1st Rod Done

Recently finished my rod.  It took me almost a year and few mistakes.  The following pictures show my first rod.  It is a 7'10" 3 piece - 2 tip rod with a bag and an aluminum tube.  When I finsihed the last coat of varnish I knew that I couldn't just get any accessories to go along with it, but had to get the right one's for the job.  In the light of getting the right stuff for the job, I got a classic reel and new line (turned out to be a 6 wt. rod) to go along with the new rod.

Hardy Bougle MKVII 3 1/4" Reel

As any new rodmaker will attest this was a long journey to a completed project that could have fallen off the rails at any time.  The mistakes that I made include a long list, that just wont be important in a couple more years and a few more rods.

And since no rod is truly done until it catches a fish I had to go.  But not any fish would do for the rod, but a cutthroat from the alluvial fan in RMNP.

 Don't they look good together? Like the proper spacing of well used tools in the shop when everything has its place or the satisfaction from people who live together easily with little friction.  A fish, rod and reel are the perfect afternoon.