I got interested in rod building a few years back, and pretty quickly got hooked on it. A good portion of the rods I use are those I built myself, and I’ve built a few for friends and family. Some have turned out to be really special, and it does add a lot to the overall experience for me. Two rods really stand out for me: one is an 11’6” 6wt Sage One switch rod I built for my Dad and has been used since for countless hours and fish; the other is a 12’6” 3/4/5 Meiser Highlander Classic that has been pure joy on the Klamath and Trinity this fall for Steelhead. Both rods cast beautifully, and have grips that fit just so in the hands, and I love the way both of them look as finished rods. I wish I could build a lot more... if only “time and money” weren’t in the way. I don’t know that I’ve saved any money yet, but honestly if it were about saving money I wouldn’t be fly fishing at all.
JB