Patent ID: 8522472

Claim:
A method of making a fishing rod comprising a rod segment constructed from a rod segment blank having an axis and an outer conical surface tapering from a butt end to a tip end, the method comprising: providing a first flag prepreg of selected dimensions comprising synthetic carbon fibers orientated parallel to one another in a thermoplastic toughened resin matrix; providing a second flag prepreg of selected dimensions comprising synthetic carbon fibers orientated parallel to one another in a thermoplastic toughened resin matrix; creating a kit including wraps of said first flag synthetic fibers generally parallel to said rod segment blank outer conical surface wherein said wraps extend from said butt end to said tip end; said kit further including said second flag prepreg layed upon said first flag prepreg such that said synthetic fibers of said second flag are not parallel to said synthetic fibers of said first flag; wherein said synthetic fibers of said second flag prepreg extend from said butt end to said tip end; wrapping a heat shrink film tape about said kit; curing said flags by application of heat; removing said heat shrink film tape from said cured flags thereby forming said rod segment blank; and, initially wrapping an insulating film about said flags and said heat shrink film tape prior to curing, and then subsequently removing said insulating film after curing.