The "MOOSE"

[Spiel]

For those of you who were following my post "Moose Antler Rod Handle," it is now finally ready to catch some fishies. 
 

 

The owner wanted to give it the handle, "The MOOSE" and I was happy to make it so.

Here's the final pictures I just took before it leaves the house later today. 
Oh and yes, the guides are indeed spiral wrapped, as requested. 

Thanks for looking and Happy Sunday Folks. 

 

 

 

[Spiel]

To add as a side note, it just occurred to me that this rod going out the door marks 50 years this month since I sold my first custom built rod.
I think I'll retire to the porch with a cold beer. 
Cheers 

[John]

A thing of beauty Chris. I truly don't understand the concept of spiral wrapped guides?

[Spiel]

1 hour ago, John said:

A thing of beauty Chris. I truly don't understand the concept of spiral wrapped guides?

 

This bait caster is very soft in the tip John, the number of guides required to keep the line from falling below the blank would be excessive, add undesired weight to the rods tip and reduce sensitivity and performance.

 

This is a fairly good explanation I copied and pasted.....

 

Spiral wrap guides on fishing rods offer several advantages over traditional guide placement, primarily improving rod stability, reducing line twist, and enhancing casting distance and accuracy. By spiraling the guides around the rod blank, the line is kept underneath the rod when under pressure, minimizing the torque and potential twisting of the rod. This design also allows for fewer, larger guides, reducing line friction and leading to smoother, longer casts.

Reduced Torque and Improved Stability:

When fighting a fish, the line exerts force on the rod, potentially causing it to twist or rotate, especially with traditional baitcasting rods. Spiral wrapping the guides, often referred to as "acid wrapping," ensures the line is positioned underneath the rod, counteracting this torque and keeping the rod more stable. This results in a more controlled and powerful fight, preventing the rod from twisting in your hand.

Minimized Line Contact and Friction:

By spiraling the guides, the line has less contact with the rod blank itself, reducing friction and improving casting distance and accuracy. Fewer guides are needed compared to traditional setups, further minimizing line friction and contributing to a smoother casting experience.

 

Enhanced Sensitivity and Responsiveness:

When properly engineered, spiral wrapped rods can be more sensitive and responsive, allowing anglers to feel subtle bites and changes in the lure's action. The reduced weight of the rod due to fewer guides and the efficient line management contribute to this increased sensitivity. 

 

Reduced Line Tangles:

The spiral design minimizes line contact with the rod blank, especially when bent, significantly reducing the chance of line tangles, a common frustration for anglers.

 

Potential for Increased Leverage:

In some cases, the spiral wrap design may allow for a more direct and powerful pull on the fish, leading to improved leverage and potentially making it easier to land larger or more stubborn fish.

 

 

[CrowMan]

2 hours ago, Spiel said:

 

This bait caster is very soft in the tip John, the number of guides required to keep the line from falling below the blank would be excessive, add undesired weight to the rods tip and reduce sensitivity and performance.

 

This is a fairly good explanation I copied and pasted.....

 

Spiral wrap guides on fishing rods offer several advantages over traditional guide placement, primarily improving rod stability, reducing line twist, and enhancing casting distance and accuracy. By spiraling the guides around the rod blank, the line is kept underneath the rod when under pressure, minimizing the torque and potential twisting of the rod. This design also allows for fewer, larger guides, reducing line friction and leading to smoother, longer casts.

Reduced Torque and Improved Stability:

When fighting a fish, the line exerts force on the rod, potentially causing it to twist or rotate, especially with traditional baitcasting rods. Spiral wrapping the guides, often referred to as "acid wrapping," ensures the line is positioned underneath the rod, counteracting this torque and keeping the rod more stable. This results in a more controlled and powerful fight, preventing the rod from twisting in your hand.

Minimized Line Contact and Friction:

By spiraling the guides, the line has less contact with the rod blank itself, reducing friction and improving casting distance and accuracy. Fewer guides are needed compared to traditional setups, further minimizing line friction and contributing to a smoother casting experience.

 

Enhanced Sensitivity and Responsiveness:

When properly engineered, spiral wrapped rods can be more sensitive and responsive, allowing anglers to feel subtle bites and changes in the lure's action. The reduced weight of the rod due to fewer guides and the efficient line management contribute to this increased sensitivity. 

 

Reduced Line Tangles:

The spiral design minimizes line contact with the rod blank, especially when bent, significantly reducing the chance of line tangles, a common frustration for anglers.

 

Potential for Increased Leverage:

In some cases, the spiral wrap design may allow for a more direct and powerful pull on the fish, leading to improved leverage and potentially making it easier to land larger or more stubborn fish.

 

 

I'll add one more benefit of spiral wrap guides...it's pretty well a "must have" when using a baitcaster for floatfishing (eg.. for Steelhead). The reduced friction and minimal line contact with the rod blank make it easier to effectively trot a float...especially in sub-zero temps when icing becomes an issue.

I also like the configuration for downrigging....I have an ancient pair of Fenwick "RiggerSticks" that came from the factory with the "twist"...still my favourites.

Congrats on the 50 years, Spiel...I assume like a fine wine your work has only got better with age !

Edited July 28 by CrowMan

[Spiel]

4 hours ago, CrowMan said:

I'll add one more benefit of spiral wrap guides...it's pretty well a "must have" when using a baitcaster for floatfishing (eg.. for Steelhead). The reduced friction and minimal line contact with the rod blank make it easier to effectively trot a float...especially in sub-zero temps when icing becomes an issue.

I also like the configuration for downrigging....I have an ancient pair of Fenwick "RiggerSticks" that came from the factory with the "twist"...still my favourites.

Congrats on the 50 years, Spiel...I assume like a fine wine your work has only got better with age !

Thank you CM.

I've been building spiral wrapped rods since the early 80's. I have specialized ultralights for G'Bay Whites and Lakers, numerous down rigging rods in both length and line ratings (my fave go to is still a 12' spiral wrapped Fenglass from the 80's  ) and absolutely spiral wrapped long rods for bait caster float rods.

They're definitely numerous applications where spiral wrapped builds are the superior choice imo. 

The ole Fenglass awaiting action.....

 

[Barry Willis]

As always very nice Spiel. Your pride in workman ship is unsurpassed. I love that you labeled it the MOOSE.

[Barry Willis]

On 7/28/2025 at 1:21 PM, Spiel said:

Thank you CM.

I've been building spiral wrapped rods since the early 80's. I have specialized ultralights for G'Bay Whites and Lakers, numerous down rigging rods in both length and line ratings (my fave go to is still a 12' spiral wrapped Fenglass from the 80's  ) and absolutely spiral wrapped long rods for bait caster float rods.

They're definitely numerous applications where spiral wrapped builds are the superior choice imo. 

The ole Fenglass awaiting action.....

 

This is a really cool Picture, everything about it, I love it.

[Bill Shearer]

Seeing that pic of the 12'Fenglass rod in the downrigger rod holder, takes me back to many years ago. My favourite rod for that was the 9'8wt Fenwick brown glass fly blank. Never broke one, and landed a ton of chinook and coho back in the day. Brings back many nice memories.

[Barry Willis]

4 minutes ago, Bill Shearer said:

Seeing that pic of the 12'Fenglass rod in the downrigger rod holder, takes me back to many years ago. My favourite rod for that was the 9'8wt Fenwick brown glass fly blank. Never broke one, and landed a ton of chinook and coho back in the day. Brings back many nice memories.

I can certainly relate Bill, Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. Back in the day that I call the good old days. I sure miss them.