Rod Building Materials

[flyfishguy]

I was just wondering if there are any places on the island that have a good selection of the rod building components and if so where? What brand of Rod Blanks would you recommend for someone making there first fly rod?

Thanks

[professori]

Rainshadow flyrod kits from Shoff Tackle
http://www.shofftackle.com/rainshadow-index.html Best deal out there.

[tbar24]

ya i have been looking at getting into rod building to. by the looks of it i might probably just order online, im leaning towards a tiger eye blank, from what i heard they are great blanks for the money

[stevil]

Rod Builder Supplies in Victoria, has everything you need in stock. Maybe a little pricey, but the advice I recieved while there is worth its weight in gold! Once you factor in exchange, shipping and brokerage fees on supplies ordered from the States, and overhead costs of stocking what is essentially specialty items, you'll find the prices to be a bargain anyways...

It is a little out of the way, so i'd reccomend calling first to ensure he's there. I just showed up, and he was outside landscaping, dropped everything to help me out!

http://www.rodbuildersupplies.com/index.php

[Speynut]

Yup, talk to Andy at Rod Builder Supplies. Even if you can't get down to see him he ships fast.
I've found over the years that ordering anything from the States can be a lesson in futility when it comes to rod-building supplies, for some reason Canada Customs likes to hold these items at the border, I usually count on an additional 2 to 3 weeks if I have to order something from down south.

Colin

[professori]

Yup, talk to Andy at Rod Builder Supplies. Even if you can't get down to see him he ships fast.
I've found over the years that ordering anything from the States can be a lesson in futility when it comes to rod-building supplies, for some reason Canada Customs likes to hold these items at the border, I usually count on an additional 2 to 3 weeks if I have to order something from down south.

Colin

It has been said before here, but you can sign up at a depot just across the border in Sumas or Point Roberts (I know this is of no help to folks on the Island). You have your order shipped there (usually cheaper shipping costs, often free) go down, pick it up and come back in 20 minutes. No trouble with customs, no broker fees, etc. Usually takes under a week to get to the package depot in my experience.

[macrib46]

It has been said before here, but you can sign up at a depot just across the border in Sumas or Point Roberts (I know this is of no help to folks on the Island). You have your order shipped there (usually cheaper shipping costs, often free) go down, pick it up and come back in 20 minutes. No trouble with customs, no broker fees, etc. Usually takes under a week to get to the package depot in my experience.

I'm not sure if it is still there, but years ago when I used to mail order stuff I would get it shipped to 603 cherry st. in sumas, andf your rite prof. pop across, pick it up and pop back, no hassles.

[Donn]

Try Mike Flynn in Schooner cove. He's in the Parksville phone listings. I've bought off him several times and his prices are very good. He doesn't have a lot of stuff but I think he could be encoraged to build up his stock if he had a few more customers. He also builds Sage rods and does a lot of repair for fishing camps and guides etc.

For cork, Andy Royer in Washington state is the guy to go to. His business is called "The Bamboo Broker."

http://www.bamboobroker.com/links.html

[Crapsterface]

So can u build a better rod for the money you would buy a rod for ? and is there alot of trial and error at 1st ? and is building the bamboo alot different or more complicated then a normal rod kit? I v always been curious about the bamboo

[professori]

So can u build a better rod for the money you would buy a rod for ?

If by "better" you mean one finished just the way you want it, with the components you want, then the answer is yes.

and is there alot of trial and error at 1st ?

Not really, if you follow directions fairly well. There definitely is a learning process to go through and the first rod you build probably won't be a nicely done as the 5th you do, but you should have a very decent rod once you have done, even your first build. There are inexpensive kits you can get that will deliver very good rods, but not be so expensive that you are afraid to learn the craft on them.

and is building the bamboo alot different or more complicated then a normal rod kit?

Yes and yes