Rod builder Loren Soucie wraps the guides on a Maine Fly Co. signature series rod. Wrapping guides is one of the first steps in the rod-building process.

1 / 3: The meticulous process of turning strands of thread into an artistic rod wrapping such as the pattern featured on this custom-made catfish rod requires lots of patience.

Learning to build a quality fishing rod was a process of trial-and-error, Greene says. Gradually, though, he honed the trade, and his custom rods are works of art. Meticulous wrapping available in ...

Greene said he also insists on using top quality threat to wrap the guides onto the rod blank. The more complex custom wrappings with boat and angler names included take more time than basic wraps.

He’d dress the rods like new for the next summer season. Today, many a charter captain in Hampton Roads sports a custom rod with the name of their boat woven into the wraps.

Learning curve Learning to build a quality fishing rod was a process of trial-and-error, Greene says. Gradually, though, he honed the trade, and his custom rods are works of art.