Rod Building Classes

As you may know by know my name is Big John and I have an addiction.  I would like to share this addiction with you.  I LOVE TO MAKE FISHING RODS; I LOVE TO TALK ABOUT FISHING RODS; AND I LOVE TO SHARE IDEAS ABOUT MAKING FISHING RODS.

Let me share with you how I came up with the need for these one-on-one classes.  I am a retired Nurse.  I specialized in Emergency and Critical Care Nursing.  I also was a Nurse Educator specializing in these two fields.  I noticed that some people learn and respond differently to being taught.  A great many of my students, including myself, learn better by “getting their hands dirty”.  In other words, some of us accept and learn new things better by actually doing and seeing things done.  So I started sharing my knowledge and passion of Rod Building with you.  There are many videos and books out there on rod building and if that is your method of learning give me a holler and I will gladly recommend some of them.  If your choice is to “get your hands dirty” and actually build a rod, this class may be for you.

You will actually build your own rod while you are here.  This is a step-by-step hands on instruction with enough flexibility built in to concentrate on areas of the students interest or needs. 

I will email you a questionnaire to find out such things as but not limited to:

• What do you expect out of rod building?

• What kind of fishing do you do?

• Your physical history?

•    Your budget considerations?

• What kind of rods do YOU like?

Brief out line of the course:

1. Introduction

   1. Determining expectations

   2. What to expect

   3. Goals

2. Rod Blanks

   1. What fits me

   2. Different horses for different races

      1. Glass

      2. Graphite

      3. Composite

      4. Many other combinations

3. Thread

4. Equipment

5. Epoxy

6. Brushes

7. Shaping corks

8. Shaping non-cork handles

9. Guides

10. Reel seats

11. Hands on assembling components

12. Hands on shaping grips and fore grips

13. Applying tip-top

14. Static testing

15. Determining guide placement

16. Hands on wrapping

17. Finishing

A complete outline will be provided on first class day.

The class materials furnished:

• Manual
• Stripped rod blank
  • If you would like a better blank we can talk about cost or you can furnish your own blank
• Equipment
• Used guides
• Plastic reel seat
• Wrapping and finishing Material
• Shop
• Light lunch

 You are responsible for:

• All travel
• Accommodations
• Meals except for lunch

 I live on the banks of the Arroyo Colorado in Rio Hondo, Texas.  I have a nice pier and you are welcomed to fish any time.  The classes will go about 9 or 10 hours a day.  Starting time will be usually up to you (I am retired).  The nearest airport is Harlingen International-Harlingen, Texas.  Port Isabel and South Padre Island and Brownsville are about twenty miles away.  I will gladly assist you in finding a Motel or Hotel room if you like.  I will also be glad to pick you up at the Harlingen airport.  You are welcome to stay at my home.  I have a guest bedroom.  If you come in an RV, you can set up here at the house.  I only do one student at a time, but if you have a buddy we can discuss it and come to a resolution.

Cost:

2 day class-$500.00
3 day class-$600.00