A Special Rod

Over the past many years, I have acquired a lot of components that were set aside for something special. This past year I have taken all those parts and incorporated them into a rod.

The taper chosen reflects a belief that all rod materials have a sweet spot where they perform the very best. For me, a 7'9" length in a five weight.  represents the pinnacle.

During the past 35 years of rod building, some exceptional bamboo culms have passed through the shop. One stuck around for just this rod. Straight grain, shallow nodes and deep power fibers made it a keeper for something special. 

The 18K gold hookkeeper was a gift from a goldsmith friend with whom I fished  for many years.

The cork rings were selected from the hundreds that have passed through my hands. Each cork had to be as clear as possible requiring no filling to hide blemishes.

The reel seat and ferrules were constructed by Tony Young, a fellow rodmaker from Australia. The material for both is AMS 4640 Nickel Aluminum Bronze alloy. The alloy is a gold colour. The red hardwood insert is in harmony with the other gold/red components.

The snake guides and tip tops are the finest quality available in the world. Hopkins and Holloway of the England produce the Hard Chrome snake guide treated with a Titanium Nitride coating. The process doesn’t use argon gas as a shield which gives each guide a gold colour.  A red agate stripper guide rounded out the guide choice.

The wrap colour plus a tiny trim wrap in dark purple blends everything together.

Like the rod, the case is something special from master craftsman Robert Cochrane. Each case is constructed of hand curried English Bridle leather simply unmatched for rich, deep colour and texture. The HAND SEWN leather rod cases are  constructed to standards and techniques set in stone by early 1900 leather Masters and features butted edges decorative slanted stitch unique to hand sewn work. The case features include both a shoulder strap and stout leather handle. The fittings are all brass.

If you desire a one of one, this is it. There will be no others.

Price $2450.00 - SOLD