Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Time: Meeting Time 6 – 9 pm (6-7 pm social hour) with meeting from 7-9 pm.
Meeting Location: The Pit Room BBQ located at 10301-A Katy Fwy, Houston 77024 beside Fishing Tackle Unlimited.
Important: We are evaluating alternative meeting locations due to noise issues at the Pit Room. A meeting notification / reminder will be sent if location changes for the February meeting.
Have you hear ever wondered about building your own fly rod? Are you “build curious”? Are you interested but apprehensive? Have you heard of fly rod building classes but really not understood what’s involved, or what tools, resources and skills you need? If so, come hear our own Steve Tomlinson as he shares practical information on all things build related!
Steve is a retired Manufacturing Professional, having started as a toolmaker, and progressing through machining & metrology, manufacturing engineering, shop / executive management and process consulting roles. He brings a “process mindset” to rod building. He is originally from Bayside, NY where he grew up building & flying RC and CL model airplanes among other interests. After moving to the Capitol District from the Berkshires and Syracuse NY, he acquired the fly fishing affliction. He became addicted to fly fishing the Battenkill, Beaverkill, Esopus, West Branch of the Ausable, and Delaware rivers. He was bitten by the steelhead bug in 2014 and tries to fish Walnut Creek in Erie, PA every year. He has dabbled in saltwater but his first love is freshwater and enjoys kayaking!
In 2014 he was inspired and trained by Kenny Murph (FTU) to build his first fly rod, and has since built over 30 rods. He has documented all aspects of the build PROCESS including resources, steps, spacing guides, etc.
His build philosophy stresses process consistency, form following function and above all, precision in detail.
He is a long standing TFF member, Reel Recovery volunteer, fly tier, and avid woodworker / photographer. He lives in Spring with his wife, has two grown kids in Houston, and a granddaughter (with another on the way!)
Steve will cover rationale for build, tools required, and break down the build PROCESS into seven simple steps. He will also cover resources and simple repairs like replacing a guide / tip top.
The Seven Steps are:
1. Selecting the proper components and components, planning your build
2. Finding the Blank “spine”
3. Preparing and affixing the reel seat and grip
4. Preparing the guides: shaping feet, marking guide position
5. Affixing the guides & basic thread wrapping
6. Mixing Flex Coat, application & curing
7. Decals / epoxy coating “label” area
Steve will have contact information for participants to secure all materials needed.
Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Time: Meeting Time 6 – 9 pm (6-7 pm social hour) with meeting from 7-9 pm.
Meeting Location: The Pit Room BBQ located at 10301-A Katy Fwy, Houston 77024 beside Fishing Tackle Unlimited.
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