All posts by admin

Custom Rod Building, Spinning Rods

Rainshadow IF1082-2 Spin Rod

This rod is rather simple, and can hardly be considered a “true” custom job, however, I feel as if it is important to be able to fit all needs in a rod for someone, and any rod builder that is in it for customer satisfaction will do their fair share of simple assembly rods, rods that perform, however do not break the bank or give a misgiving feeling about getting it dirty.  This rod features a Rainshadow RX7 Salmon Steelhead spin rod blank, with a 12 inch natural rear cork handle, EVA butt cap, size 17 Spin Seat, and 3.5 inch natural cork foregrip.  Thread is Pro-Wrap Steel Forged with silver trim, guides are ALPS BYAG spin guides.  I crafted this rod after a special friend who is a delegate of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, and with my assistance was able to catch his first steelhead in Erie.  His equipment was out-dated and not suited for the rigors of steelhead fishing, so I was employed to help him out with a simple piece of equipment simply meant to get the job done.  My favorite kind of rod.

Custom Rod Building, Spinning Rods

XST1263-F Steelhead Rod

Video

This is a Rainshadow XST1263-F 10’6” 8-12 lb Steelhead/Salmon rod for fishing all around the great lakes.  Able to put the brakes on a strong steelhead and on the same token able to man handle a king salmon, this high-caliber rod is an all time favorite here.  When fishing around people or streams with a lot of cover, it makes it impossible to be able to land fish on a softer action rod.  This particular customer does not waste time fighting fish for long periods, and needed something able to take a beating and still perform.  The XST1263 meets that bill accordingly.  The thread is Gudebrod Nylon Gunmetal with Black and Silver Trim, Guides are ALPS XTCYTCG finishing out with the single foot fly guides, Handle is a mixture of light burnt mix, burnt, Natural, and gray and black EVA sheets creating a very unique appearance.  If you are looking for the ultimate fish stopper, look no further.

To see the power capability of this rod check out this video!!

Custom Rod Building, Fly Rods

Forecast F662-4

This is a custom fly rod built on a Forecast F662-4 6’6” 4 pc 2 WT blank from Batson Enterprises.  This blank might perhaps be one of the best small stream blanks out there for fishing around the many small mountain streams in the Laurel Highlands and elsewhere.  The thread is Gudebrod Royal Blue with Pac Bay azul and chrome trim.  Reel Seat is RA-7 Hardware coupled with Custom Turned Black Big Leaf Maple Burl.  Handle is natural flor cork with blue burl accents to match the blank and wraps.  Stripping guides are ALPS XLXNLG, with Forecast Light Wire Guides and Forecast Tip Top and folding hook keeper.

Custom Rod Building, Fly Rods

Forecast F907-4

This rod was built on a Forecast F907-4 9′ 7 WT 4 pc blank from Batson Enterprises.  This rod was built as a nymphing rod for fishing many popular tributaries of Steelhead Alley.  The shorter length allows for close quarter casts in small streams, but doesn’t lack enough power to fish larger water either.  The handle and fighting butt is comprised of a mix of rubberized and natural cork, reel seat insert is custom turned Blue Box Elder Burl matched with RA-7 hardware.  Thread is pro wrap blurple and azul pac bay trim, which exhibits a wonderful color in natural light against the purple/blue hue of the blank.  Guides are Forecast BUD guides matched with ALPS XTCSFGP single foot guides, finished with an oversize tip top to prevent ice up in winter fishing conditions.

Centerpin Rods, Custom Rod Building

Dan Craft FT1003-4

This rod inquiry came from Eastern New York from a customer looking to do some trophy stream trout fishing with a float/centerpin setup.  A 4 pc fly blank was selected  because of length and action, and also because of it’s ease of a pack-ability if on a long day trip.  Dan Craft Enterprises was called upon for this job because of his odd-ball blank selection offered, filling the blanks of most rod models people wish were available.  This rod features a custom turned spalted maple reel seat using a stabilized wood piece from reel seat blanks.  The fighting butt is spalted maple with composite cork on the bottom for durability.   Handle is entirely composed of custom turned burl block cork treated with Teak Oil to darken the grain.   Forecast RA-7 Hardware was selected to fit the Milner River Wraithe reel.  Guides start out as Fuji TYSG followed by REC wire guides up to and including the tip to preserve lightness.  Wraps are Pro Wrap forged steel and gunmetal to match the blue characteristics of the Milner reel.

Centerpin Rods, Custom Rod Building

Rainshadow XST1382-F Centerpin Float Rod

This rod was built for specifically fishing in Steelhead Alley, mainly in larger Pennsylvania tributaries such as Elk Creek.  This blank is the perfect medium for an all around float and centerpin rod that can handle any steelhead encountered in the surrounding area.  This rod features a burl block and rubberized cork schematic, with an inletted fighting butt for balance, RA-8 reel seat with black carbon fiber insert, and ALPS Y guides, a very popular and quality guide offered at a reasonable price.  Thread is gudebrod gunmetal and black with metallic silver trim wraps with additional ferrule decal, and three coats of threadmaster lite on the finish.

Centerpin Rods, Custom Rod Building

CTS FF1503-3

This is a CTS 3 PC 15′ FF1503-3 4-8 lb Centerpin/Float Rod.  Designed in New Zealand and received via Canada, this blank was selected after a careful consulting process for a prospecting customer.  Looking to target fall and winter steelhead on the Salmon River, this rod was asked to be the perfect balance of simplicity and durability while maintaining a lightweight profile.  In order to meet these needs the Fuji TYSG Spin Guides in the concept arrangement up to and including the tip top were selected, along with a complete flor-grade natural cork handle with Fuji graphite spin seat.  A Struble black winding check was selected to match the Gudebrod black NCP wraps, which minimized toward the end.  Coupled with the Forecast aluminum fighting butt to balance out the naturally tip heavy blank resulted in a very low profile, light build for a rod of this caliber.

Centerpin Rods, Custom Rod Building

Rainshadow IF1087-4 4 PC Centerpin/Float

This is a 4 piece centerpin/spin/float application that was built on a 4 PC, 10’8” Switch Rod Blank from Batson Enterprises. The 4 PC was requested for travel to Idaho for steelhead, and fitting the bill between both applications determined the selection of the 4 piece Switch Rod Blank. The handle is natural cork with burnt accents, reel seat is an ALPS TRI size 12, Batson LTC winding check, Gudebrod Black and Olive no CP with chrome metallic trim, ALPS Y guides and ALPS single foot fly guides up to and including the tip top.

Centerpin Rods, Custom Rod Building

Rainshadow XST1382-F

This rod was built for a customer residing in Michigan that is splitting it’s use between Fall and Spring run steelhead on the Muskegon and Pere Marquette, and also making the travel for frequent weekend getaways to Alaska targeting drop-back rainbows on beads off a drift boat.  He explained to me his needs and expressed his want to make this rod unique.  Fitted with a custom turned 45-degree cut burl block and rubberized cork handle, it also sports an ALPS TRI size 12 reel seat with inletted fighting butt for balance.  Guides are entirely comprised of the popular Fuji TYSG concept guides with a main guide as a tip for smooth line flow.  Thread is Pac-Bay Purple Mixed with Gudebrod charcoal and green metallic inlays.  Finish is threadmaster lite in three applications.