[Mike Barrio]

Sandy and I were at the point of expanding on the Barrio 3wt kits just before he found out that he was moving to Brunei

That's why Sandy produced the step by step guide for building them for the website, but I haven't put it online.

Doing these in a #3, #4 and #5, plus some other specials would have been such a great idea, as the kits had all the suitable components worked out for you and some options like different wood inserts etc would be easy to incorporate in to the kits.

One of the beauties of course, was that you could try a finished rod before you bought the kit ..... and if you came to Haddo you could actually see the components before buying

I couldn't get this up and running overnight, but it would not take me long ....... if you think products like this would be popular, I would certainly be very keen to set something like this up, as the whole rod building thing is so much fun and one or two of you have already found that being able to go somewhere local to find a winding check to fit your blank or whatever can be useful

So ........ What do you think guys????

Best wishes
Mike

[Alex Burnett]

one or two of you have already found that being able to go somewhere local to find a winding check to fit your blank or whatever can be useful

Best wishes
Mike

  Yes I certainly have

I think it would be an excellent idea,  I am certainly enjoying the new challenge and I am sure anyone else who gave it a go would find the same, the end result of catching a fish on a rod you have built yourself is even better than catching a fish on a fly you have tied yourself. 

Alex

[Matt Henderson]

I for one would buy one and knowing that there was somewhere to go for a little after sales advice afterwards would be a definate plus. 

[Bronzebommer]

Sounds good to me. It was nice to try my 5# before I bought it (I would have bought it anyway). As it is often said "Try before you buy".

[stickleback]

Alex

That handle really does look the dog's danglies.  Well done.   

Did the supplier ream it out to your request, or did you have to do it yourself ?  I would imagine trying to ream a proper wood handle to fit your blank would be a pretty painstaking experience - regardless of how you got it done it certainly looks the business.

Cheers

Cammy

[Alex Burnett]

Hi Cammy

I gave the supplier the max OD of the blank at the Butt end & the OD of the hood of the Reel Seat & he made it to suit needed a little taping up on the handle & a very snug fit on the reel Seat. It was actually such a snug fit I had to remove some epoxy during fitting as the handle & Reel Seat would not go together it was working like a suspension dampner, just took out a little at a time until the two seated properly & now it is absolutely solid.

Alex

[Rob Brownfield]

Mike,
You know my views on this ...

Its always a bit of a gamble when ordering blanks etc online, although going to someone like Meadow Fishery where you can phone up and speak to John, the rod builder is perhaps the safest way of doing it. Being able to jump in the car and actually handle the blanks/rods would be fantastic!!

What about a #3, a #5 and a #7. I think that range would cover 90% of the Trout anglers not only in this area, but most of the UK too. The difference between a 3 and a 4 or a 4 and a 5 is not really that great for most people, so I think you would be limiting your customer base????
With a 7 you are starting to get into Sea Trout and Salmon too, thus increasing that customer base even more.

Just a thought.