Outstanding, as usual for you. Still looking forward to seeing that handle.

Outstanding, as usual for you. Still looking forward to seeing that handle.

Once I get the butt cap glued on.

Nice finish coating! 

Just applied the decal and and coated it. Barring any gnat or dust bunny attacks in the next 4 hours, it'll be almost ready to go. Just need to glue up the butt cap tomorrow and take some good pics with the reel attached.

I'm always relieved when when the decal turns out flawless. That is the hardest area to keep clean working in a basement with a lathe nearby and 3 dogs running about!

Sweet. Looks like you built it for some guy named Dwight. Couldn't read the last name. Lucky fellow.

Well, this is it!

Can't wait to see it in person.

Very nice. That grip will be hard to top.

Can't wait to see it in person.

All packed up in the truck.

Don't forget the reel & cover, sir.

Don't forget the reel & cover, sir.

Those are in the truck too, in the pouch on the back of the seat.

Beautiful build!  Congrats Dwight, that will be a sweet stick.

Wow, very cool rod. Beauty!

After doing this inlay twice, it has become my favorite pattern. I have plans to do a couple in EVA shortly.

Delivery made! I think he's happy with it. Hope to have a hero shot soon!

Nice work again, Scott. It is inspiring.

And at least that Dwight dude has reels with the handle on the correct side.

Nice work again, Scott. It is inspiring.

And at least that Dwight dude has reels with the handle on the correct side.

Funny you say that. After I wrapped it spiral right I was smacking myself about needing to rewrap the first 3 guides. Then i looked at the reel again and felt relieved. All of mine are left retrieve.....that's the 'right' side to me!

Well guys anyone considering a custom built rod should talk to Scott. I asked him to use his own desecration on the reel handle design. My only input was that I like burled cork so that handle looked different than a plain cork factory build. Boy did he ever come up with a one of a kind handle design. The blank I chose because I had a St Croix legend elite previously & like the heavy power blank for fishing in Florida with straight baid in the vegetation. I new what guides I wanted but Scott fine tuned my selection to best serve the straight braid in dirty water. His guide placement for sprial wrapping was very well thought out. The fit & finish is flawless. The rod balances perfect right under the reel foot. The guide wraps blend perfectly with the reel & blank. I'm a happy man. Thanks Scott. 

I would like to thank Dwight for being so patient through the process. The missed deadlines on the blank shipment, the reel seat not fitting and the pure laziness of me when I didn't feel like building. I don't like to build when I'm not feeling the Mojo cause what I end up putting out is crap. I went in to a funk in 2012 and didn't put out much between then and this past spring. I think it took getting a new piece of equipment to work with to get me back in the swing. I think I'm back!!

Seeing the positive feedback on what a cool build this was should inspire and help keep that mojo flowing. Looks awesome. Cant wait to see whats next.

I hope these posts inspire and push other builders to improve their skills. It's not rocket science, it just takes some practice!

Some builders are secretive about techniques to build things. I'll tell you how I did it and show pics along the way.

I don't know how I missed this whole thread until now. Excellent work, Scott (as always).

Dwight, I can't wait to see you holding a 10lb+ Bass in your right hand with that rod in your left.

Seeing the positive feedback on what a cool build this was should inspire and help keep that mojo flowing. Looks awesome. Cant wait to see whats next.

I can't either. Maybe a 10' 5wt. with an extended fighting butt and an inlayed letter "S" in the cork handle? That would be awesome!

Hey Dwight -- let's not drop this in the drink, mmmkay?