|
|
| Post Number: 1
|
Steve 
Group: Administrator
Posts: 1223
Joined: Jul. 2005
|
 |
Posted on: Jan. 29 2012,16:54 |
|
   |
It's funny what provides inspiration. I've struggled to get supplies for the shop from some of the 'big boys' here in NZ, they don't want to supply my little shop with their high priced overseas rods etc.
So always on the lookout for a way around a problem and with some quite glowing reports coming in about CTS blanks i thought well there's not a top quality NZ made rod out their any more, why not build some up!
I've alway been quite good with my hands, so away I went, got a couple of blanks and built them up, took them out for some field testing, not bad but can I make something that will match those top overseas rods?
Fush Prototype
So to make this work I needed to get much better at making these babies, time and experience are good teaches, and being a farm lad at heart the good old kiwi 'can do' solves most problems.
Rod tubes, going to need some of those;
A local engineering firm did the tooling work, getting a dust free system to paint them was interesting
Labels proved difficult again got some done locally but the epoxy didn't like them and they weren't really of a high enough standard, next try was an overseas supplier who did a good job but we had a little cock up with the sizing so had to try again;
End results are pretty good though
I've really struggled for time, rod building seems to be something you can't rush, everything has to be just right, and it just takes time, there are lots of little tips to speeding up the process;
My favourites so far; these little bands, using some of my daughters beads, great instead of masking tape for holding the guides in place, then a drop of super glue once they're in the right spot - so much easier and quicker, and the bearings are for spining the rod, I was struggling with this, taking an age, but with this even the butt section is a breeze.
Edited by Steve on Feb. 11 2012,11:50
--------------
Steve Gerard
|
 |
|
|
| Post Number: 2
|
Steve
Group: Administrator
Posts: 1223
Joined: Jul. 2005
|
|
Posted on: Jan. 29 2012,17:14 |
|
 |
So I made up a batch;
and enjoying myself have just finished some more;
--------------
Steve Gerard
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 3
|
Steve
Group: Administrator
Posts: 1223
Joined: Jul. 2005
|
|
Posted on: Jan. 29 2012,17:25 |
|
|
Two models; the FUSH MX (left) comes with standard components & the FUSH MX Premium comes with some top components from Struble, Fuji and H&H;
 
Got a website mostly up and running here Fush Fly Rods
Seem to have a thing for using fish in logos
--------------
Steve Gerard
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 4
|
Steve
Group: Administrator
Posts: 1223
Joined: Jul. 2005
|
|
Posted on: Jan. 29 2012,17:29 |
|
|
End result is bugger all time for fishing  but I'm enjoying myself I think
--------------
Steve Gerard
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 5
|
powergel
Group: Members
Posts: 191
Joined: May 2011
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 11 2012,16:56 |
|
|
Good on you Steve...
...the rods look great and I wish you every success in the new venture..you deserve it!
regards
Ross
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 6
|
Mattyd
Group: Members
Posts: 511
Joined: Oct. 2009
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 11 2012,19:53 |
|
|
Very Cool Steve, I hope they sell well for ya, You have some very good backing right there, Will you add to the range as time goes? 3-4wt type stuff?
--------------
Before we had Glass, we had Grass - Fish Bamboo
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 7
|
Johnno
Group: Members
Posts: 3381
Joined: Jul. 2005
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 11 2012,20:23 |
|
|
I'll get one! Or two..... 
--------------
"I never understood the appeal of flyfishing Jim. It's too much like masturbation for me, without the payoff".
( Gabriel Shear - Swordfish )
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 8
|
waitakidan
Group: Members
Posts: 922
Joined: Sep. 2005
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 12 2012,07:08 |
|
|
Great work Steve. Those CTS MX blanks are one of the nicest blanks I have ever cast, a great all-rounder for NZ fishing.
Good luck with it all.
Dan
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 9
|
upstream
Group: Members
Posts: 1099
Joined: Jan. 2006
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 12 2012,10:57 |
|
|
Very nice Steve. I love the aluminium tubes.
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 10
|
Nesameletus
Group: Members
Posts: 396
Joined: Sep. 2008
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 12 2012,18:01 |
|
|
Cool Steve, good luck with these.
--------------
Webby
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
