I was initially gonna build a Finesse 1wt (that'll be a separate post) first but after buying all the components and committing to building/buying some tools, I thought I'd start with a cheaper guinea pig. I wanted to keep it as cheap as possible, so I went with the white Angler's Roost glass 3wt blank, Landmark black Springwater w/cork spacer. I did spring for Perfection guides but turned the grip myself. Around 60 bucks in all.
This first one actually turned out better than my second build would. I built this one and the Finesse in the same 2wks right before a CO trip so this one was a little less rushed. The grip is a bit fatter than I planned but overall I think it's a respectable little rod. I figured I'd just go all in on this post so there's probably parts that are old hat for some people, but since there's so much interest in glass blanks I hope it's helpful.
As far as the rod goes, it feels so light that it almost is difficult to get used to. It feels like a combination of a graphite and a glass. It's tippy with a strong lower half. I'm putting it at a solid 4wt but very fast taper. Actually it's like a heavy 2wt in the top half, but a 5 weight in the bottom. The blank was in pretty good shape and seemed easy enough to build on and I think it'll make a good pond bass rod. Definitely not ideal on a small trout stream but it can lift some line if need be. Not much of a rollcaster.
Specs:
Blank: 1.44 oz
Seat: 0.19 oz
Grip: 0.5 oz
Black Perfection guides
Medium Brown wraps
Total finished weight: 2.3 oz
Testing colors
After cutting off the butt and inserting a smaller one to fit inside the spacer
Nice snug fit, so no winding check
First wraps
Finished first wrap
Finished rod:
Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2016 11:25 pm • 
