Mark Janeck

Forecast 2 piece blank, with graphite oversleeve on butt (ala Japanese Megabass rods). Cabela's graphite reelseat, custom removable butt, allows weights to be added for balance. Knotty burl cork from Mudhole. Reel is limited edition from Daiwa/Ito. Feather light. I haven't fished it yet, but thought I would try the oversleeve to keep the combo in the unique Japanese theme. The sleeve does add a nice stoutness to the butt which I like. I've never liked feeling the blank bending through the grip. This reduces this feeling.

IF602 with Hardy St. George Jr. Reel

Custom slide band seat

Has removable butt to function as a fly rod

With some consulting from Rich at Richards Rod and reel, I built this rod on a 4 pc. St. Croix 2S60LF-4. I am very pleased with the performance. Throws a 4/5wt line.

SCV 8'6" 4 pce. Used a Bellinger reelseat slightly modified, a couple sterling silver rings and some burl Maple from Andy Dear.

All parts of this rod were bought on sale from Rodbuilder.org sponsors. Final product is a very nice rod for very little money. Blank: Tiger Eye 4/5wt from Tomari, Reelseat from Platte River Rods, Burl Cork grip from Mudhole, Thread and TiGold guides from Richards Rod and Reel, I asked Tom for permission to use the Rodbuilder name on the rod.

Cocobolo has no finish, just buffed using the Lee Valley system. Spiral wrapped, using Forecast Ti/Gold rings, and modified Weibe trigger.

Finally got to field test the Rosewood Split Grip rod with the wood carving that I showed you a while back. Built with a spiral wrap on a 7' Tiger Eye blank, using all Forecast single foot TiGold guides, it performed like a champ. Casting was great and fighting this scrappy 36" Muskie was a joy. I'm definitely sold on the spiral wrap, as were many others in the group. Will be building a few for them.

4wt Rainshadow IF704, with little Brown. Big reel for little fish!