CraftrqglJnusual Bodkrns Takea breakfromtyingflies,andhavefunmaking theseaftfultools.byTomKeer
Iittle works of les of exotic wood but I make mine raps. They don't US or money to make, and they add a little flair to an otherwise boring tool bin. I got the idea to make dubbing needles from a friend, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt.Maj. Tim Didas.Tim was stationed in Yuma, Arizona, where he found a small piece of saguarocactusthat's the cactus that stands like a scarecrow. He pulled off a section of the dried cactusrib, and cleaned off the dirt and grime. Next, he drilled a pinhole in the end of the rib, epoxied a needle in place, and applied a few coatsofvarnish to the handle. The color of the cactus handle is an exquisite Iight brown, and it was a wonderful Christmas present. While my exploits are far less dramatic than those of my friend in the marines, I have made severalbodkins using a variety of materials. My favorite is crafted from the tip of an old split-cane fly art or
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rod. I noticed the tip sectionin the corner of an antiquesshop, but there was no mid or butt section. It was a tired old piece,with alligatoredvarnish and a set that would add new meaning to the term "curve cast."While tne sectronwas unusable for fishing, it was perfect for making a few bodkins, and it cost only a buck. I played around with different versions of bamboohandled bodkins. On one I removed the snake guide, and then sanded and varnished the cane; on another, I left the old guide and thread wraps intact. A friend of mine dressed up a third bodkin by installing a diminutive cork handle to make the entire t h i n gl o o k l i k e a m i n i a ture fly rod. A broken graphite rod tip also works like a champ.Like most tiers. I store a bodkin with the pointed end down so I don't get stabbed when reaching for the tool. The tip-top guide is easyto see and grasp when I need to use my bodkin. You can recycle many other matedals into artful bodkins that will make you smile every