didn't have low build available and need to restock.

[hgiles]

Excellent. I know what you mean about having custom rods. It's something I enjoy doing and really is fun. Can be frustrating at times but that's okay. I have that same power wrapper (but American Tackle brand). Love it. One of the best investments I made when I started building rods. Going to start my new builds next week. Wife and kiddo are going to her parents for a few weeks so I figured I better order some blanks to build on

[Shane]

Looks great, Rob. This part - where you are just about finished but you still can't cast the rod yet....that's the slowest part.

[Shane]

Rob, do you know anything about Rainshadow blanks? I was reading up about the MHX rods, and I came across Rainshadow as well. They're owned by Batson Enterprises. They have a new one called Eternity 2 that is getting rave reviews.

Batson recently joined up with Gary Loomis to market his new Northfork Composites line of rod blanks too, by the way. He sold G. Loomis in 1995, and this is his first time back in the blank making business, apparently. Should be very interesting.

http://batsonenterprises.com/