Wrapping Rods

[Reelark]

You've done a great job!

 

[Lynn]

I do all of my rods but avoid the crap like in the photo. I go for feel and sensitivity, Not outward looks....

Is it possible to to have both?
I build my own rods as well and I build them plain looking but don't see how dressing them up turns them into crap

 

[Buster]

Is it possible to to have both?
I build my own rods as well and I build them plain looking but don't see how dressing them up turns them into crap

I'd say "Yes, but..." There are things you can do and materials you can use that may look great to you but add weight, reduce sensitivity (or at least not optimize it), and otherwise make the final product less than it could be from a performance perspective. There are also a lot of things you can do that have no measurable negative effect and still look good. And there are types of fishing where rod performance doesn't matter much.

 

[CRS]

Beauty is a personal thing. As far as having beauty and performance it’s not a problem. Study what effects performance and adjust the beautification to suit the guidelines. Personally I like plain looking rods with high quality wrap. Keep the wraps small and limit the epoxy to only what is necessary. Pay close attention to accuracy of guide spacing and size. Accurately determine the spine and weight distribution.

 

[thill]

CRS hit on something that is very important to rod sensitivity - guide material selection, wrap, epoxy and spacing. Full line contact but at the lightest weight possible.

I have been a single-foot Fuji Alconite fan. SIC rings are too brittle, so I stopped using them. I would reduce down to a fly guide as quickly as possible, and it made a huge difference.

Now, there are a number of wire guides that have no ceramic insert that hold up well against braid. I bought a set from Mudhole to try, and it almost feels like the blank has no guides yet. Very impressive. And after a summer of fishing, not even a blemish on them despite lots of drag-pulling. I'm very impressed with these guides.

I'm strongly considering swapping to these guides next time I need to refurbish one of my older MB builds.