Boy, do we have classes: free fly casting, fly tying and, yes, rod building too! Our Rod Building class is offered in October (contact me for possible openings) and is taught by one of the best, Master Rod Builder Duaine Berger. There will be an important Orientation meeting on Wednesday, September 15 to explain what materials will be needed and the class will begin Wednesday, October 6 and continue for four weeks. The class will be held ar Charlles Brittain/Mountain Aire, 12863 San Fernando Rd., Sylmar . All meetings begin at 7 pm. The class is free to club members but enrollement is limited. Interested? Contact me, your loyal Education Chairman, Steve Ebersold.

Rod Class Syllabus

COMPONENTS, SUPPLIES, AND TOOLS

The class is taught by Duaine Berger. A materials list will be sent to all students at least a month before the first class begins. Fly rod blanks, rod components, and some of the rod building supplies and tools are available through better fly fishing tackle shops and mail order catalog houses which advertise in fishing magazines. Some of the equipment may be out of stock or require special order. This should be taken into account so that all the rod building material is available for the class's first meeting. To understand and learn about the variety and quality of rod building components, closely examine existing rods, rod component catalogs and talk to knowledgeable rod builders or tackle supply salespeople.

THE ROD BLANK

Selection of the fly rod blank is the most critical part of building your rod. The blank determines the performance of your finished rod. You must objectively evaluate your casting style to determine the rod action that best suits your fishing requirements. The "action" of a fly rod can be classified as either slow, moderate, or fast. Determining the action of a particular rod is somewhat subjective. Rod action can be considered the relationship between the flex of the rod tip to the flex of the rod butt when the rod is under stress, that is, when the rod is casting a fly line. Simply put, a fast action rod typically has a stiff butt section. A slow action rod typically has a soft or more easily flexed butt section. The moderate action rod is somewhere between the two extremes. In choosing the right blank you should consider the following points: You need to analyze your casting stroke and the type of fishing for which you will use the rod. If you throw a line with a wide loop or for short to moderate distances (or a combination of the two), a softer-butted, slower action rod would be more appropriate to your needs. Slow action rods have a special advantage with weighted flies and sinking lines (or both). A wider loop is needed when throwing this equipment. Fast action rods tend to throw tighter loops, which are useful for distance casting and casting into the wind. Moderate action rods do it all well and are a safe compromise. understand, a fast action rod does not make you a better caster, only three things make you a better caster: practice, practice, and more practice.

Other considerations to take into account when selecting a rod blank are short rods, long rods, multi-piece rods, and light weight rods and the effect these rods have on how line is cast and flys presented. What you must also consider is that if you have not made a rod before, your first at rod building may have mistakes that will effect its ultimate appearance. However, these flaws, if any, should not effect the rod's action or functionality. So, choose your rod blank with care and deliberation.

COMPONENTS

Handle Assembly
Reel Seat Skeleton
Wood Spacer (common to exotic)
Cork Handle (handle depends on size & function of rod)
Guides and Tip Top (match manufacturer or one size larger)
Hook Keeper
Winding Check

SUPPLIES

Masking Tape, 34 inch
Epoxy Glue
FlexCoat or Special Rod-Building Epoxy
Quick Set Epoxy
Sand Paper (course 80; medium 100, 150; fine 220, 320, 420
Mixing Cups or Aluminum Foil
Wood Glue
Thread Size A, use subtle colors or match color of rod manufacturer
Metallic trim thread (optional)

TOOLS

Brushes (to paint on epoxy)
Methyl-Ethyl-Ketone
5X Tippet
Files (rat tail, small and medium diameter)
China Marker
12' Tape Measure
6" Machinist Ruler
Xacto Knife
Scissors
Burnisher
Propane Torch
Dremel (optional)
Hand Drill or Wood Lath
Grinding Wheel & Sharpening Stone
Rod Wrapping Jig
Rod Drying Jig

SPECIAL

Ink and Inking Pen
WeldWood Plastic Resin Glue

CLASS LOCATION

Fisherman's Spot
14411 Burbank Blvd.

Van Nuys, CA 91401
818.785.7306

SOURCES

Fisherman's Spot
818.785.7306
Blanks, components, and supplies

Mariotts
800.543.0282
Blanks, components, and supplies
Extensive catalog

Cabela's
800.237.4444
Blanks,components, and supplies
Call for catalog

Anglers Workshop
360.255.9445
Call for rod-builders catalog

Dale Clemens
610.395.5119
Call for catalog.