Wood grips - pro's and cons ...

**smallstreams.co.za** · 30-09-11

Originally Posted by Catman

Mario I do think your Wild Olive with a bit of a Reddish wood in the centre would make a beautiful Handle.

Wild Olive and Besembos?? Sounds like a plan - but for the execution I'll send the wood to you

**redhumpy** · 30-09-11

Couple of questions

a) The african sun fattik@kki. Wouldn't wood handles crack over time if exposed for long periods in the african sun?

b) Is there a way to bore out the wood handle and fill it with cork?

c) For Korrie nymphing specifically. As wood is a solid material and cork a little bit more alive, would you feel the river flow/current, flies on the bottom, takes etc. better on a rod with wooden handle.

**Ryan** · 30-09-11

Originally Posted by Catman

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

Hi Alex..

What wood did you use in your grip? Does it not feel a little heavy in the hand and perhaps not a bit slippery. I like to incorporate other materials such as wood and bamboo etc.. But like the feel of cork.

Keen to hear your thoughts!

Ryan

**markdej** · 30-09-11

Originally Posted by Korrie

Ricko
I agree with the flex.
But for trout etc, how many times will the rod flex right into the handle?

Just on a side note relating to this:
My CTS #0 has flexed soo much on a few fish that one of the cork rings near the top of the grip cracked in the center of the ring. Its not a fault in the ring either.

If I'd had a grip on there that didnt fllex I can guarantee that rod would have popped mid grip...
Even though I do very much like a good bit of burl wherever I can put it

**Michael** · 30-09-11

Originally Posted by redhumpy

Couple of questions

a) The african sun fattik@kki. Wouldn't wood handles crack over time if exposed for long periods in the african sun?

b) Is there a way to bore out the wood handle and fill it with cork?

c) For Korrie nymphing specifically. As wood is a solid material and cork a little bit more alive, would you feel the river flow/current, flies on the bottom, takes etc. better on a rod with wooden handle.

Think about it, how much direct sunlight does a fly rod actually endure in it's lifetime? Not much, all things being relative. Most times it's stowed away in a rod bag and rod tube. When it's fished, it takes sunlight for a few hours (not even direct most times) and then stowed away again. Also, the wood must be treated now and then, with some wax or polish. No worries.

Answer to question "b"...yes there is...bore out the wood with a drill bit, mount the cork onto the rod, sand it down to the same diameter as the hole in the grip (okay 0,001" smaller, to the pedantics), slip it on and glue in place. Will save you a few grams.