A special announcement

[.ghoti.]

Clayton, I have a few pics. I will try to get them up later tonight.

[CTBassin860]

Incredible idea.Those rods looks great guys.A huge thanks to the men and women of our armed forces.I will certainly be chipping in.

[RMax]

This is so cool! Those are beautiful rods, good job builders!

[clayton86]

here's some of the pics and a little something about the build Gary .ghoti. Did for me. 

 

Im still a little lost for words and might be a bit rambling but I'll do my best I just did a practice run on this post on FB expressing my gratitude. 

 

This took me by total surprise and honestly couldn't have came at a better time as I have been battling some severe depression lately and this really picked me up when I have been feeling down. 

 

This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. I don't even know where to begin to thank everyone who has donated and helped with these builds. Gary did a great job on the rod and I almost don't want to use it as it's much nicer then my fleet of veritas rods but it was built to be used and I plan on breaking it in tomorrow on some river small mouth. 

 

Im still a little lost for words as there is more bouncing in my head about this than I'm able to put into words on here. 

 

Now for some pics I took after work today they don't do it justice. 

It won't  let me do the pic of the spiral wrapped guides 

[lonnie g]

On ‎5‎/‎19‎/‎2017 at 2:54 PM, S Hovanec said:

I've been sitting on these pics for a couple weeks because I couldn't post them til the project was announced. Since my forte is cork and reel seats, I declined the pre-fab grips and did my own thing.

 

Please excuse all the fuzz on the rod.  The microfiber towel I wiped it with seemed to deposit more dust than it removed!

 

Butt cap with Army insignia inlay.

 

I wanted to do more with the grip but a technique I have been experimenting with wasn't working out .

 

 

The reel seat hardware provided wouldn't work with my plans of using acrylic, so I substituted in Fuji SK2 hardware.

 

 

I had a bit of scrap left from the reel seat, so I turned a matching winding check.

 

 

Slogan decal provided by Batson.

 

Personalized decal by Decal Connection.

 

 

Alps guides provided by Batson.

 

 

 

the personal touches are awesome! great craftsmanship! what an awesome way to say thanks to our heros.

[.ghoti.]

Clayton, you did a better job taking pics than I did, so I wont post any.

 

That is a Rainshadow Immortal blank, 7'2", MF, 1/4 - 3/4oz, 10 - 17lb. That would be the classic Loomis MH-F, but Batson calls it a medium. I would call it a mag-medium. It should be good for any plastic/jig applications, except for heavy cover pitching or punching. I have built several rods on Immortal blanks, and they are at the top of my list. I used Alps F series titanium frame guides in a simple spiral configuration. An Alps Textouch reel seat, with Alps grips and winding checks finish it off. I used the Alps grips because they sent me some. I prefer to make my own. I like designing and making custom cork grips, but I felt like I should use what they donated. The grips are a very firm EVA, with rubberized cork ends. Very nice in the hands. If you like building with premade grips, these would be a very good choice. I just looked, and they have quite a few options for grips, butt caps and trim pieces in their catalog. Check them out sometime.

 

I took a page out of Scott's play book, using some old Gudebrod red thread, and finished them without color preserver. I dont have a pic that shows it, but they are a nice transparent red. Looks like cherry cool-aid, with the dark chrome blank and titanium guide feet showing through.

 

I have enjoyed being a part of this project, working alonside some very talanted guys. Looks like we have some donations ready to start coming in to help us continue this thing. I hope we can keep this going for a long time. I will build as many rods as we can raise money for.

[clayton86]

First fish on the rod I received from Gary. Caught on a siebert outdoors sniper jig in 5/16oz. 

 

The rod is unbelievably comfortable casts a mile and the sensitivity is out of this world. I still want to get a new reel for it I have a gen 1 revo s on it now thinking of trying a kastking or sticking with my revos and getting a premier, alt or mgx. 

 

Again thank you @.ghoti.  and everyone else who has mad it possible 

 

 

[Lucky Craft Man]

56 minutes ago, clayton86 said:

First fish on the rod I received from Gary. Caught on a siebert outdoors sniper jig in 5/16oz. 

 

The rod is unbelievably comfortable casts a mile and the sensitivity is out of this world. I still want to get a new reel for it I have a gen 1 revo s on it now thinking of trying a kastking or sticking with my revos and getting a premier, alt or mgx. 

 

Again thank you @.ghoti.  and everyone else who has mad it possible 

 

 

 

Nice! You know how to break in a rod right with a Smallmouth!  No need to waste the christening process on an inferior fighting green fish.

[Batson]

Here at Batson Enterprises, we’ve always been proud supports for causes related to the military and we couldn’t have been happier the provide blanks and components to these builders when asked. Thanks for the builds, they look great!

