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

So, I don't buy too much of that stuff lately since I'm short on time to devote to it; but generally Jann's Netcraft or E-Bay.

Also, sometimes there is that 'one old dude' with a table of components that randomly shows up at the gunshows, or a flea market/swap meet; what I mean is that sometimes you find something like that unexpected and can get some great deals.
 
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I haven't in probably 10+ years, but I want to make another and was shocked at the mount of mo ney downlocking reel seats seem to cost now. Although I didn't look at Jann's, and I forgot about them completely.
 
gfenlikestolosepasswords said:
And when did things like cork grips and reel seats get so damned expensive??!
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This has been my first stop for the components. www.proofflyfishing.com
Prices are good. Quality is good and consistent. Ever expanding selection.

I've also been using www.yeoldeenglishflyshop.com for some harder to find or unique items.

Mudhole, Ebay, and some others fill the void.
REC when I'm feeling loose with my money.

In the past I used Hook and Hackle a lot but their selection has been shrinking as of recent years. I used to buy a ton of stuff from them. They still have some good stuff though.
 
Mudhole seems to be getting better for Fly rod building, even though the company is mostly geared toward spin, surf, baitcasting etc... My go to blanks are Rainshadow and North Fork Composites but recently I built an American Tackle Company matrix from Mudhole and really like it. American tackle grips and hardware are pretty good for the price.
 
I buy alot of my blanks and supplies from Hook & hackle right here in PA
 
I found Proof last night. https://www.flyrodcrafters.com/ seems to have a decent selection, as well.

Some of the other seemed short stocked, devoid of my specific wants, or just crazy expensive to the point where I was surprised at how it's become.

No blanks needed, it was really grips and seats that were the biggest issue. Proof might have the best selection of reasonably priced grips I've found.
 
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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?
 
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That was the intention for this thread, but after having it for a lawn session I think I'd be doing more harm than good. The two Princes I own both use a snake guide in lieu of a stripper, I might just try to clean up this new one a little bit and cut off the last snake and replace with a stripping guide. Everything else I'd do was strictly out of vanity anyways.

I still have two other, longer, rods floating around I wanted to do just for practice. A Monty Flash and an unmarked unknown. The Flash is beat to crap and heavy, but the unknown only needs to have one ferrule reset so... I probably won't ruin that one, either.

You can buy a Zhus (et al) Chinese blank, an old donor rod, or hunt around to find someone whose making their own rods and buy a blank from them. There's people on the classic rod forum who suggest that all the time, and yet I never see any of the names, or prices, for these people posted.

I suggest a post there inquiring about names might turn some folks up in messages making offers. Or, keep buying vintage rods and realizing you don't want to ruin them like I do. 🙂
 
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.
 
I bought a half-dozen Fenwick new-old-stock grips and metal seats before I quit the hobby. I'm down to my last one. The problem, this time, is I'm trying to come in with a grip under 6" long (to preserve the original label and handwriting) in half-wells (not reversed/western) and a wood insert reel seat to be a little prettier than utilitarian. Proof actually has a 5.75" full wells which I'm going to pick up incase I decide to undertake the project in the future.
 
gfenlikestolosepasswords said:
I bought a half-dozen Fenwick new-old-stock grips and metal seats before I quit the hobby. I'm down to my last one. The problem, this time, is I'm trying to come in with a grip under 6" long (to preserve the original label and handwriting) in half-wells (not reversed/western) and a wood insert reel seat to be a little prettier than utilitarian. Proof actually has a 5.75" full wells which I'm going to pick up incase I decide to undertake the project in the future.
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No interest in making up a custom grip from cork rings?
 
gfenlikestolosepasswords said:
I am what most people would term "an idiot." I don't have tools, knowlede, or the interest in either of them to glue and turn a handle if I can help it.
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I'm with ya there in lock-step; but every once in awhile, I get it right on the 2nd or 3rd try, if the motivation/interest overwhelm me.
 
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