Awesome rod!  Spectacular craftsmanship.

Sweet!

My wallet is terrified. I have a Sol and a Fuego that need matching rods!

Cgrinder, I just got some new thread in that looks like a perfect match for orange/red color Fuego. Just sayin'.......lol

Continued......

 

The parts are dry fitted and then assembled using epoxy paste adhesive.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126656430@N02/14653984140/

 

The guides are attached temporarily. The rod is static tested by placing it under ever increasing load and guide positions are adjusted to achieve a smooth line flow spreading the load across the length of the blank. Sorry I didn't get a good pic of this step.

 

Test casting, Guide wraps, decals, finish......

Finished product:

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126656430@N02/14837459481/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126656430@N02/14840547435/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126656430@N02/14840191152/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126656430@N02/14653904229/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126656430@N02/14838184534/

 

Thanks for looking and Thank you RW for the opportunity to build for you and share the results!

Thank you!

 

 

 

Beautiful rod

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

VERY cool !

Slime time. Then give us a review.

I wish I had the money to get one built. I need a better all around rod. Lol

A custom build doesn't have to break the bank. Email me what you're looking for and a budget range and I'll get back to you with what can be done. 

Sooooooooooooo nice

A custom build doesn't have to break the bank. Email me what you're looking for and a budget range and I'll get back to you with what can be done. 

 

My budget would be $150 or lower. I would have to sell some stuff to get that much.

Nice job Mike!  Great looking rod.

$435 all in including shipping.

Is that price for rod & reel or just rod?

lol that price does not include a stella.

Is that price for rod & reel or just rod?

Don't be scared off by that price.  He has $100 just in guides, or close to it.  You can do a custom build for considerably cheaper.

Mike will work with you, there are many options to stay within budget. 

To keep this in perspective, my rod cost about the same as a G. Loomis

GLX. I don't feel like I paid any premium having the new rod custom made.

I have been experimenting a little with a couple of options. I think I'm probably going to go

with a Stella 1000 rather than the 2500, but they are both in play for now.

A 1000 sounds pretty good for what I expect you will be using the rod for...

Either will cast nicely with that guide train, and when it comes to finesse fishing there's no such thing as too light. A 1000 on a 4 oz + rod fits the bill.

I love my 1000s for fishing for smallies!

Very nice looking rod, gents.

 

Kent, I'll be interested in your impression of those guides, after you get a few miles on them.

My wallet is terrified. I have a Sol and a Fuego that need matching rods!

 

Made me crack right up!