It's time to start the 2008 rods

I can't take it anymore. Got to start another rod. I've been carrying a list of honey dos around in my pocket for two months. The deal was that they all had to be done before I could start another rod. I've had all but one marked off for a couple weeks but as soon as I get that one done another one is added to the list. Enough is enough. It's time to build a rod!

To be totally fair about the honey do thing, I sneaked in a little shop time over Thanksgiving. I bought a used 7x12 metal lathe at SRG. Been using a Sherline 4000. It gets the job done but I've done several work arounds in the process. Still plan to use the Sherline to make ferrules. Most other stuff will be done on the 7x12. It needed a major tune up. If you've got a mini lathe sitting in the garage that needs a tune up, here's a link to some helpful instructions. Had to adjust and grease the gibs, adjust the backlash on the cross slide, tighten the saddle, adjust the motor and drive belt and grease the head stock. It's better than new now. Well...it does have a little bearing vibration in the head stock at about two thirds throttle. But the run out doesn't seem to be noticeable if there is any.

Now...it's time to split some cane. Deciding what to build next is probably the most stressful part of the process for me. I've been thinking about it for weeks. I need to build a couple rods for the Montana boys. But an 8ft 6wt would be really nice to have around the house. And then there's the standard tapers that evolved out of the taper research in previous posts. So what to do? Finally decided today. Going to start on four rods this winter. A standard taper number two 7.5ft 5wt 2pc for Terre and the same taper in an 8ft 6wt 2pc for Kyle. That takes care of the Montana boys. I'll make two of each rod and keep a couple around the house. They're all going to be blond rods. Not sure about the wraps yet. I really like the bubble gum wraps on number 9. The java brown was pretty cool on number 8. Decisions...decisions...

Update: Exchanged a few e-mails with Kyle and Terre. They've opted for a couple 7ft 4wt rods. Looks like I'm going to have enough strips roughed in for 6 rods. That's going to keep me busy for a year or two.