seeking veteran rod builder

[native steelie]

needs to be around central oregon area, price or other methods of payment per desired.

i have a gloomis blank i would love to have built. i personally dont feel confident enough in myself to to put together such a nice blank. and really i dont have the cash to learn how to do it myself. i've been looking through materials to build the rod but im just up in arms about what to choose there's just so many options. if anyone has the desire or drive to help me out plz shoot me a PM plz

[CRD4Liberty]

If you don't have the cash for the components, how's the rod going to be built? Building it yourself is by far your cheapest option now that you have the blank, it's not rocket science.
Having it built is going to be $100+ and than the price of the components, transportation/shipping. There's tutorials all over the web and a good book on the subject at your bookstore are in the $15 range.
I'd be happy to help in any way to get you through the process. PM me and we'll talk.

[StickFish]

We'd all enjoy making you sick with a new hobby. A buddy of mine who used to build and teach a lot of rod building classes says this about rod building, "All you need is opposable thumbs to build a fishing rod." You can use very cheap tools, cardboard box with v's cut in it for a jig. A coffee cup and a book as a thread tensioner. Heck you can be the drying motor. Its how I built my first rod.

[fishin"G"man]

I have the same issues facing me... A freebie G Loomis rod and an honor to uphold to make it right and as pretty as I know how to do. Pressure to do it right? You bet. If I don't learn to do it and do it I can't whine about someone else's work. The bragging rights will be humble but worthy.

I envy you guys with nimble hands and gorgeous rods to show (look at hanapas work ). None the less, I'm going to do my own work and believe that I can make a rod that is just as good as any factory G Loomis rod out there. My last build was nice and is still nice. I get remarks about it often. Does it look as nice as Hanapas? Nope, but then it isn't hanapas. Sorry Hanapa...

All that said, I'd love to learn that art then I'd be willing to show my work for others to see too.

[E. Harry]

fishin"G"man,
I am sure that you can build a rod from your Loomis blank that is as good or better, in terms of performance, than a factory rod. If it a rod that will be used to cast with, as opposed to a boat rod, the key thing to keep in mind is mass or weight. Everything that a custom rod builder does adds weight and weight reduces the rods performance. Add as little weight as you can consistant with the use you have in mind for the rod and you will do fine.
Depending on the type of rod that you are building, there are a number of new very light guide types available now. Take a look at the Alps guides from Batson Enterprises for example.

[Cap'n Ron]

I just finished 2 rods using those ALPS lightweight casting guides with zirconium rings. I love 'em.