Sunday, January 16, 2022

Need a Winter Project? Build Yourself a Fiberglass Fly Rod

The winter "shack nasties" might be setting in and if you're stuck inside, you might as well learn or do something new.  How about build yourself a fiberglass fly rod to use as soon as it thaws out where you live.

Here are a few suggestions to get you started on finding that perfect fly rod kit...

CUSTOM FLY ROD CRAFTERS
This New Mexico shop has been around for awhile and along with a few different kit options, Custom Fly Rod Crafters also offers a few different (and inexpensive) blank options that it would be pretty easy for them to make a kit out of for you.  Blank options include CTS Fishing and then their shop blanks of Sunset Red and Moonlight White offerings.

 
Perhaps no other company has gone as deep in not only providing a top shelf kit been offers a long list of resources to include a build instruction booklet that comes with each kit or can be downloaded to your device, Fly Rod Building Resource Page and Fly Rod Building Videos on the Epic website, and a Facebook group for rod builders to connect, get questions answered, and share their builds.

You get what you pay for with Epic and the Ready to Wrap Fly Rod Building Kits are offered in their full range of fiberglass blanks. 

P.S. Thanks to those who use the Epic affiliate links since it helps keep the lights on around here.


I'm going to be honest that somehow I hadn't been tracking on the FlySpoke shop until recently.  The algorithms of social media finally decided it was time to start serving me up Facebook and Instagram posts and I've since added the shop to the Fiberglass Fly Rod Makers list.
 
FlySpoke has a deep stock of CTS Fishing blanks and William can custom build you a kit from the blank chosen.

I spoke with William late last week and he's working on creating a list of CTS Fishing Builder Kits that will be ready to buy on the website.  Look for that update in the next couple of weeks.

It's been awhile since I've been on the Proof Fly Fishing website and I was really surprised at the many different kits that are offered and the prices are very reasonable as well.  It's worth checking out.


Sweden may seem like a long ways away but it's petty easy for RFT Gear to put a package in the mail with one of their RFT Quick Flex or Red Truck kits. 

Even though I haven't had a chance to cast one yet, the RFT Quick Flex blanks have an overwhelmingly positive reputation among hobby and pro builders and the Red Truck four and five weight blanks are really super.  I have factory built fly rods in both line weights and won't ever part with them.

SO MANY BLANKS TO CHOOSE FROM
Maybe you want to build your own fly rod but you don't need a full kit.  I get that.  There is never been so many different fiberglass fly rod blanks choose from and I'm always happy to discuss and guide you in what blank might be best for what you're intending to do with it.  Send an email and we can hash it all out. 

The Fiberglass Fly Rod Makers page has direct links to the many builders and companies that offer blanks and here's a couple sales that are worth checking out...
 
NORTH FORK COMPOSITES - Their entire Iconoglass and All Purpose Fast Glass blanks are on sale through the month of January and have you covered for fly, spin, or bait casting.  

AMERICAN RODBUILDERS WAREHOUSE
- I don't know the full background on this but ARW has a stash of Diamonback Meeker blanks that are less than $45 each.  From those who have purchased these blanks, all indications are that they are Meeker blanks and even include the proper Diamondback Meeker decals.
 
Did I miss something or someone that should be included in this post?  If so, please let me know with an email.

1 comment:

Joey Sikorski said...

Just getting rolling for the season. Got an Epic 686 about to hit the bench!