Gentlemen, start your engines!

I have just ordered the components for the Grand Prize fishing rod, which will be awarded to the top angler.

I went in a slightly different direction this year, opting for a more specialized rod - but in my mind, it's a rod that has a place in every roughfisher's garage.

What I'm building is a 9-foot, two-piece, medium-heavy fast action spinning rod rated for 8-17 pound test. Technically, it's a salmon-steelhead blank.

I just built one of these for myself, here's a picture:



Mine was built on a gray blank with red accents, this one will be a deep green blank with green accents.

Hardware is a set of Fuji Hardloy reinforced double-foot guides and top, black stainless steel hook keeper, big-bore select cork with green burl accents, and custom marbled green watermelon graphite reel seat. It'll be a split-grip configuration like the rod above.

I'll be documenting the rodbuilding process so you can watch the rod you're going to win take shape as the contest progresses. I hope to do a short video clip and some stills for every step in the process, so you guys can see what actually goes into building a custom fishing rod.

At the end of the contest, I'll sign and number the rod and apply whatever inscription you want before the final coat of epoxy finish goes on.

I've been very happy with this rod. Some of you might've gotten to see mine at the Roundup; I've got a big Tika baitfeeder reel on it. I plan on using it for carp, big redhorse, pike, salmon and steelhead, gar, sturgeon, and channel cats. It's an excellent long-casting live bait rod. Whoever wins it should enjoy fishing with it!

Good luck to all contestants, and look for some rodbuilding updates in the future!