Rod Building Program


Learn a new skill!  Build a fly rod with the components YOU want!  Maybe even save money!

The GGACC Rod Building Program workshops consist of six meetings, held at the clubhouse one evening over the course of eight weeks.  Each meeting will cover a different aspect of rod building, and you’ll apply what you learn to a rod blank you’re actively building.  At the end of the work shop you’ll have a finished fly rod of which you can be proud.

Topics include: choosing a new blank and components; assembling and gluing up reel seats, aligning rod sections, constructing cork grips from either preformed grips or individual cork rings, preparing and wrapping guides, and finishing/coating guide wraps with epoxy or varnish.

Each work shop series is limited to six participants with sessions led by the club’s experienced rod builders.  There is a thirty-five-dollar fee for the workshops, and, participants must supply their own blank, reel seat, cork, guides, thread, finish and some simple tools (razor blade, masking tape, glue, etc.)  The club supplies jigs to facilitate rod wrapping and guide coating, rod drying motors, and lathes for turning cork handles.

Mark Johann - GGACC Rod Building Program Chair

mailto:mark@markjohann.com

Upcoming events

    • 11 Mar 2026
    • 29 Apr 2026
    • 6 sessions
    • Anglers Lodge
    • 6

    Rod Building Workshop

    One GGACC rod building workshop is being offered this spring for current
    club members consisting of six meetings, held at the clubhouse one
    evening a week over the course of nine weeks.  Meetings will be held
    from 6pm to 8pm on Wednesday.  Each meeting will cover different
    aspects of rod building and you'll apply what you learn to the rod
    blank you're building at that meeting and at home between meetings.

    Topics include:  choosing a rod blank and components; assembling and
    gluing up real seats, aligning rod sections, constructing cork grips,
    preparing and wrapping guides, and coating guide thread wraps.

    Supplies: Participants must supply a graphite or fiberglass rod blank, reel
    seat, cork, guides, thread, thread finish and some simple tools (razor
    blade,masking tape, glue, etc.)  This workshop is geared toward
    building single-handed fiberglass and graphite fly rods only, from all new
    materials.  Rod repair or rod reconditioning services are not offered
    here.  The club supplies rod wrapping jigs and rod drying motor that
    you will take home between meetings.

    Online enrollment will begin at 8:00 AM on March 1 on the Events 
    Calendar at www.ggacc.org.  This class can accommodate only six spaces and fills up quickly.

    The first workshop will begin on March 11.  

    Costs: $35

    Cancellation Policy:  There are no refunds.  In the event that a member is, for any reason, unable to attend, he may resell his slot to another GGACC member (by first pulling from the waitlist if one exists).  It is the sole responsibility of the member to manage this transaction.  This is not the responsibility of the leader but I'll be happy to work with you on finding a replacement.


    Mark Johann   mark@markjohann.com



Questions? Please direct your inquiries to the appropriate mail box:

General Information:
club.ggacc@gmail.com

Social Media:
ggaccsocial@gmail.com

Learn To Fly Fish Program:
ltff.ggacc@gmail.com

Our Mailing Address:  Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club  ·  P.O. Box 591476  ·  San Francisco, CA 94159

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