Was challenged last fall to make longer one piece rod for spring creeks in the Driftless region. Well I had other things going on for a while but finally got around to making a few. First was an 8' 1 piece 4 weight hollow quad rod. I knew it would be a little challenging due to the length of the strips, but thought it is only four strips of bamboo so should be tolerable. Wow was I wrong. The flaming was the only thing that went easily on this rod. Splitting and beveling strips that were wide enough at the butt for the dimensions lead to a lot of work planing at the tips. Straightening strips was a pain. Setting planing forms 4 times to plane strips that are longer than the forms was fun. eventually it came together nicely and was very pleased with action. This rod eventually found its way to a friend. I mad a 2 piece 7'9" quad with most of the remaining culm. I then thought hey I have a enough strips left for another one piece...
Well I guess the first rod wasn't painful enough so I decided this time to make one even longer at 8'3" 4 weight hollow hex. The hex was easier to split and bevel. It was also easier to plane. But gluing a rod with .058 final dimension tip that was 102" long caused some concern going through the binder. then wrapping guides was another trying experience to wrap the guides while the weight of the rod is pulling hard the other direction. Ohh yeah I don't have a dipping tube that would fit a 8+ foot rod so hand rubbing finish on the rod was another learning experience.
Ok feels like a rant here, but I will say that the actions of 1 piece rods are special and now after having completed the work I am pleased with the action. Will post a few photos below
Bill
Flamed Culm
8' 1 piece quad
8'3" 1 piece hex
full rod shot
