Constructing a rod from a kit or from selected components produces tackle that is made-to-order without the custom-made price. Although rod building requires steady hands and a good deal of patience, anyone who can tie on a lure and then fish for hours when nothing is biting has both qualities.
L.A. Garcia's Book About Fishing Rod Construction
Approaching rod building for the first time can be daunting. However, when equipped with information about the process, it becomes less intimidating. Handcrafting a Graphite Fly Rod, by L.A. Garcia, (Frank Amato Publications, 1994), is an excellent source of information. Photographs in the book are clear and show exactly how each step of construction should look. Garcia’s book takes the reader all the way from selecting the blank to finishing the wraps, with every step meticulously described. The process is much the same for building casting rods and spinning rods, so this book is applicable for building those as well.
Rod Building Kits
Kits are available that include pre-selected components for rods of a specific length, weight, and action. Cabela’s offers a wide variety of such kits. Hook & Hackle allows the customer even greater customization. Kits arrive with rod blank, handle components, line guides, hook keeper, wrapping thread, graphite cylinders, glue, finish, and instructions.
Tools for Building Fishing Rods
The do-it-yourself rod builder will need a few tools that are not included in the kits: a round file 10” X ¼” in diameter, a flat wood file, a flat metal file, fine sandpaper, a single edge razor blade, masking tape, ruler, small scissors such as those used for fly tying, and thin braided fishing line or monofilament. A rod winder makes wrapping the guides easier, but good results can be obtained without one. A rod dryer is also useful for keeping the finish evenly distributed during the drying process, but, again, good results can be achieved without one.
Follow Directions Patiently
Every rod has a spine. The rod builder can find the spine by placing the butt end of the blank on a smooth surface, then applying firm pressure to the rod while rotating it slowly. The rod will “jump”, revealing a high side and a low side. Casting rods should have the guides on the low side, while fly rods and spinning rods should have them on the high side. The filing and fitting of cork handles should not be rushed, as the cork can split, and if too much is filed away the handle and reel seat may always slip or squeak during casting.
Once the handle is in place, the rod tip is attached. Line guides must be aligned with the rod tip by sighting down the rod. Accurate placement of guides will ensure smooth casting. The guides are attached with the winding thread. Without a rod winder, this step will take some time in order to attain a smooth, secure, even wrap. With a little experimentation, the rod builder will find the winding technique that gives best results. The final step is applying the finish. Without a rod dryer one must complete this step on a day when it is possible to rotate the rod 90 degrees every fifteen minutes until the finish sets up.
Fishing Proudly With the Custom-Made Fishing Rod
Patience and diligence will pay off. The angler will enjoy the day when that first shining fish is pulled from the water with a self-made, custom fishing rod.
