Couple of Fenwick builds

I’ve just finished the second build in a few weeks. I live close to mudhole and bought a 5’6” one piece rated for 2 to 6lb line. Liked the finished rod so much I went back and bought another in 6’. The first one I kept as light as possible within means and I believe it came in around two ounces. Used stainless guides with high frames and might have used more runner guides than most folks would but I like the way the line stays parallel to the rod. Casting is very good and it shoots wonderfully, I do a lot of that where I fish among the trash. I put a President XY with some 2lb unitika pe that was given to me and I love the stuff. Sensitivity is very good, above my expectations.

The six foot got different colors and another light approach and not quite as light as the other. Also one piece and 2-6lb rated, the coating is barely dry. I’m not going to show pics til later after the reel comes in. I bought a Daiwa Regal LT 1000S for it and I’m going to try the trout master uls on it, my first shallow spool reel and probably, knowing me, not my last. I’ll post more on it in a little while. Here’s the 5’6” pics.
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Good looking rod. Matches reel good. Nice setup. Looking forward to seeing the 6’ rod.

Very nice work on the rod. How hard or tedious is the finishing work on building a rod?

First off, I use D sized thread with A being the smallest. This makes it some easier and I’m not doing showpieces with intricate thread work. The finishing touches can be as simple or complex as you want to make them. Some things to know like prepping the guides. They come with a blunt end on the tip of the foot. A little grinding with a dremel cutoff wheel makes this a non issue. There’s lots of YouTube videos on how to do accent additions and about anything else and I urge you to watch them. It makes you more familiar with techniques and terminology. None of it’s real hard for me so far. Also know that some wraps are going to take more than one try. The smallest guide wrap on my fly rod, real small with size A thread, took me 9 tries. If your blood pressure gets up or you get frustrated then you walk away for a while. All that said, I really have fun doing them. If you can tie jigs then you can wrap a rod.

Nice work. You have had me wanting to build one for the longest time now. I will have to dive in when time permits

DHL was good to me today and brought the reel for the new build. A Daiwa Regal 1000s and I spooled it up with some Varivas Twitchmaster VLS in 4lb. I want to go NOW!! The reel is smooth as butter just like my other one and looks and feels good in hand on the new rod. Now for the testing when I get a minute to get out. My first try with the VLS line, boy it’s small in diameter. Thanks for following and here’s a pic.
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Looks awesome! I bet I have over 6 of those Daiwa Regal 1000 reels now, each buttery smooth like you said. If I have any complaints it would be such a large spool. I don’t need 200 yds of line on my reels for crappie…lol.

Look at some of the latest Brent Allen Youtube videos of him and his dad slamming the Blugills and Redears on the Kissimmee river and you will want to go even more.

Yobuck, I’ve got it bad right now. I know where there’s a couple of beds that I’m having to sit on my hands over. I’d like to fish the K chain in good winds sometime. My little Jon boat gets challenged in windy stuff.

Thanks Dave. I’m pleased with em too, and this one has a shallow spool. The line I put on is tiny and it took 100m nicely. Which for me is good cuz I’ll break some off now and then. If you want to see one cast like no tomorrow, try some 3lb Nanofil and a 1/32 rooster tail. The 1/16 takes more thought cuz if you cast it without thinking it’ll be in the woods.

Where did you find a shallow spool for the regal 1000?

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Originally Posted by SuperDave336

Where did you find a shallow spool for the regal 1000?

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Maybe JDM version??


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Danny, I don’t think so. Looks identical to my other 1000.

Dave, I found it on eBay of all places. Took two weeks from Japan.

Great looking rod for sure Tim. Congrats on a very nice build.

Very nice projects. K chain is one of my favorites too. Lifelong memories from Lake K.

I’ve watched a few videos from the K chain but most are using worms and cane poles. You have to be smarter than what you’re working with, and I’m not smarter than a cane pole evidently. I lose more than I boat and get very frustrated. It does look like the holy grail for fish population though.

Very nice Tim!! Two things I've avoided are pouring plastics and building rods!!

It’s not for everyone Doug. Applying the finish is still a work in progress. Once it’s done right it changes functional to art. I think the one guy I recently watched was from Asava custom rods. His finish techniques are near perfect. His attention to detail is also very strong.

But it is fun and addicting. Seems we’ve heard that before.