[.ghoti.]

1 minute ago, Batson said:

Here at Batson Enterprises, we’ve always been proud supports for causes related to the military and we couldn’t have been happier the provide blanks and components to these builders when asked. Thanks for the builds, they look great!

We are delighted you were generous enough to donate, and ship, free of charge, enough stuff to build four rods. I can't thank you enough for stepping up and helping us jumpstart this project.

 

We are going to keep it going this time. And, I plan to use Rainshadow blanks, Textouch reels seats, Alps or Forecast winding checks and Alps guides for all of the rods I build for this project.

 

Too date, I've built two casting and one fly rod on Eternity blanks; three casting and five spinning on Immortal blanks; and two casting rods on Revelation blanks. I have nothing but good things to say about Baston products.

 

[Oregon Native]

Just saw all your postings on this (my bad) and had to chime in.  FIRST....thank you to everyone who had a hand in this....very much.  To be outside working on the boat and the postman walks up and hands me a rod tube!?!?!?!?  I too thought I haven't ordered a rod in years.  So I was shocked and looked at the return address and saw that it was from Mike at "Delaware Tackle DVT"  I called him  and asked is this real....mistake...whats going on!  It is a beauty and now my official chatterbait rod as it seems to be perfect for this.  I was almost (was) in tears and had to look up to our heavens and say thank you too.  God sure knows our hearts.....OMG.  I know I have said this a couple times but will have to get wife or son to help me in the picture department.

Oh.....the rod is a Rainshadow ... REVELATION.  

It also says on the side....NON SIBI SED PATRIAE......I need to call mike again and ask what this means.

Again I most humbly thank you all....Tight Lines

[jbw252]

Non sibi sed patriae is a Latin phrase meaning "not for self, but country". Congrats @Oregon Native, and thank you for your dedicated service.

[Oregon Native]

Just now, jbw252 said:

Non sibi sed patriae is a Latin phrase meaning "not for self, but country". Congrats @Oregon Native, and thank you for your dedicated service.

Oh wow....goose bumps....thank you

[KurtActual]

Holy smokes guys. 6:40 AM and there is a lump in my throat. What a badass way to recognize some selfless members of this community.

I was given a box of flies on Veteran's day last year, and it's been one of the greatest gifts that has kept on giving.

Those rods will be heirlooms!

 

Looking forward to more sponsors and warriors in the future!

[Bulletman20XD]

I just became a member yesterday and ran across this thread today and read every post. Things like this break down the heart of this old soldier and as I write this, it's hard to hold back my tears. People have no idea how much it means to a vet to see/hear appreciation as it is given to us. More and more I shop and see stores, restaurants etc.. giving discounts to active duty and vets. I am a member of the Army Bass Anglers Pro Staff and I too donate to several charities that assist our Wounded Warriors. It's my way of saying thanks to my brothers (and sisters) in arms who have been wounded in combat. Many in our great country have no idea of the sacrifices our military must make as "Volunteers" on a daily basis. The long hours, 30 day training exercises, the deployments, moving our family away from our homes every 2-3 years, the mental and physical fatigue, and the worst being, the uncertainty if we'll make it home alive. Personally my service cost me my first marriage and almost my second. A back injury in 1989 will haunt me the rest of my life but these are nothing compared to what some others have endured.

 

I want to thank each and every one of you who were involved in this unselfish gift to our vets--I am sure those who received a rod will cherish them for the rest of their life!

 

 

Hooah!

[Damn Yankee]

Semper fi

[geo g]

Congrats guys, that is a wonderful gesture for the guys that put their life on the line for this country.  How long does it take to make one of these rods?   Thanks for taking the time and effort to make their day.

[Fish n Things]

Very good idea. I am only a couple days into this forum, as I'm not really computer savvy.  I am currently AD USAF been in for 7 yrs.  I will be looking into how to donate as soon as the day is over.  Thank you for your service.

[shovelmouth83]

i have to say it is very nice to do this. there re many things out there but this is amazing. 

[D0331J]

Sad to see that this idea appears to have tapered off. Would love to see more vets thanked for their service with something that brings them a little R&R.

[J Francho]

It's still an active project.

[D0331J]

Oops, my mistake. By the dates on the posts it looked like it tapered off. I'll read through it again and see about donating to this cause

[.ghoti.]

Donations continue to trickle in. I have a rod nearly finished at this time. It will be shipped sometime next week? We have enough cash on hand to build another which I will start on soon.

 

I have paying customers to finish some rods for before starting another one of these. 

[Rahlow]

Awesome.

I know this next question might be awkward, so a PM may be the best from one of the builders to give an idea of what the cost is to cover the expenses of 1 rod?? 

[Mobasser]

Let us know. Great idea. I support our military men past and present 100%.