After Christmas is over i plan on taking up rod building. I have been searching the web in places to buy equipment and all the tools necessary to start. I found a bunch of places online but i would really like to go into a store where i can ask question, I think there is a place up north right off harlem in chicago and also a place i think in mokena? Anyone have any advice or have build rods before? I was planning on making a wrapper since they look pretty easy to make, just cut some notches in some 2X4s and line them with felt, dont want to spend the 60 bucks on one. I like the idea of customizing the rod exactly how you want it and the end product will be very gratifying especially when i catch my first fish. Any recommendation on blanks? Reel Seats? Cork to use? Guides? I plan i making a 6 foot ML rod to wade for what ever will bite mostly smallies.

Matt,
Leave this post over on Chitown angler.

Bear/Kevin builds rods and should be able to answer all your questions. Kevin's a great guy, tell him Hi for me.

Make it 6 foot 6 inch one piece St. Croix blank. Fast action.

Mine is now a 5 foot 8 inch due to a mishap and I miss that extra few inches. The flexibility went away too. Never realized how much I relied on that to get the casts I wanted.