What's the least expensive graphite rod I can make? With some gifting desired for Yoho's quiver, a down weight rod is appropriate. I sought a new objective in rod-building... what's worthy of our smallest waters and is pretty low cost. So, think 10 Mile Ck along I70, or the very headwaters of the Ark, or RMNP streams draining the glaciers, or even Grape Ck. So, for ~$60 in parts, I built the Rodfather El Cheapo for Jim. The components include a Chinese 6'6" matte green 4 piece 2 weight high modulus fast graphite blank, a cool Chinese aluminum gunmetal real seat with "blonde" cork insert, a pre-turned reverse wells cork handle, and a gunmetal guide kit. This thing is ultralight and righteously fast and while roll casting won't be too great, he can wend his way through any kind of streamside brush. I finished El Cheapo with electric green thread to work with the dark green matte coloring. The rig measures out at an ERN of 2.8 and is pretty damn fast at an AA of 72°; it is also well balanced as I stayed very light in the reel seat area and click & pawl reels are just feathers. The completed rod weighs just 1.75 oz. Strange such a short rod wasn't made as a 3 pc but the ferrules don't seem to deaden the action at all. I even found leftover plexiglass tubing for a rod tube. I think the objective was well met but Jim still needs to load it up and get some time on the streams.
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