Here at Flex Coat we want to do a little research and know why you build rods.

So, why do you build rods?

Flex Coat Company
Professional Rod Building Supplies
www.flexcoat.com

The creative processes, especially the arts and crafts, have always held a fascination for me. It's why I get up in the morning and go to a job where I can share my passions and experiences with 125+ 12 and 13 year olds each day. Rodbuilding is how I vacation from all the administrivia that interferes with the creative aspects of my day, it's my therapy. Like fishing, rodbuilding helps me to keep a perspective about the important aspects of my life that I often tend to take for granted. Rodbuilding is one of my reality checks, It's helps me self actualize.

One might say "I create custom fishing rods, therefore I am."

Thinking back, I'd probably have to give credit to Dick Swan for sparking my interest in the craft.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/2014 01:37PM by John E Powell.

I like to work with my hands, I like to fish, and i like to learn.

Chris Richer
Iroquois ON

I started building rods so that I could get the exact rod that I wanted. Friends saw the rods I was making for myself, and over 40 years later I am still making them.

Nice, keep 'em coming...

Flex Coat Company
Professional Rod Building Supplies
www.flexcoat.com

Originally to save money. When that didn't pan out I just started focusing on making the exact rod I wanted. I like to be able to size the handles and grips to suit me. That really makes a rod better IMO.

I build because what I wanted wasn't available on the shelf and I got tired of paying someone else to build it for me.

I was given a custom rod by a friend in 1979, as it happened I knew the builder who said, "you can do this yourself". Then by a stroke of pure dumb luck as a printer I had a hand in producing the Dale Clemens catalog for several years.( I live about 25 miles from their former location). They graciously allowed me to purchase components at wholesale plus tax, even though I was just a hobby builder. I am forever indebted to them. I'll never forget hearing as I'd walk in the door some one yelling out " we got a walk in". Music to my ears! Dale and Lew Childre. God bless em'. John, You guys are right up there with them. Your products are great and your videos are down to earth and very imformative. You prove a person doesn't need anything elaborate to produce the best rod they ever fished with, and that gets a lot of people started. Thank you.

I Build rods for myself,my three boys and a few chosen friends. Like Ken it was originally to save money but I found that my desire for the best components soon out weighted any huge savings. Now it is just seeing the pleasure in ones eye when they are fishing with a rod that is designed just for them. It"s like tying flies. It's nice to catch a fish on something you created!

I wanted a specific rod configuration fine-tuned for my method of vertical jigging for crappies, but no such rod exists. I was talking to a custom rod builder about my dilemma and he said "just make your own!" So that's what I did and the satisfaction is incredible. There are so many ways to customize a rod and I want to try something new on every rod I build. Obviously I'm early in my rod building hobby.

John Shear
Chippewa Falls, WI

I was building rod for myself .because i can't find in the store what i want .I am fishing from the bank just with artificial,with long spinning rods(over 10' ),built by me on fly fishing blanks +extension.

I am not a really rod builder,but i was building a lot of rods witch give me a lot of satisfaction and catching a lot off nice fish(fresh water and saltwater),fishing most of the time with tinny braid(4 lb.) +fluorocarbon leader.

I was catching one red fish(C&R) 40 inch,23 lb.fishing on jig at ROLLOVER PASS,Bolivar Peninsula ,Texas with FIRELINE ORIGINAL SMOKE 4 lb.+14 lb. fluorocarbon leader and one small reel for panfish ABU-CARDINAL STAMINA DRAG 600U,ultra-lite reel for fresh water.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/17/2014 03:44PM by Jean Scurtu.

I like to adjust the guides on some factory rods I have. Also I like to build rods from time to time for family members.

I first started when I used a garcia flipping rod to jig blues and one of the guides broke. I had a hard time finding one guide but found a set at Hermans sporting goods. The rod looked rough but caught many fish. I then found a lamiglas honey steelhead blank and built my first rod from scratch.

Then the disease took full hold.

My wife signed me up for a rod building class years ago as a gift. Now I'm addicted. I love working with my hands and it's very satisfying to build a rod or tie a fly that catches fish.

I rebuild more rods than i make new one I start by wanting to do my favorite rod that i caught a lot of fish with and couldn't one that I liked to replace it with.Then I started rebuilding rod for my relative because to show them that i appreciated them letting me go fishing for free for the last 45 years on there party boats they pay for parts and labor is on me I did over 150 rods last winter. The rods I like to do the most is the ones that some one tell me that there grandfather or father use to take them fishing and gave them the rod and if it was fixed they would still use it. I just did an old octagon shape rod that the guy is putting an old reel on for his friend for a christmas gift.

3 YEARS AGO, I PAID A CUSTOM ROD BUILDER TO BUILD ME SOME SALMON, STEELHEAD RODS. AFTER DOING THE RESEARCH, I REALIZED I COULD PROBABLY TAKE A STAB AT BUILDING MY OWN RODS. NOW I AM ADDICTED AND BUILD FOR MYSELF, A FEW FRIENDS... I AVERAGE ABOUT 3 RODS A MONTH. I ALSO BUILD BEACUSE LANDING A FISH WITH A ROD CUSTOM BUILT BY MYSELF GIVE ME A FEELING LIKE NO OTHER...

As Don said, it's a lot like tying flies, which i've been doing for years - i can add or change it to my own wants and desires; i'm catching fish on something i made (or in this case, built); and there's nothing like handing one to someone who knows you made this for them and seeing the joy on their faces both when they get it and when they use it.

To me the ultimate experience is catching a fish on a rod I built and a fly I tied.

My name is Garry and I am a rod addict...I started with the idea of just replacing some damaged guides.

In order to get a feel for the tools and techniques, I order a couple of inexpensive Pac-Bay complete kits, for practice.

Once the practice rods and the repairs were finished, there were materials left over.

What the heck?
I might as well order parts for an Ultra Light rod and build it to my own specifications.

Of coarse, one rod inevitable leads to another, and another ...

It al started years ago when I trashed a few guides and couldn't find anyone to replace the guides. One thing lead to another and i found myself building custom rods and repairs for others.