I've had a lot of things custom-made in the past (boats, pistols, rods, etc) and occasionally things don't turn out nearly as well as hoped. Well, I received a FedEx tube today containing two custom-wrapped rods and I was VERY VERY IMPRESSED! I've had my share of custom rods in the past and these are as nice as I've had. A number of months ago, Forum member "Anuvat" posted some photos of a Smith 80P/35 blank that he had wrapped himself. I posted that "this doesn't look like the first rod you've wrapped" - gross understatement but Andy and I have been emailing back and forth for a while so I wasn't too worried how it would be taken online. A while back I took a rod of his to Mexico and fished it. He'll have to fill in the details but it had a really nice action to it. Anyhow, I'm into "spares" so he wrapped two for me, one is rated PE3-6 and the other is rated PE4-8. As I like uniformity, the only distinguishing feature between them is one reddish/gold thread on one where a bluish/silver thread is on the other and an extra blue stripe on one butt near the gimbal. For those that can appreciate very nicely wrapped rods, here's a peek at my two new rods (please direct all questions to Anuvat, he knows the details, I just want to fish 'em!) -
Let's just say I know who is going to be wrapping all my future custom rods If your happy with his work stay with him..The more rods he make for you..The better he gets at knowing what you want... They look great & smith is a good blank........