Building your own fly rod is a great way to own a custom fly rod without breaking the bank. Designing and building your own cork handle takes customization to a new level, and is surprisingly easy and inexpensive. Over two class sessions you will learn about the different materials and techniques available to you as a rod builder, and will build your own fly rod handle.

In the first session on January 16th, we will explore different materials used in constructing fly rod handles... cork, birch bark, and several other woods. You will glue and compress cork rings into a "raw" handle. One week later, on January 23rd, you will transform your raw cork handle into the finished product by turning it on a lathe. Lathes will be available at the class and plans to make a DIY lathe using a drill motor will be available as well.

Materials for building your handle will be supplied. The course will be taught by David Polcyn who is an accomplished rod builder and turns all his own rod handles using many different materials. This class is being offered prior to the rod building class, so you can make a handle in this class and use it for the rod building course.

Making a Custom Fly Rod Handle