Fly Rod Handcrafted Bamboo - 7.5 ‘, 2 Piece, 2Tips, 4 Weight with Wood Case
A Goodwin Granger Special 7642 Taper, 7.5’, two piece (two tips), 4 weight. This is one of my favorite casting tapers. Although based on a production rod, it still is one of the best small streams, dry fly rods (my opinion), that can still cast a small streamer or indicator/nymph rig when needed. I have a Granger 7’ I made I use all the time at a small Missouri spring creek where there are small mayfly hatches. It casts very similar to this rod. Granger made great casting rods (again my opinion) and that is why I often return to building and fishing them.
I do all my own work. Strip, plane and glue the Tonkin bamboo and cut and turn the handle and reel seat insert. I try my best to flame, press and stagger the nodes The handle and reel seat are made from the same piece of walnut and have multiple coats of tru-oil. I think sometimes people turn away from bamboo with wooden handles because of the weight, but this handle is only .5 ounces heavier than a similar sized cork handle (see photos). The total weight of the rod is 3.8 ounces, under 4 ounces! (see photo). You can fish this all day!.
The reel seat hardware is “antique gold” and is down-locking. I have always been a fan of down-reel seats on smaller weight rods as they seem to balance better. The “antique gold” is more bronze (to me) and blends beautifully with the reel seat insert and handle. I went with some pop for the winding check – gold. I was a little apprehensive about using blue zebra-jasper thread, but not any longer. Love the look. I use D size thread, a little larger than some use, but you can just see the zebra black in there. Look close at the guides, I am a pretty good wrapper of thread if I do say so myself.
I prefer to tru-oil my rods (the same oil used on gun stocks) and this rod has 6 coats. I used to dip the rods in spar varnish, but am happier with the thinner, cleaner look of tru-oil. Also, if you use the rod a lot, it is very easy to add more tru-oil to freshen it up.
I like my ferrules to fit easily together so lap them to do so. If fitted too tight, over time they will tighten up with use (dirt, grime etc.) and became a problem. Mine should not do that. There is a small pop when you separate the ferrules.
I built the hex case out of walnut. I CNC’d the rod information on the case with a fish and fly decoration. I even sewed the rod sock, although I do need some work in this area still😊 Everything is included.
With inflation, the cost of materials and shipping has increased substantially resulting in higher prices for everything. I am not immune from this when building a rod. Two years ago, I would have considered this price high, but not now unfortunately. If you are looking for a beautiful, great casting bamboo rod at a reasonable price, this might be it. I have been crafting fiberglass and graphite rods and building bamboo rods for some time, but still consider myself a hobbyist (albeit a good one). I want you to be completely happy with your rod. If you do not like it for any reason, I accept returns within 30 days of you receiving it. Just let me know and I will make a refund and you pay to send it back. This is low risk for you, you can look at the rod to make sure it is what you want. After 30 days I will be happy to try to address any issues you might have with the rod.
Thanks for looking. Tim
A Goodwin Granger Special 7642 Taper, 7.5’, two piece (two tips), 4 weight. This is one of my favorite casting tapers. Although based on a production rod, it still is one of the best small streams, dry fly rods (my opinion), that can still cast a small streamer or indicator/nymph rig when needed. I have a Granger 7’ I made I use all the time at a small Missouri spring creek where there are small mayfly hatches. It casts very similar to this rod. Granger made great casting rods (again my opinion) and that is why I often return to building and fishing them.
I do all my own work. Strip, plane and glue the Tonkin bamboo and cut and turn the handle and reel seat insert. I try my best to flame, press and stagger the nodes The handle and reel seat are made from the same piece of walnut and have multiple coats of tru-oil. I think sometimes people turn away from bamboo with wooden handles because of the weight, but this handle is only .5 ounces heavier than a similar sized cork handle (see photos). The total weight of the rod is 3.8 ounces, under 4 ounces! (see photo). You can fish this all day!.
The reel seat hardware is “antique gold” and is down-locking. I have always been a fan of down-reel seats on smaller weight rods as they seem to balance better. The “antique gold” is more bronze (to me) and blends beautifully with the reel seat insert and handle. I went with some pop for the winding check – gold. I was a little apprehensive about using blue zebra-jasper thread, but not any longer. Love the look. I use D size thread, a little larger than some use, but you can just see the zebra black in there. Look close at the guides, I am a pretty good wrapper of thread if I do say so myself.
