Cutting the Blank

• 1). Check the taper.The taper of the blank is how the diameter changes from the butt (where the handle is attached) to the tip. A fly rod has a "slow" taper--the diameter changes slowly from the butt to the tip to allow the whole rod to flex in a gentle arc to cast fly line. A typical spinning rod has a "fast" taper--the butt section has a larger diameter that extends through most of its length, and then the diameter in the portion near the tip decreases quickly so you can accurately flip a bait or lure wherever you want.
  
  
• 2). Measure the fly rod blank. Fly rods are typically 9 feet long or more, while a spinning rod is usually about 5 feet long. If you are stuck with a fly rod blank but wanted a spinning rod, cut the blank from one end about a foot longer than you normally would for a spinning rod. If you cut it from the tip, it will be stiffer. If you cut it from the butt, it will be lighter and more flexible. Depending on the taper of your blank, decide whether you want it stiffer or more flexible.
  
  
• 3). Wrap the blank with masking tape. Wind a piece of masking tape around the area you are going to cut. This will keep the blank from splintering when you cut it. Wrap firmly about twice around the blank, then mark with a pencil, marker or pen where you are going to cut the blank.
  
  
• 4). Place the cutting guide on the mark where you are going to cut. A cutting guide is a guide for the saw blade so you make a perfectly square cut. If you don't have one, join two pieces of board (1 inch by 2 inches by 2 inches) at a 90-degree angle in an "L" shape. Place the blank on the inside angle of the "L" so the cutting mark lines up with one end of the guide. You can also use a bookshelf or square countertop as a cutting guide.
  
  
• 5). Saw the blank. Using the edges of the "L" to keep your saw blade square, start sawing through the blank. Go slowly because as soon as you cut through the top, the saw will be cutting vertically through both sides of the blank. This is where it is most likely to splinter, so saw gently.