Just noticed this thread, been a bit busy with work lately.
If you use the right finish you will find that the handle in fact becomes a little tacky
rather than slippery, straight Polyurethane varnish is not the right thing to use.
I use a mix of Poly varnish & Tung Oil & never have any slippage problems.
As to flex, the biggest fish I have landed on my 9ft 5wt was an 18lbs Rainbow Trout without any problems.
On my 9ft 3wt I landed a 7lb Rainbow Trout on it's first outing again no problems what so ever.
How to Christen a 3wt with a wooden Handle - 7lb Rainbow!!!
Mario I do think your Wild Olive with a bit of a Reddish wood in the centre would make a beautiful Handle.
I am just about to build a 6wt Sea Trout Rod with a Full Wells wooden handle & a wooden Fighting Butt.
Alex
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