FlyAnglers.org

Follow Mark Wendt as He Builds the Gilmore Rod

After studying the process for years (since Howell first published "The Lovely Reed"), I've come to the conclusion that becoming a rod maker takes three things: money, time and courage. We're all limited on the first two, so that places a heavy emphasis on courage. This series of articles will document the process Mark Wendt follows and may possibly give you that nudge of courage you've been lacking to get you over the edge. Or, it may just give you a greater appreciation  for the amazing craftsmenship displayed by these luddites who still think the best rods are made by hand tools from a foreign grass.

 The Gilmore Rod

Each year at the Gathering of the Clan (GOTC), the attendees hold an auction of good and services donated by generous souls for the benefit of Casting for Recovery (CFR). At the 2007 Gathering, Mark Wendt donated a bamboo fly rod, handcrafted to the winning bidders specification.

Doug Gilmore was the winning bidder. Money was donated, glasses were raised and the auction was a success, but now the work was about to begin for Mark.

The Process - Do You Have the Courage?

Mark has not only spent many hours making the rod of a lifetime for Mr. Gilmore, but he's taken the time to give us a blow-by-blow description as he goes. I hope you enjoy the series and I hope it gives you the courage to take the plunge.

Mark's commentary as he leads us through his process:  

I thought that as I went along with the making of Doug's CFR cane rod that I'd do a little pictorial along with some pertinent comments as I progressed. As most of you know, Doug ended up being the high bidder on the rod that I donated to the auction for Casting for Recovery at this year's GOTC in North Carolina. I told Greg when he was setting up the auction that I'd donate a rod like I'd done in the past, with a twist. This year, the winner of the bidding could select any taper he/she desired, as long as it was 8' or less, and I'd make a two tip version of the taper for him/her. Doug graciously bid the highest, and decided he'd like to have me use the Dickerson 8013 taper for his rod. This is an 8' 2 piece/2 tip rod, originally designed by Lyle Dickerson from the great state of Michigan, and is probably one of the best 5 wt cane rod tapers out there. He also desired the rod to be flamed, with blued hardware.

Step 1 - Flaming

I finally had the chance to get out and work in the shop this past week, and dove into the initial work for Doug's rod. I picked out a nice culm, and began the flaming process.

I finished up flaming the rod, trying to get a nice tone on the flaming. The darkness you see is caused by the enamel being burnt, but the cane underneath won't be anywhere near as dark.

Next: Splitting the Culm

Prev - Next >>