Moving forward with a couple concurrent making of 7'-3'' 2/2 bamboo fly rods. Completed the first 'dip' of all 5 rod blanks yesterday in heated Helmsman spar urethane. This will be one of at least three dipping processes. The first two will be completed before wrapping guides on the blanks, then a third finish coat will be applied after the wraps are finished.

Discovered during the fist dip of the day on a tip section that small indentations appeared near the ferrule. I removed the section and noticed the indentations were made by the 3-jaw chuck on my lathe during ferrule fitting and installation. I got these sanded down on all three tip sections. Also noticed these pressure marks on the butt sections as well, and got them sanded off.

 

 I was going to use blued hardware on these two rods but because I do not have the quality I want from that process I have decided to stay with the shiny polished nickle-silver hardware look on both.

When I am satisfied that the depth and quality of blued hardware is where I want it, then I will make other fly rods with that hardware.

I used some new wave style corks I got directly out of Portugal on one of the rods and used traditional cork I got from a US supplier on the other one. I really like the look of the wave cork and will use it often. I applied some clear shrink wrap on both handles to keep them clean and undamaged during the finishing process.