Where do people buy their rod building stuff from these days?

[PennKev]

I have the original Garrison downlock reel seat hardware in black on 4 rods, though I bought them from Ole Florida Fly shop, not Proof (not sure Proof was around at the time), but it's the same hardware. The butt cap reel foot receptacle is a bit narrow for some reel feet, my U.S. made Medalists in particular, but they still work well enough. I really like the large interrupted thread design. These are all on 8.5 ft South Bend rods. It's a little tricky to glue up. I don't see what the difference is from the Garrison ll hardware on the Proof site.

The Garrison II seats seem to be just bright plated finish options that cost a bit more.

 

[JeffK]

Lately I have been using Northfork Composite blanks, which I love. However, delivery has been slow for me. For example, I ordered 3 blanks last December 1 when they were on sale. Got one in May, one in July, and am still waiting for a 10' 0 wt (had to try it). Last year I built an 11' 2 wt, which I really love for nymphing in bigger streams.

Most of my component buys have been from Proof, with some from Mudhole, Anglers Workshop and others. Used to buy spinning guides from Mudhole for stripping guides since they are cheaper and have more variety, but don't save much so usually buy with all other components now.

Have had good luck with Hook and Hackle but they seem to be focusing more on their kits these days. (miss the Hook and Hackle fly lines). Have built about 6 of their kits which are a good way to get an inexpensive back up rod or one you don't fish much. Also a good way for a beginner to start. Much better rod for the price than a new rod, but not always exactly what I want. FWIW, they have a thin black thread in the kits. You may want to spend a couple of bucks to get a color you prefer.

 

[kbobb]

Anyone done a bamboo build recently where they used a 3rd party rod blank? I mean like, a rod blank you did not make yourself? Sorry for the potential sidetrack-just curious what is out there for bamboo blanks? I seen the Zhus stuff from Red China all over ebay. Some say they're fine blanks. IDK. My dead Korean war vet relatives would roll in their graves over all the Red Chinese crap I buy weekly @ wally world!

I might try to do a bamboo build this winter and would like some rod blank options in addition to Red China.

I could always use a ' in rough shape' swap meet or flea market Heddon, Monty, or SB vintage rod to get a donor/sacrificial bamboo blank?

For a bamboo blank try Tim Zietak in SW PA or Dennis Stone on the west coast - maybe Washington state?

I have a Para 15 clone I built on a blank from Tim and like it a lot. Cast a ****erson 8013 rod he built and it was very nice.

 

[salvelinus]

Anyone done a bamboo build recently where they used a 3rd party rod blank? I mean like, a rod blank you did not make yourself? Sorry for the potential sidetrack-just curious what is out there for bamboo blanks? I seen the Zhus stuff from Red China all over ebay. Some say they're fine blanks. IDK. My dead Korean war vet relatives would roll in their graves over all the Red Chinese crap I buy weekly @ wally world!

I might try to do a bamboo build this winter and would like some rod blank options in addition to Red China.

I could always use a ' in rough shape' swap meet or flea market Heddon, Monty, or SB vintage rod to get a donor/sacrificial bamboo blank?

Shane Gray has bamboo blanks. He is known primarily for his fiberglass builds; I have several and they are exceptional. His boo blanks are not imported. Graywolf

 

[gfenlikestolosepasswords]

Shane Gray has bamboo blanks. He is known primarily for his fiberglass builds; I have several and they are exceptional. His boo blanks are not imported. Graywolf

"These are not soft-tipped, mass-produced imports. They’re premium, hand-planed bamboo blanks— crafted for rodmakers who appreciate precision, strength, and heritage."

You sure about that? That sentence can be ready that they're hand-planed blanks that are still imported, just not mass produced. I'm not sure how someone can be producing blanks for that cheap even from random hobbyists in America who allow Graywolf to clearinghouse them.

$340 for two tips and ferruled blanks seems awful cheap considering that Steffan "mass produced" glass blanks are only $60 less.

 

[PennKev]

$340 for two tips and ferruled blanks seems awful cheap considering that Steffan "mass produced" glass blanks are only $60 less.

Yeah, especially when you consider that reputable small-time builders were already offering blanks for over $300 twenty or so years ago.

 

[CinnamonJoe]

There is a younger guy out in the Denver, CO area selling his own handmade boo rods, purportedly off his own blanks for <$1k; saw his website a few weeks ago

www.denver-cane.com/

 

[gfenlikestolosepasswords]

Yeah, especially when you consider that reputable small-time builders were already offering blanks for over $300 twenty or so years ago.

Zietak used to be "that guy."

I'll be honest, I'd still rather give someone an extra bit of cash to proof a Zhus blank in ways I can't to make sure I get a a "good" one, but I'm 100% not convinced these are made in America (or Canada) by someone because it wasn't explicitly said so.

This very much strikes me as a case where it would be very clearly stated as a selling point.

 

[PennKev]

This very much strikes me as a case where it would be very clearly stated as a sesellin point.

Exactly. Even more so when quality is emphasized but no mention of origin. To be fair to GW, he does have a good reputation for quality work. I think I'd give the benefit of the doubt on that point. There is also a no questions inspection period.

 

[czechmate18]

I buy most of my stuff from Hook and Hackle. Ron is great to deal with and give you honest input. I also buy from NFC but the wait times are horrible, Aleks was not happy with one of my post about it. I mainly build nymph rods and some bamboo. I built on Shane Wolf blanks and some vintage rebuilds mainly H&Is. I also shop around and have used proof, fishoncustomrods for agates, and ye old English out of Florida. My suggestion is to call in and place the order. Talk with people and build a relationship with them.

I am going to try and start turning my own inserts, I did not like the prices for REC inserts

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

I am going to try and start turning my own inserts, I did not like the prices for REC inserts

H&H is right around the corner from you, and I like the reel seats they sell with their kits. Will you be sourcing inserts in the future?

 

[bigslackwater]

I buy most of my stuff from Hook and Hackle. Ron is great to deal with and give you honest input. I also buy from NFC but the wait times are horrible, Aleks was not happy with one of my post about it. I mainly build nymph rods and some bamboo. I built on Shane Wolf blanks and some vintage rebuilds mainly H&Is. I also shop around and have used proof, fishoncustomrods for agates, and ye old English out of Florida. My suggestion is to call in and place the order. Talk with people and build a relationship with them.

I am going to try and start turning my own inserts, I did not like the prices for REC inserts

I've been waiting since early July for 3 NFC blanks. At the time they were running a sale. Half the blanks were "out of stock". I had to pick blanks from what they had "in stock". When I emailed about the status they told me they are working as fast as they can to get blanks made for orders. So my take away is they actually sell blanks that aren't made yet.