Or (shameless spam here... but I think you'll agree this one is acceptable...) why not sign up and attend the next NCFFB Rod Building Bash!
I attended one in Feb 2006 and it was a great experience. All you needed to do was contact Pappy or one of the other instructors to pre-order your blank and guides, grip and rod seat etc and go to a local flyshop (or online resource) for thread, wrap check and anything else. (Note: In talking to Pappy, I was able to order everything I needed for the rod).
The instructors and volunteers at the bash helped with advice and taught everything you needed to know in order to produce a fine, fishable rod in a single weekend. I came in not knowing a thing and walked out with a fantastic Rod (Thanks Pappy, Frank, Lee and many others). Everything from working the cork grip to setting up the jig for making wraps (there were a number of different devices and methods) to learning about making decorative wraps.
From this you can then decide if you want to invest in equipment for building more rods on your own.
Of course building a rod at a bash allows you to be supervised and seek advice to learn how to do it. As well as how to correct any mistakes which may happen.
Not to mention that the bash is a great chance to meet the people we post with. I also got to see a wide vareity of rod styles and artistic things that other folks were doing. You can bring your own blank and materials if you want. I can't say enough about all the non-rod building Board volunteers who were there to help as well. They offered advice, gave praise and even prepared food so we could stay focused on building and finishing our rod in the very quick weekend. (There we too many to name and I don't want to forget anyone but there were a lot of folks who made the weekend something special).
From what I learned there, I feed competent to build more rods and intend on doing so.
Hope this helps.
Tightlines and bent rods,
SHF
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