I recently had Scott make a very precise modification for me on a G Loomis GLX CBR855 (how I met Scott and what I had done is all contained in an older thread in this section). Well, I was so pleased with how that project turned out, I thought I would challenge him even further. I do a lot of traveling for work and at times my work takes me out West. I am an avid fly fisherman and when out West, I like to be able to hit some of those great trout streams in what spare time I have. The problem I have is transporting my fly rod. I would have to carry it on an airplane along with my laptop, which would constitute my 2 carry-ons. I always like to carry-on a small suitcase (within specified carry-on dimensions) containing a days worth of clothes just in case my luggage is delayed or lost. When I take my fly rod with me that small suitcase can't make the trip, because I don't think my work would be happy if I checked in my laptop and I wouldn't dare check in my fly rod.

This leads to my project. I wanted to find a travel 5 wt. fly rod that was around 9'10" in length (I like to tight line nymph so I like a longer rod) with a fighting butt that could break down and fit into that small carry-on suitcase along with my change of clothes. Upon doing an extensive search, I found plenty of travel fly rods, but none in my specific length (plenty of 9 footers and one 10 footer, but not exactly what I wanted), so I contacted Scott. We brainstormed and I told him I could get a Cabelas Stowaway 6 piece 5-wt blank, but it was only 8'6" long. He told me he had an idea that may work. I ordered the blank and delivered it to Scott. Well, after a few back and forth questions and decisions (type of reel seat, type of handle, type of guides, etc.), Scott produced this...

Scott could tell you much better than I, but he took an old piece of a St. Croix blank and made that the seventh piece where the handle and reel seat are on. The overall length is exactly 9'10" and the action is right where I want it. I had him add line-up dots for each section (I think I drove him nuts with that) and snake guides (which I also think drove him nuts). Before he epoxied the fighting butt on, I brought over my reel and he inserted weight into the end of the blank in order to balance it exactly where I wanted it. He really exceeded my expectations (again) and I am blown away by his ability and craftsmanship. I also know this is a bass forum, but I figured you fellow rodmakers can appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into any type of rod (especially one where he has to add a section). Thanks again, Scott, and I will have to think up an even more challenging project next time. Maybe an 11 foot telescopic musky rod that can cast 24 ounce lures...hmmmm.

Very nice!

Tom

I saw this on FB, very nicely done!

Good idea and well executed. Looks like it was "supposed to be" just how it turned out

Very impressive work Scott.

Wow that is a piece of art right there!

Scott is a fantastic craftsman.

The work is beautiful.

Great finish on that rod! A++

Thank you guys. This was an interesting build. Fitting the 7th piece was the most challenging. I had a SCIV crankbait rod in my bone pile, and the action was really close to that of the fly blank. After cutting a chunk out of the middle and removing the paint, I was able to sand the extra piece to fit perfectly into the end of the Cabelas blank. A bit of poor planning on my part led me to design a decal that wouldn't fit on the handle section. It worked out fine though because the bottom 4" of the fly blank was unpainted and needed to be covered. I absolutely despise double foot guides, so motivation to wrap this rod was quite low. As for the alignment dots, I've never done them before, so that was a learning experience. I wiped off quite a few that didn't turn out right.

Handles and reelseats are where I accel and I wasn't given much creative freedom on this rod. He likes to rod-wrap all of his grips, so there was no reason to do anything cool with them. I said that he HAD to let me do a reelseat then since the grips would be covered. I picked up this TiCh colored window seat and turned a blue big leaf maple insert for it. I don't think he was expecting that!

Here's a few better pics of the seat.

BTW, the parts are on their way for a 10.5' 2pc musky rod capable of casting 36oz lures!

BTW, the parts are on their way for a 10.5' 2pc musky rod capable of casting 36oz lures!

Sounds more like a catapult than a fishing rod.

That reel seat insert is stunning!

Handles and reelseats are where I accel and I wasn't given much creative freedom on this rod. He likes to rod-wrap all of his grips, so there was no reason to do anything cool with them. I said that he HAD to let me do a reelseat then since the grips would be covered. I picked up this TiCh colored window seat and turned a blue big leaf maple insert for it. I don't think he was expecting that!

Yeah, poor Scott. I am a man of function and I don't care much about aesthetics, so I don't really go for all the frills. Scott did really want to do something special with the reel seat, but I didn't quite know what he had up his sleeve. Well, I was blown away with what he created and really can appreciate the beauty in his work (unfortunately, I am going to be hesitant to use it now because it looks so nice).

BTW, the parts are on their way for a 10.5' 2pc musky rod capable of casting 36oz lures!

I am very excited for this project (though, I don't think Scott is all that excited). I am headed to St. Clair this Fall and this thing will be a Pounder (and hopefully 2-Pounder) casting machine!