Kern River Fly Fishing Forum

fishin 4ever

Silver Member

Posts: 136

blanks help
Jul 2^nd, 2010, 9:54am

Hi all, me & my dad are thinking about building some rods as a hobby. we have "googled", & 'dogpiled" now for 3 days looking for some blanks & other materials. All the places we have found want a pretty penny for their stuff. Was wondering where yall get some of your blanks that wont break the bank. I know you get what you pay for but we are just starting out & the Queens (mom & my wife) would be REALLY upset if we bought say a G-Loomas & messed it up. So any & all help would be great!! Thanks guys

John

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John

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fishinXJ Platinum Member SSFFC Conservation Chair, KRFF Posts: 1422 Gender:	Re: blanks help Reply #1 - Jul 2^nd, 2010, 9:59am Call Mark at Acid Rods. He'll take good care of you. If you joined the SSFF you get a 15 prcent discount too! http://www.kernriverflyfishing.com/acidrod_en.htm You can also order TFO blanks from Guy and they are pretty darn good rod for the money. shane
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fishin 4ever Silver Member Posts: 136	Re: blanks help Reply #2 - Jul 2^nd, 2010, 10:11am Thanks shane!! I think i found a blank!! & I need to hurry & join the club! John
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Pete

Board Moderator

"Once you do
Boo, you'll never go
plastic again"

Posts: 2041
Gender: male

Re: blanks help
Reply #3 - Jul 2^nd, 2010, 11:37am

Guy's shop is a great source, along with Mark and Colleen at Acid Rods. Just recieved a TFO blank that Rock, at the shop, had dropped shipped to me. I think it took two days to get. My latest order from Acid Rods took two days.

If you haven't built a rod before, join the club and sign up for the rod building class Wink

. I am trying to fill the class so we can schedule it. Plus you get everything necessary to build a rod.

Pete

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www.renaissanceflyrods.com

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BradW

Platinum Member

Posts: 602
Gender: male

Re: blanks help
Reply #4 - Jul 2^nd, 2010, 1:34pm

Quote from Pete on Jul 2^nd, 2010, 11:37am:

Guy's shop is a great source, along with Mark and Colleen at Acid Rods. Just recieved a TFO blank that Rock, at the shop, had dropped shipped to me. I think it took two days to get. My latest order from Acid Rods took two days.
Pete

TFO Blank? Is that like...graphite.... Shocked

....

Great advice from above. Excellent sources for afordable blanks.

Brad

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fishin 4ever Silver Member Posts: 136	Re: blanks help Reply #5 - Jul 2^nd, 2010, 3:02pm Im gonna join the club very soon but not sure I can afford the class just yet. maybe I could sit & watch if the class gets full. John
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Pete

Board Moderator

"Once you do
Boo, you'll never go
plastic again"

Posts: 2041
Gender: male

Re: blanks help
Reply #6 - Jul 2^nd, 2010, 3:34pm

Quote from BradW on Jul 2^nd, 2010, 1:34pm:

Quote from Pete on Jul 2^nd, 2010, 11:37am:

Guy's shop is a great source, along with Mark and Colleen at Acid Rods. Just recieved a TFO blank that Rock, at the shop, had dropped shipped to me. I think it took two days to get. My latest order from Acid Rods took two days.
Pete

TFO Blank? Is that like...graphite.... Shocked

....

Great advice from above. Excellent sources for afordable blanks.

Brad

Hey, let's set the record straight. THE ROD IS NOT FOR ME!!! Customer... along with the other two plastic rods I am starting in another week. If I have my way I will convert all of you to Bamboo. I can't see all of you missing out on God's gift to fly fishing....Bamboo. Slowly but surely I will get to each and every one of you Smiley

. I already have ChrisC as my evil minion and there is another that will complete the change soooooon.

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www.renaissanceflyrods.com

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fishin 4ever Silver Member Posts: 136	Re: blanks help Reply #7 - Jul 2^nd, 2010, 3:47pm I wouldnt mind casting a boo rod to see how it feels. John
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xbill_y Platinum Member Posts: 1591 Gender:	Re: blanks help Reply #8 - Jul 2^nd, 2010, 5:22pm John, Do yourself a huge favor, join the club and do the rod building class. At completeion of the class, you will have your first build under your belt. With the instruction from Pete or Chiaki, it will save you hours of frustration, and your work will be much cleaner! Bill
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fishin 4ever Silver Member Posts: 136	Re: blanks help Reply #9 - Jul 3^rd, 2010, 10:56pm seriously considering the class as soon as i get a few more things "in order" John
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JDubP

Gold Member

Posts: 300
Gender: male

Re: blanks help
Reply #10 - Jul 4^th, 2010, 9:39am

There are several reasons taking the class is better than trying this on your own:

1) Save $$$- the class cost includes all tools, suppleis and components to build a rod (you will need the tools & supplies to build rods in the future)
You will probably pay more (than class + SSFFC membership) if you just go out and buy everything
separately (tools, supplies, blank, components) SSFFC and Guy have worked with vendors to buy down the cost
of this rod building kit.

2) Learn to do it right- rod building is easy but there are a lot of opportunities to mess up and a lot of trick of the trade.
This is a hands-on class from Pete-- a master rod builder . Pete's time alone is worth far more than the class cost.
You will build your own rod with step-by-step instructions AND immediate feedback, questions answered and suggestions.
You also learn how to re-do your screw-ups (and you will have screw ups.)
All the questions you have asked here will be answered in class, so you know the best way to proceed with future rods.

3) Plus what a great father-son day, taking a rod-building class in Kernville. (and maybe hit the river after the class)

4) The class rod is a good 9ft 5 wt stick that casts and fishes smoothly.

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« Last Edit: Jul 9^th, 2010, 1:03pm by JDubP »

How can I know if I am a good fisherman, or if I really only catch the dumbest trout?

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Wildman

Gold Member

I've seldom met a
horse or mule I
didn't like...

Posts: 327
Gender: male

Re: blanks help
Reply #11 - Jul 4^th, 2010, 10:53am

Everything he said and more. The rod tying stuff you get with the class is worth far more....especially if you had to buy it on your own. I am still using mine three years later. Having someone explain the how and the why is priceless for someone like me is not handy with much of anything. The ability to ask questions of someone who has been there and done that is priceless. Like they said....you come out of the day with a sweet five weight (that I still use) and the confidence to try it on your own. All of the club instructors are first rate builders in their own right and have great grasp of how to share their knowledge and the step by step with a beginner. One of the best investments you will make in your fly fishing experiences.

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"Life is hard. It's harder if you're stupid." John Wayne

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Swanee Platinum Member KRFF & SSFF Posts: 557 Gender:	Re: blanks help Reply #12 - Jul 10^th, 2010, 6:54pm John Take the class.........it's way better than doing it on your own. Believe me, $125 is really a bargain for the rest of your life. Swanee
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