I prefer to tru-oil my rods (the same oil used on gun stocks) and this rod has 6 coats. I used to dip the rods in spar varnish, but am happier with the thinner, cleaner look of tru-oil. Also, if you use the rod a lot, it is very easy to add more tru-oil to freshen it up.
I like my ferrules to fit easily together so lap them to do so. If fitted too tight, over time they will tighten up with use (dirt, grime etc.) and became a problem. Mine should not do that. There is a small pop when you separate the ferrules.
I built the hex case out of walnut. I CNC’d the rod information on the case with a fish and fly decoration. I even sewed the rod sock, although I do need some work in this area still😊 Everything is included.
With inflation, the cost of materials and shipping has increased substantially resulting in higher prices for everything. I am not immune from this when building a rod. Two years ago, I would have considered this price high, but not now unfortunately. If you are looking for a beautiful, great casting bamboo rod at a reasonable price, this might be it. I have been crafting fiberglass and graphite rods and building bamboo rods for some time, but still consider myself a hobbyist (albeit a good one). I want you to be completely happy with your rod. If you do not like it for any reason, I accept returns within 30 days of you receiving it. Just let me know and I will make a refund and you pay to send it back. This is low risk for you, you can look at the rod to make sure it is what you want. After 30 days I will be happy to try to address any issues you might have with the rod.
Thanks for looking. Tim
A Goodwin Granger Special 7642 Taper, 7.5’, two piece (two tips), 4 weight. This is one of my favorite casting tapers. Although based on a production rod, it still is one of the best small streams, dry fly rods (my opinion), that can still cast a small streamer or indicator/nymph rig when needed. I have a Granger 7’ I made I use all the time at a small Missouri spring creek where there are small mayfly hatches. It casts very similar to this rod. Granger made great casting rods (again my opinion) and that is why I often return to building and fishing them.
I do all my own work. Strip, plane and glue the Tonkin bamboo and cut and turn the handle and reel seat insert. I try my best to flame, press and stagger the nodes The handle and reel seat are made from the same piece of walnut and have multiple coats of tru-oil. I think sometimes people turn away from bamboo with wooden handles because of the weight, but this handle is only .5 ounces heavier than a similar sized cork handle (see photos). The total weight of the rod is 3.8 ounces, under 4 ounces! (see photo). You can fish this all day!.
The reel seat hardware is “antique gold” and is down-locking. I have always been a fan of down-reel seats on smaller weight rods as they seem to balance better. The “antique gold” is more bronze (to me) and blends beautifully with the reel seat insert and handle. I went with some pop for the winding check – gold. I was a little apprehensive about using blue zebra-jasper thread, but not any longer. Love the look. I use D size thread, a little larger than some use, but you can just see the zebra black in there. Look close at the guides, I am a pretty good wrapper of thread if I do say so myself.
I prefer to tru-oil my rods (the same oil used on gun stocks) and this rod has 6 coats. I used to dip the rods in spar varnish, but am happier with the thinner, cleaner look of tru-oil. Also, if you use the rod a lot, it is very easy to add more tru-oil to freshen it up.
I like my ferrules to fit easily together so lap them to do so. If fitted too tight, over time they will tighten up with use (dirt, grime etc.) and became a problem. Mine should not do that. There is a small pop when you separate the ferrules.
I built the hex case out of walnut. I CNC’d the rod information on the case with a fish and fly decoration. I even sewed the rod sock, although I do need some work in this area still😊 Everything is included.
With inflation, the cost of materials and shipping has increased substantially resulting in higher prices for everything. I am not immune from this when building a rod. Two years ago, I would have considered this price high, but not now unfortunately. If you are looking for a beautiful, great casting bamboo rod at a reasonable price, this might be it. I have been crafting fiberglass and graphite rods and building bamboo rods for some time, but still consider myself a hobbyist (albeit a good one). I want you to be completely happy with your rod. If you do not like it for any reason, I accept returns within 30 days of you receiving it. Just let me know and I will make a refund and you pay to send it back. This is low risk for you, you can look at the rod to make sure it is what you want. After 30 days I will be happy to try to address any issues you might have with the rod.
Thanks for looking. Tim
