Rod handle building workshop

Rodhouse's take on this workshop

Three hours of guided practice beat ten hours of YouTube tutorials: we built this format around a maximum group of 3 so each participant leaves with the technique in hand, not just the concepts in mind. If you've been hesitating to get into rod building, this is the place to start.

A 3-hour session to assemble your first handle

Learn in 3 hours how to design and assemble a complete rod handle, guided by a Rodhouse expert. The session is built to give you the essentials of handle building and the autonomy to handle your own future projects, whether starting from individual handle components or ready-to-build handle packs.

Workshop programme

1. The fundamentals of handle assembly

• Identify the different handle types: casting, spinning, split grip, full grip.
• Discover the handle components and their specifics depending on your style: reel seats, grips and butts.
• Adapt the build to your use: fishing style, power, action, bank or boat fishing.

2. Hands-on practice

• Find and use the spine of the blank: method, purpose and impact on the final build.
• Handle the materials and understand the role of each component.
• Full hands-on practice to absorb the right moves and pro tips.

3. Assembling a performance handle

• Pick the right components for your style and your blank.
• Assemble a clean, balanced and durable handle.
• Master the finishing touches for an aesthetic and long-lasting result.

How your session at the Sarzeau workshop works

• Duration: 3 hours.
• Location: Rodhouse, 4 Impasse de l'Île aux Oiseaux, 56370 Sarzeau (France).
• Level: no prerequisites, accessible to beginners and experienced anglers alike.
• Small group: maximum 3 participants for personalised guidance.
• All materials provided on site.
• Q&A session with a Rodhouse instructor at the end of the workshop.

What you take away from the workshop

• A simple and effective method to build a complete handle.
• Practical reference points to choose and fit your components.
• The right reflexes to gain autonomy on your next builds.

Once the workshop is over, you can extend the experience with our free rod building tutorials, by testing our rod configurator, or by starting your first project right away with the Rodhouse Starter Pack.

Bonus: 20% off the second session

Book two sessions at once and enjoy 20% off the second. You can also combine this workshop with another from our in-person rod building workshops catalogue, covering guide wrapping, thread work or building a complete rod.