My first rod is almost finished and I'm basically satisfied with it but the process of building it has brought about a multitude of questions. I have a borrowed copy of L.A.Garcia's "Handcrafting A Graphite Fly Rod" and I have read and researched many online resources and picked the brains of a couple of friends that build rods. All of this information has been useful but nothing can replace hands on experience. Is there a source for really inexpensive finished graphite blanks that I could use as test beds for different threads, finishes, techniques, etc.

yes Mud Hole Tackle finished blanks $13 .00 good blanks. regards John

Thanks John, that is exactly what I am looking for. The dark brown root beer should be good, just wish they had a dark green. I have no intention of building a rod with it, just someting to help answer the question, "I wonder what that would look like".

May the fish be with you,
David

If you are just looking for test materials go to a pawn shop and buy some old stuff from that them.

Wild River Dist sells a bundle of 10 very usable blanks for 59.00. Call them at 651-433-2217

If you are close to a rod manufacture stop by and ask them if you can purchase secounds..I have puchased $200.00 Pluse blanks at almost nothing and all that was wrong with them is a color blem. I also ask if I can get brocken butt sections to make reamers.
Good luck and always keep your line tight...Bob

go to yard, sales,look for rods sticking out of garbage cans on trash day, someone suggested pawn shops, ask your freinds for broken rods, If you are just making test sticks, there is no need to buy whole blanks, when you can get an old rod and strip it for free or nearly free, you would be amazed at the inventory of bits and peices you can collect, plus I have even gotten some half way decent reels this way