So I finished up wrapping my rod with the 27x method, which seemed to me to leave my size 25 stripper a bit distant from the reel. The reel had a 43 mm spool lip, which is why I chose the 25. Anyhow, because it was so far from the reel, I decided to do a static line test. The reel will hold 8 lb line, so I went with a 3 lb weight, which exceeds the 1/3 rule for drag. I tied a line to the tip with a clinch knot and a weight with a square knot. Some of you probably see where this is going by now. Anyways I ran the line from the reel through the guides and tied on a 1/2 oz sinker. I slowly lifted the 3 lbs weight off the ground and started to asses the line flow.

Then the line slipped the knot at the 3 lb weight, and the rod shot straight up. The release sent me back a step or 2 and the rod into the ceiling fan. The ceiling fan threw the rod into my face and a guide into my forehead. The rod got dropped as my hands went to my face, and quickly filled with blood. Fellas, it was a stream, not a drip, of blood pouring out of my forehead. Apparently head wounds bleed profusely.

The whole thing is kinda funny, because I am a bit prone to bad luck. If you can injure yourself doing something, I will figure out how. I can't fly when I'm injured, so I decided to quit doing risky activities for awhile. I broke a hand mountain biking, and got hit by a car on my motorcycle. A guy I work with told me, "stick to building fishing rods, I'm sure you can't get hurt doing that." Well I sure showed him.

Anyways, if you are doing a static line test, do yourself a favor and make sure you tie a good knot for the line you are using. And for goodness' sake, turn off he ceiling fan!

Randy, I feel your pain.

I have a rod holder bolted to a concrete wall outside. I tie a nylon cord through the braced part of the tip top. I tie a carabiner clip on the other end and clip it to the handle on a bucket. I use a bowline knot. I zip tie a garden hose to the bucket handle and add water so I can load the blank in fine increments. Ideally you want a system where you can load the blank without having to be near it. Things can get can messy if you load a blank to failure. I wouldn't advise being near one if I could avoid it.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

I may take a play from your book. I gotta have something safer than that. I'm lucky that guide didn't slam into my eye.

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Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 09/20/2016 04:36PM by John E Powell.

Oh my gosh, that is awful. I guess I am not the only one. I tell ya what, though, as I was at work around other people this morning, I couldn't help laugh at myself as I played the events over in my head over and over. So far no one has asked, but I'm sure its coming!

Got to be more careful Randy
If I find the rod is too stiff to ( safely ) get it to 90 degrees I bend it to as fare as I think to be safe
The lucky part it did not get an eye like you said

Bill - willierods.com

I am glad you weren't hurt worse Randy.
My last static line test ended up with a hole in my living room ceiling when the line on an old reel I used to simulate the new reel which had not arrived yet turned out to be dry rotted .. When the wife saw it I just said "Don't ask".

I can't believe nobody asked the most important question about your travesty. How is the rod holding up. ;~)

Ha ha Mike, believe it or it I couldn't find a single indication that there is any damage to the blank at all. I was utterly shocked.

Randy Weakley Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ha ha Mike, believe it or it I couldn't find a
> single indication that there is any damage to the
> blank at all. I was utterly shocked.

LOL.....apparently graphite is harder than your head Randy! ;)

Joe, I'm pretty surethere is a dent in my ceiling too....luckily it didn't penetrate. Should be able to plaster it up.

The plaster will not work on the hole in the head -- LOL

Did you have to get stitches

Bill - willierods.com

No stitches. I think once my heart rate slowed and I kept steady press on it, it stopped on its own. Still sore tho!

Still when I read your post on how it happened --- I had to chuckle

Bill - willierods.com