I started restoring rods about 16 years ago. Read about it, tried different finishes and some hideous thread combinations. If you look at "Rods for Sale" you'll one on a Montague I did in 1994 - I think I was going to sell it to a Cowboys fan. I cursed silk threads because I came to find out you have to put about 6 coats of preserver to prevent bleed throughs when you dip the rod, but that's an entirely solo post on it's own. Because of business and my band, I stopped about 5 years, but have resumed again. Here are a couple of recent projects.
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A Weber Monogram made by Heddon. I bought this from a fellow member of TU about 13 years ago and finally got it done. I really like the way the reel seat cleaned up. I was going to wrap in the original Black & White Jasper but my vintage 00 silk kept snapping so I used the same thread I use for Orvis repairs and it went well with the cane color. I look forward to fishing this one.
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This is an HI Lucky Strike I did for a friend from TU. It was just for display so I kept the original guides and replaced a few. Some sets in the tips were easy to fix and this was my first dip with a new batch of varnish that turned out well (I store the dip tube and do the work in my Music/fish room vs. the garage, temp makes a huge difference.). We were both happy.
A Weber Monogram made by Heddon. I bought this from a fellow member of TU about 13 years ago and finally got it done. I really like the way the reel seat cleaned up. I was going to wrap in the original Black & White Jasper but my vintage 00 silk kept snapping so I used the same thread I use for Orvis repairs and it went well with the cane color. I look forward to fishing this one.
