OK....I opted for the medium brown colored thread.

So far, I've glued up the insert/seat, cork and winding check. I've wrapped the hook keeper also. The winding check is from Joel Lemke also and matches the knurling pattern of the seat hardware. I patina'ed it with M38 to match the hardware. The English bronze hook keeper I acquired in a trade from Don. (Thanks Don!)

Here is a pic of my sophisticated wrapping station. Just goes to show you don't really need any fancy equipment!! The small strips of masking tape are measuring marks that I'm thinking of doing at 12", 16" and 20".




Here's the glued up handle assembly. I expect to do the "Don and Gene" treatment to the cork when I'm done wrapping to darken the cork just slightly.



The hook keeper and winding check detail. I think the colors match pretty well....especially in the sun.



I'm taking my time....but I'm hoping to complete it by Sunday, and fish it next week.

Rod is done......(finally).....

We had some serious thumder storms in Northern TN yesterday that kept me off the water and fried my home computer.

So no pics of the rod or with fish until later.....

David

Can't wait to see the finished rod. I really like the grip. I just orderd some cork rings from mudhole. I got some spotted cork and burl so I can build up something simular.

Thanks.

The seat hardware is from Joel Lemke. It's actually plated aluminum, so you get the great looks of NS with the weight savings of AL.

I used Birchwood Casey M38 to patina the silver to the darker tones in the picture.

Be sure to post up pictures of the burl that you turn!

David