What’s on my bench this week!

I’m busy getting ready for The Fly Fishing Show http://flyfishingshow.com/pleasanton-ca/ in Pleasanton, California in 3 weeks.  I’ll have a booth at the show and Mary Ann will be teaching a few Fly Casting Classes.  I’ve been working at getting a couple of new rods done for the show.  First, I’ve just completed the wraps on a 7′  6″  5 wt Signature Series Rod and it will go into my varnish dipping process in the next day or two.  And, I’m also working on two new 7′  9″  4 wt Spring Creek Rods.  One will be completed for the show, and the second will get completed once I get back.  These are slow action rods, perfect for delicate presentations on spring creeks.  Here is a look:

7′ 6″ 5 wt Signature Series rod just ready for varnish dipping.

Two new 7′ 9″ 4 wt. Spring Creek Rods. On the right, a 2 piece/2 tip rod that just came out of the string after gluing. Next up, file off the glue and start cork and ferrules. The strips on the left are a second rod that is ready for hand planing.

Inscribing a Bamboo Fly Rod with Pen and Ink

I get asked quite often how I inscribe my fly rods.  I use an old style Speedball pen with an extra-fine tip and India ink.  It takes a little practice and good magnification to see what you’re doing.  Here is a quick video:

My Morning Commute!

OK, the the serious snowstorm that was centered in the Northwest has finally passed beyond Oregon.  We have 19 1/2 inches of snow here at the house.  Fortunately, my morning commute to my workshop is only about 120 feet, and I have a great heating system in the workshop.



And the finished fly rod…

My latest rod is now complete, and it will be heading out to Iowa today.  A wonderful progressive action 8′  0″  4 wt hollow-built rod that will be a great match to Iowa spring creeks.  Here is a look at the rod before it heads out my door.

A nice 8′ 0″ 4 wt hollow built Signature Series rod.

Finishing up an 8′ 0″ 4 wt Signature Series Fly Rod

Just finished the guide wraps on a new 8′  0″  4 wt Hollow Built Signature Series Fly Rod.  The next step is to apply several brush-on coats of varnish to the wraps, and then it’s on to the dip tank to varnish the complete rod.  This rod will be going to Willa, a good friend in Iowa, when it gets completed.  She has big plans to fish this rod on several Iowa spring creeks….it should be a great match for those waters.

Guide wraps ready for varnishing.

Guide wraps ready for varnishing.