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Fatman's 7' 3wt. - the Blue Rod!

Components		Source	Cost (approx.)
Blank -	Cabela's PT	Cabela's	$57
Weight -	3 wt.
Length -	7'
Pieces -	2
Action -	Moderate Progressive Taper (hence "PT")
Finish -	Gloss Brown
Modulus -	43 million

Cabela's Standard Component Kit, INCLUDES:			$42

Tip top -	Chrome	Cabela's
Guides -	Double Foot Snake Guides, Chrome	Cabela's
Stripper -	Black (I swapped for a chrome Hialoy)	Cabela's
Hookkeeper -	Standard U, Chrome	Cabela's

Grip -	Reverse Fine Wells	Cabela's

Reel Seat -	Uplocking Silver	Cabela's

		Rough Component Cost -	$99

Other Details
Thread -	Gudebrod Nylon, Size A, in Royal Blue (0245) and Black (0001), and Gudebrod Metallic, Size A, in Silver (9002)
Color Preserver -	U-40 Color Lock
Finish -	Flex Coat

Comments
I LOVE THIS BLANK! It's crisp; yet it's a 3 wt. You can tell it's gonna be both delicate and athoritative all depending on how you handle it!

Things I learned while building this rod
"Clients" can have really good ideas! The solid blue wraps were totally Rich's idea, and mane I thought they'd look like junk but they are SWEEEEEET! Again, as per Rich's suggestion, I experimented on this rod incorporating both my first Diamond Wrap AND my first weave (talk about teadious thread art, the weaves are horrendous, and this was only a 7 thread pattern)!

Pictures


Fat's 7' 3wt.	The tiptop wrap is pretty much decorative only according to Dave @ Creekside.	Guide Wraps on the double foot snake guides.

I ditched the crappy black stripper and replaced it with a Chrome Hialoy.	This is TEDIOUS work, but the name weaving is kinda neat.	The first Diamond Wraps I did, as seen from the top the rod.

How these diamond wraps look from the side.	Only left myself a tiny spot to sign this rod on the underside.	The standard seat and grip that came with the Cabela's component kit.

A closeup of the downlocking reel seat.