When it comes to rod building, normally my only customer is myself. I’ve made lots of rods and given them away, or traded favors, but never built with the idea of making a profit. Profit means expectations, and I find it’s easier to build when I only need to meet my expectations.
In hindsight, I’m not sure why I agreed to build Harrison a rod. But I’m glad I did - it was an incredibly fun project. He was the perfect customer - allowed me to build at my own speed, and he was happy to weigh in on build ideas. We had some great chats about anything from classic fly rods, to things like cork and rattan grips, cigar vs reverse wells, hook keepers and lots more.
Harrison wanted a fast action, fiberglass rod, suited to the smaller streams of Appalachia. The first rod that came mind was a rod similar to one I’ve been casting lately from Ben’s Rods over in Holland. I just completed building one of his 7’ 3wt rods and was really enjoying fishing it through the late fall and winter. Harrison loved the idea and we ordered one up. Ben was great in helping me source some additional rod components and got it all in the mail the next day. Unfortunately, this is where the waiting game started, and the US Customs office brought this project to a halt.
One month went by. Two months went by. As we were entering the end of the third month Ben kindly offered to refund my money for rod. We were out of options, and the rod seemed to be destined to be lost forever.
As I explained my issue to Zeb from Snowman Custom Rod Works, he told me he had designed a new taper for the exact fishing scenarios that Harrison encountered regularly. Zeb offered to include some custom ferrule rings, and it was a perfect match. It was a perfect solution to a problem we were powerless to solve. He shipped it quick, and our project was back on track.
For the color scheme, I was inspired by the custom Sugarloaf Social Club colors, with a garnet colored agate stripping guide, similar colored garnet thread with dark blue tips. We discussed other rod components we talked about ways we could combine golf and fly fishing within the rod, and the idea of adding the Sugarloaf Social Club BB&F ferrule to the rod came to life. We both thought it would be a fun way to dress up the rod.
I went through the normal, uneventful, build process. Wrapping and rewrapping each guide, trying to make sure they were as flawless as possible. A delicate process of consuming just the right number of IPA’s and watching NoLayingUp episodes and West Coast hockey games. Once done, I was able to add the script, and hit it with a few coats of epoxy.
It was a fun build that ended up being a much longer process than expected, but I am very happy with how the rod came out. The blank was amazingly responsive and I enjoyed lawn casting it. Zeb did a great job designing the blank and overall, I was confident Harrison would enjoy fishing it.
And wouldn’t you know it, the day I put the first wrap of thread on a guide, a huge package arrived on my doorstep, precisely the size of a new fly rod and travel tube. The package from Ben’s Rod’s finally made it’s way through customs, and showed up without warning. I sent Ben a note, repaid for the rod, and we both had a chuckle. It seems to have been destiny, that SSC #2 would be born. Another golf rod will be brought to life soon!
