Thanks for the kind words and especially for the constructive comments. As you all know, when a guy is starting out, not knowing what's going on, having a first effort come out may have as much to do with luck as skill
Medicinewheel - just so I learn, could you explain the thinking behind not tempering a bamboo back? Thanks.
Bubby - thanks for the observation on the nocks. Makes sense. My original plan was to cut up an antler shed I found and use 2 of the blunt points for overlays. Wanted to see if I was able to make a "shooter" before going that far. Another solution might be to wrap the tip, just under the nock, with some thread, sealed with varnish.
PatB - thanks for observations on woods - I'll look into ipe for a belly
TBod - yes, you can make fly rods out of wood. Before bamboo came into common use, that was the standard. Then as bamboo was being introduced, they made rods with wood butts and bamboo tips. Then all bamboo. There is a new-ish book by John Betts on making a flyrod out of wood. Check it out.
Thanks again, all!
lee