2nd Rod - SWS597 for Sturgeon

[dixiefisher]

I wasn't going to post anything about this rod...it being my second attempt...I felt like I have more to learn and try before I start even trying to put my work next to some of the work up here on ifish....but, given the story of this rod's first fishing trip....my fishing partner thought it would be a great read.

My hunting partner has decided to get back into fishing after a long absence from the sport....so, I thought I would suprise him with a custom rod to get going again....here were the specs....and a big thanks to the guys at Angler's who helped me design this....great customer service!!!

The specs: Rainshadow SWS597 with EVA foam grips...we did an 8" foregrip for pulling on those Astoria gators...American tackle ti guides with a spiral wrap for the winter months fishing.

I chose Garnet and gold as the primary for the guide wraps and added black my first ever attempt at a cross wrap.

For the record, I really learn more and more as I build more rods...and this one has all the markings of a rookie....but, the one thing I added to my arsenal on this rod was a drying motor and stand...WOW!!!...I can't believe I ever tried drying by hand...this thing made all the difference in the world....it was nicve to get level finishes and understand how to make that happen...

Anyway, here are the pics:

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/2119.JPG

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/1170.JPG

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/462.JPG

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/395.JPG



And now for the fishing story: So, We get anchored last friday down at Astoria...and I present him with the rod...we are both pretty jazzed to see how it is going to perform...hook sets, big shouldered fish..etc.

First bite: He goes to set the hook, while I am watching the rod to see where the power will set in...BAM!!...everything whips back and the line goes slack.....it ended up being a broken leader!...whew, thank god maybe I can build something that won't break..:)

Second Fish: He lays the rod down against the gunnel while he is checking the time on the GPS....I watch in horror as the rod bends for a millisecond....and then gets yanked overboard into the Columbia!!...."Did that really just happen?!?!?!?!?!?".....this happended in less than a second with no time to react!....we couldn't believe what we just saw and a custom rod to boot.

He was pretty upset about the whole ordeal....and the second after it happened I just started laughing....because, I knew I get to build another!!!....am I sick?

Oh well.....onto the next build for him....a lami Sardina.....and he wants marbling!!....something new yet again!

[StickFish]

Well that sucks. I have to tell you that 597 is a fantastic all around blank. Keeper Sturgeon with plenty of backbone to spare. Pulling divers at B10 - no problem with a 40# Chinook. Mooching in the ocean, trolling for silvers, swimbaits for tuna, the list goes on and on. Mine have Avet MXj's on them. I'd build another 597 in a heart beat.

Cross wrap looked good from the photo, good color combination. Your transition guide is a bit large, I usually use a small transition guide as well as a first 180

[Raymond Adams]

What a bummer to watch that rod go out like that. Especially after you did just a nice job & all.
What I could see didn't look like an attempt, it looked like a well completed gift to a friend so don't knock what you've learned. Could you have done better? Well, except for some more intricate thread art and a bit of tweaking on the guide train I don't think so. You did quite well indeed. Design looked sound, wraps were tight, finish was flat and although I coudn't tell from the pix I bet it was bubble free as well. It don't get much better than that DF unless your talking artwork. Art is an ongoing thing. I have building rods over 20 yrs and I'm still learning art of one type or another.

Looking forward to seeing the next one!

[bldsmith]

Wow that sounds so familiar. Built a rod for my old man many moons ago. First attempt at the spiral eyes. Nice 7' salmon rod. He took it out and laid into a monster fish. On one run it ripped the rod out of his hands. The whole thing went over the side into the Eel river in Ca. The end of this story actually comes out good though. He had packed the butt of the rod with foam and a little weight to balance the package. While they continued fishing they came into the next pool and what the heck there is the butt of the rod bobbing in the current. They pick it up and the fish is still there. Well that Salmon (if I remember correctly) went 42 lbs and is mounted at the Grizzly Creek park on Hwy 36.

I bet your friend will be very happy to see the next rod and hopefully he will be a little more vigilant about holding on.

[FCJ]

I too am still learning. Built my first rod in 1976. Have a story about a rod I built as a gift per request of an aquanticie's wife. First time out he and his partner were fishing herring on downriggers in Puget Sound, let out the desired amount of line to pin the line into the release, placed the rod loose in the boat to attach the release clip, sea gull grabs the herring and jerks the rod out of the boat. Most of the day was spent chasing the sea gull/rod because the man could not go home and explain to his wife how he lost his Christmas gift. Happy ending. The rod floated to the surface without the sea gull attached and all that was needed was a reel cleaning. I do not know if the man ever told his wife the story.

[mike carlson]

Well that sucks. I have to tell you that 597 is a fantastic all around blank. Keeper Sturgeon with plenty of backbone to spare. Pulling divers at B10 - no problem with a 40# Chinook. Mooching in the ocean, trolling for silvers, swimbaits for tuna, the list goes on and on. Mine have Avet MXj's on them. I'd build another 597 in a heart beat.

Cross wrap looked good from the photo, good color combination. Your transition guide is a bit large, I usually use a small transition guide as well as a first 180
hello read your thread and was wondering where you get the 597 blank maybe a telephone number please thanks mike

[FrogPond]

Well, you did a great job! Bummer about the donation to the river.

[dixiefisher]

hello read your thread and was wondering where you get the 597 blank maybe a telephone number please thanks mike

Mike,
I bought the whole setup from Anglers.....they didn't have the 597 in stock....but, they ordered it from Batson.....

[Duz]

Mike,
I bought the whole setup from Anglers.....they didn't have the 597 in stock....but, they ordered it from Batson.....



*** is with the bottom twisted eye ?? thats not normal