Lake Norman Currents Magazine

Have you seen the Lake Norman Currents magazine? It’s a fairly new publication with articles and advertisements about Lake Norman area businesses and interesting people. The August issue just hit the stands, and on Page 67 you will find an article about me, and more specifically, my Build Your Own Fly Rod classes.

This is a free publication that you will find around town in stores, restaurants, and real estate offices. If you see one out there, pick it up. You’ll find lots of interesting articles about people and places around the lake.

My thanks to Todd, and Lori, for the opportunity to talk about what I do for an avocation.

Fly Rod Class Finished

We wrapped up another Build Your Own Fly Rod Class last night. Three students (two repeat offenders) all building a different rod. One student built on a nice SCIV 4wt 8′ 4 piece, a Father’s Day gift for his dad. Another builder finished a SCII 5wt 9′ 4 piece. The third, who already has a lot of fly rods, decided to build a two-piece spinning rod. A nice 6′6″ fast action 6-12 lb line weight with a split rear grip.

All three guys enjoyed themselves, and I know they will be getting a lot of use from their new rods. If you are interested in building your own rod, call me at 704-894-9729, or email me. One thing to remember; the reason for building your own fly rod is not to build it cheaper than you can buy one. Just like tying flies, it’s not a cost saving step, it’s an opportunity to be connected to fly fishing on a whole new level.

Here’s a few pictures from the class:

 

New Build Your Own Fly Rod Class Beginning

I have another “BYOFR” class scheduled to begin mid-May. I have some folks who want to build rods for gifts for their dads, because Father’s Day is fast approaching. If you or someone you know would like to get in the class, I have a few spots left. Classes are held to six students, so I can spend adequate time with each of them.

Classroom instruction is $75, and that includes a textbook that’s is yours to keep. Components fee is $100 plus the cost of the blank you choose. Blanks start around $75, and go up as high as you want. Blank choices range from Temple Fork Outfitters to St. Croix to Thomas & Thomas, with lots more choices in between.

Most students build a rod that ends up costing them about $300-$350, and they couldn’t buy the same rod any cheaper. Then they have the pleasure of catching fish on a rod they built. The goal here isn’t to build a rod cheap anyway. It’s to learn a craft or have a good time fishing with a handcrafted rod.

Interested? Give me a call or email me.

Build your Own Fly Rod Class Done!

Last night my students completed their fly rods, applying Threadmaster rod wrap finish to the wraps they learned to do over the past three weeks. Each one built on a St. Croix SCIV four piece blank, fast action 4 weight. One was 8′, one 9′, and one 10′ long.

These guys were excited at the thought of catching that 20 incher on a fly they tied, attached to a rod they built. All they need to do now is learn to build a trout net, and it’s all them!

We’re scheduling another class for mid to late February. If you or someone you know would like to experience fishing on a rod you built, call or email me for dates. You’ll be glad you did!

Build Your Own Rod Class Scheduled

If you’ve been thinking about building your own fly rod, or a bass rod for that matter, January may be your next best opportunity. Madison River Outfitters in Cornelius is hosting another rod building class in January. There are already three students, and room for a few more. Email me or call me for more information. You can have a quality fly rod you built yourself in three evenings over a three week period.

Meet the Instructor

Let me know when you’re ready to learn how to build your own fly rod.

Fly Tiers: Listen Up!

If you enjoy catching fish on flies you tied yourself, then why not take it to the next level? How about catching a fish on a fly you tied, attached to a handcrafted fly rod you built yourself?

Sound hard? Not so. In three evenings over a three week period, you can learn about the mechanics of fly rod structure, the science of guide placement, and build a quality fly fishing tool that you will be proud to cast. And you can do it for no more than what you would pay for a quality fly rod at your local retailer.

Check out the Build Your Own Fly Rod page for all the details.