For the 2019 Catskill Rod makers challenge, we were tasked with making a four piece travel rod. I had never built a rod over a three piece and wondered if the additional ferrules would drastically effect the swing weight of the rod. After much discussion with some other rod makers, I decided I would use a splice joint. I can honestly say.....
I’m Daniel Gowe of Zia~Rods. I was born in ‘51 and grew up in Southern California, along the San Diego beaches. I graduated from High School in ‘69, then started work as a fireman with the U.S. Forest Service in ‘72. I moved all over the state of California from South to North. After a career in fire management, I then became a Federal Law Enforcement Officer, Defensive Tactics Instructor and Armorer. After my Federal retirement in ‘96, I went back to school to be an Aircraft Mechanic and Pilot. I’m a licensed airplane pilot...
By the time I made my first bamboo fly rod and case, I had been woodworking and spin fishing for several years but had not tried fly fishing. After going through the process of building my first bamboo rod and learning some new techniques, I really wanted to try put my woodworking skills to the test and make a nice place to store and protect my new rod. I really didn’t do too much research ahead of time, honestly. I think sometimes things turn out better in the end that way. In my mind, I knew what I wanted to make and I was pretty confident....