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Pile "O" Parts: The end result

1/18/2012

This is what came out of that Pile "O" Parts in the last entry. Turned the reel seat handle out of a chunk of Olive wood. Went with a simple cork handle, custom hook keeper, and white alignment dots. The guide wraps are Garnet with Color Preserver. Stayed fairly conservative with the Pink. Used the Pink for the two turn trim wraps and three turn alternating wraps on the stripping guide. I really hope the Casting for Recovery participant enjoys it.

Please support CFR in any way you can. Thank you.

Until next time my friends,
Pete

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Pile "O" Parts

1/11/2012

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Thought I would give you a look at how some custom builders start a build. In this case this is a graphite rod to be donated to the Southern California chapter of "Casting for Recovery" (CFR) So there will be some pink highlights on the rod. Basically we start with the blank, guides, tip top, cork, seat hardware, winding check and in this case a chunk of Olive.

A custom handle will be made by gluing up different types of cork. The Olive wood will be turning down for the reel seat insert. Unfortunately I will not be machining any wedding band hardware for this rod. For 4 weight rods and up I usually go with locking hardware, up-locking in this case.

The goal on this rod is to not let the pink highlights overwhelm the rod. To quote a breast cancer survivor "If I ever get another pink item, I think I will scream". Hearing her say that prompted me to tone down my urge to build a PINK rod. Too much of something is not always a good thing.

Check back in a couple of weeks to see how the "Casting for Recovery" rod turns out. And please support CFR in any way you can. The Southern California chapter of CFR is just getting set to fire up in 2012. The survivors needs all the support they can get. Check em out at: http://castingforrecovery.org/wordpress/?page_id=5519.

Until next time my friends,
Pete

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Custom Nets- True Works of Art

1/5/2012

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Some things in life and fly fishing, you just want to keep to your self. Well.... Sierra Nets isn't one of them. Greg makes the most beautiful landing nets around. Each one is a work of art and should probably be displayed as art instead of getting fish slime all over it. But, as with any prime fishing equipment, it needs to be used for its intended purpose.

Greg has recently been featured in "Western Outdoor News" If you can't get a copy of it check out writer Jim Matthews web site for the write up.
http://www.outdoornewsservice.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=311:these-functional-fishing-nets-are-also-pieces-of-art&Itemid=18

Its good to see an artisan of Greg's calibur get the recognition he so justly deserves. Check out Greg's web site and get on his waiting list. Like a fine Bamboo rod, Greg's nets are heirloons that will surely be passed down thru the generations. http://www.sierra-nets.com/CMS-Sierra/

Until next time my friends,
Pete

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The Studio

1/2/2012

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Thought I would start the new year off right and give you a quick look at the home of "Renaissance Rods" . I don't consider it a shop, I consider it a studio. I feel that myself and many other custom rod builders are Artisans, not just rod assemblers. So I dubbed it "The Studio".

I was fortnuately able to keep much of the old lumber from a late 1800s constructed building I dismantled for a friend. That lumber went into "The Studio" giving it instant character. It was a great project for me. I was able to build the entire shop, including the pine cabinets, without any assistance, so I can really call her my own.

"The Studio" has one purpose and that is to be devoted entirely to fly fishing. When not building rods, the studio is used for fly tying. As I told the wife "Fly fishing only, no household storage and no girly curtains on the windows."

Thanks for checking out "The Studio". If you are ever on the Central Coast of California, shoot me an e-mail and stop by for a tour and a cold beverage

Until next time my friends,
Pete

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Pile "O" Parts: The end result

Pile "O" Parts

Custom Nets- True Works of Art

The Studio

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