Bamboo Building: Part One

I know that it is a bit late to be starting a winter project with the trout season just a fortnight away but it was necessary. I don't have any small stream fly rods anymore, only my Orvis 8 weight sits in the tackle room. I sold all the others to free up some cash for a move, which has yet to happen. Last week I decided that I would finally build myself a small stream bamboo stick. This evening I spent the guts of three hours sanding the 6'6" 3-4 weight Fosters English taper blank, that I purchased from Chapmans, to make the ferrules and reel seat fit, which they do very nicely. Next step: glue the cork.