I am attaching pics of a rod that is very special to me. My late father custom wrapped this rod in the 80-85' time frame for my mother's father, Col. Nate Adams Ret USAF. Papa was an all about Auburn University Football.
Dad was a pilot for Delta and on a layover in SD in the Mid 70's, when he got the Custom Rod Wrapping 'Bug'. He got 'hooked' watching a guy create, something from nothing, with rod making components...He went on to start Heads or Tails Inc in 1978, a wholesale fishing supply company based out of SE Louisiana.
The blank is a Fenwick GC556, with a Lew's Fuji Speed Fit pistol grip. I do not know what kind of guides. I think the wrap is a 'full diamond'. The reel Papa had on it was a Daiwa Millionaire 3H - retail $29.99 from the stamp on the original box.
I do know that I saw many rods wrapped with this pattern growing up. Many 'Sets' of Big Game fishing rods had it, with many different color combinations and roller guides on the Big Sticks. I had know idea what I was looking at b/c I was around it all the time and was into making model airplanes when not outside and playing organized sports.
I will do some fresh water fishing with this setup after I change out the line on the reel. Spectra is not an option, I might have my thumbs permantly attached if I do so..It will be an adventure casting this short rod with the Lew's pistol grip....I just want one pic with a nice bass and the rod then it goes back into the cloth Fenwick Bag with the unopened top water lures from the tackle box I got.
That is a treasure for sure. Excellent craftsmanship with a great story. When you are able to finally connect with that lunker, it's going to be a great fight with that trigger handle. Thanks for sharing the story and good luck getting it bent!