Trouts & Stouts
 
It has been pretty busy here project-wise. I've just rounded up work on a series of fiberglass rods and I think I am going to be switching gears for a few weeks to some new projects. 
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Eclectic Angler Bi-Metal Reel

For Christmas I received a kit to build a this neat little brass and aluminum reel. The kit is manufactured by fellow Massachusetts-er  Michael Hackney at Eclectic Angler. In addition to making ands selling classic fly reels and kits, Michael is the author of The Reelsmith's Primer, and  administers an online forum for reelsmiths. 

The kit itself includes pre-cut reel pieces, and other components to finish and assemble. I have not done a lot of metal working, but I think I should be able to handle the polishing and filing required.

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Orvis Hydros Graphite Fly Rod

One of my personal projects of the last couple of years is getting my friends involved in fly fishing. One of my recent success stories has been my friend Ned, who has come on more than one fishing excursion, including last year's excellent trip to the Tuolumne river in Yosemite. He has enjoyed it enough that it is time that he had his own rod. I am honored that he is trusting me to build it for him. I am not a lover of graphite, but as a former Orvis retail associate I can say that they make some pretty rods, especially for a beginner. Therefore, I am going to build him a 8.5 ft, 5wt Orvis Hydros. Orvis finishes these out with a a lovely blue thread and aluminum reel seat, but at Ned's request, I think we will be using a more traditional wooden reel seat, and a contrasting thread.

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Unknown Bamboo Production Rod Restoration

My Dad picked up this bamboo rod last year at an antique store, and fished it for a couple of months before the stripping guide came off and it was clear that the rod was in need of some serious TLC. After consulting some knowledgable folks, I have determined that it is a post WWII Japanese rod, and probably has little collector's value. Therefore I am going to modernize it for fishing, upping the number of guides from 6 to 8, and replacing the bent chrome ferrules with nickel-silver.

 


Comments

02/25/2011 13:12

Good for you. I've been looking at building one of Mike's reels because it looks challenging enough for me. I'm not a rod builder or restorer, but I've got two custom fiberglass builds from friends of mine. They are priceless to me. I hope we can see the finished product when you are done.

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02/25/2011 14:19

Thanks for the mention of my reel kits! Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions, etc. Hopefully, this snow and ice will melt so we can get some fishing in this year!

By the way, take a look through my newsletter archives in the EclecticAngler, each has a great tip on building and enhancing your reel or reel kit. March's tip will show you how to convert your kit in to a raised pillar design.

cheers,
Michael

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02/25/2011 20:10

Mike, I enjoy your newsletters quite a bit, I await the March edition with baited breath.

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02/25/2011 21:24

Does baited breath mean you eat nightcrawlers, crickets and things?

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02/28/2011 09:53

Thanks Eben. I'll let the cat out of the bag on the March Newsletter:

1) the tip is about how to make our kits in to raised pillars using a simple jeweler's saw.

2) a new monthly feature - "Reelflection" where we take a look at an interesting reel from the past. The first installment of Reelflection is about the granddaddy of fly reels - the 1874 Patent Orvis fly reel.

3) several great new product announcement.

How's that! It will be available by the end of this week.

cheers,
Michael

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