New Rods
January 22, 2022
Rod Serial # 018421 – 3 weight – Price $1650
Was looking for a shorter bamboo rod for those little streams we all like to fish. Starting with Payne 98 taper, it was modified for the hollowing process and the taper was smoothed slightly. The rod casts a 3 weight great in my “lawn” test the other day.
| Length | 7’0′ | Serial # | 018421 |
| Line Weight | 3wt. | Pieces | 2 pieces c/w extra tip |
| Reel Seat | Double rings | Insert Wood | Zebra |
| Handle Type | Cigar | Ferrules | Classic Sporting Super Z |
| Strip Guide | Hopkins and Hollowary ceramic bridge guide | Snake Guides | Hopkins and Holloway |
| Rod Finish | Spar Varnish | Wrappings | Tan c/w burgundy trim wraps |
| Fittings Blued | No | Flamed Cane | No |
| Rod Bag | Yes | Aluminum Case | Yes |
| Rod Overbag | No | Amount Used | New |
Click on above for larger image.
Rod Serial # 029016 – 4 weight – Price $1500
This is one of two rods built in 2016 utilizing the Jim Payne model 100 taper. Lawn cast, it is smooth and will reach out to 60′ readily. It is a joy to cast.
| Length | 7’6″ | Serial # | 029016 |
| Line Weight | 4 wt. | Pieces | 2 pieces c/w extra tip |
| Reel Seat | Andersen style cap and ring | Insert Wood | Zebra |
| Handle Type | Cigar | Ferrules | Classic Sporting Super Z |
| Strip Guide | Mildrum Carboly | Snake Guides | Perfection |
| Rod Finish | Spar Varnish | Wrappings | Tan c/w red trim wraps |
| Fittings Blued | No | Flamed Cane | No |
| Rod Bag | Yes | Aluminum Case | Yes |
| Rod Overbag | No | Amount Used | No |
Click on above for larger image.
Rod Serial # 039618 – 4 Weight – Price $1650
This rod is one of the two that were “hollowed out”. Utilizing the same taper for the 3 piece rod, I constructed a 2 piece rod. The weight saving was less for the two 2 piece construction. Took the rod for a lawn test and it seemed very light in the hand.
| Length | 8’0′ | Serial # | 039618 |
| Line Weight | 4 weight line | Pieces | 2 piece c/w 2 tips |
| Reel Seat | Bellinger downlocking nickel silver reel seat | Insert Wood | Walnut |
| Handle Type | Cigar | Ferrules | Classic Super Z’s |
| Strip Guide | Mildrum Carboly | Snake Guides | Hopkins and Holloway |
| Rod Finish | Spar Varnish | Wrappings | Tan c/w brown trim |
| Fittings Blued | No | Flamed Cane | No |
| Rod Bag | Yes | Aluminum Case | Yes |
| Rod Overbag | No | Amount Used | New |
Click on above for larger image
Rod Serial # 029615 – 3/4 Weight – Price $1500
This taper was provided to me by one of the most inventive eastern US bamboo rod builders – Tom Smithwick. This is a honey of a taper. I have test cast this rod with both 3 and 4 weight double taper line and they work very well. Last year with Tom’s consent, advice and support I made two similar rods. One butt section supported two tips is a one weight tip and the other a two weight tip. The other butt section a three and four weight tips. Both rods found good homes immediately. Rather than attempt another 1/2 weight rod that would be seen by many as a novelty. I chose to build the original 3 weight taper. Tom cautioned me that he found the rod carried a 4 weight as well and he’s bang on right.
| Length | 8’0″ | Serial # | 029615 |
| Line Weight | 3/4 wt. | Pieces | 2 peices c/w extra tip |
| Reel Seat | Andersen style cap and ring | Insert Wood | Spalted Sycamore Imprenated |
| Handle Type | Cigar | Ferrules | Classic Super Z’s |
| Strip Guide | Mildrum Carboly | Snake Guides | Hopkins and Holloway |
| Rod Finish | Spar Varnish | Wrappings | Tan c/w Brown Tipping |
| Fittings Blued | No | Flamed Cane | No |
| Rod Bag | Yes | Aluminum Case | Yes |
| Rod Overebag | No | Amount Used | New |
Click on above for larger image.
Rod Serial # 029319 – 3/4 Weight. Hollow Construction – Price $1800
I finished this rod in 2019 and I really like the it with a 4 weight line. However, it also cast a 3 weight well. The rod was accurate at all distances out to about 65′. The rod is a 3 piece hollow construction using 0.070″ side walls. The rod feels light in the hand as one might expect.
| Length | 8’0″ | Serial # | 029319 |
| Line Weight | 3/4 wt/ | Pieces | 3 piece c/w extra tip |
| Reel Seat | Andersen Style Cap and Ring | Insert Wood | Zebra |
| Handle Type | Cigar | Ferrules | Classic Super Z’s |
| Strip Guide | Mildrum Carboly | Snake Guides | Hopkins and Holloway |
| Rod Finish | Sapr Varnish | Wrappings | Tan c/w burgundy tipping |
| Fittings Blued | No | Flamed Cane | No |
| Rod Bag | Yes | Aluminum Case | Yes |
| Rod Overbag | No | Amount Used | New |
Click on above to get a larger image.
Rod Serial # 049021H – 7’6″ – 4/5 Weight. Hollow Construction – $1800
I lined this rod with both a 4 and a 5 weight and its cast both well although I liked the 4 weight a little better. It is accurate and will handle casts of 60′. The hollow construction makes the rod feel more responsive in the hand.
| Length | 7’6″ | Serial # | 049021H |
| Line Weight | 4/5 wt. | Pieces | 3 piece c/w extra tip |
| Reel Seat | Bellinger Reel Seat with impregnated wood insert | Insert Wood | Impregnated burl |
| Handle Type | Cigar | Ferrules | Classic Super Z’s |
| Strip Guide | Mildrum Carboloy | Snake Guides | Hopkins and Holloway |
| Rod Finish | Spar Varnish | Wrappings | Tan c/w burgundy tipping |
| Fittings Blued | No | Flamed Cane | No |
| Rod Bag | Yes | Aluminum Case | Yes |
| Rod Over bag | No | Amount Used | New |
Click on above to get a larger image.
Rod Serial # 019321H – 7’9″ – 5 Weight. Hollow Construction – Price $1800
This is a 3 piece configuration of the very popular 7’9″ 5 wt. of which I have made about 50 rods. The blank is hollowed in scallops to reduce swing weight. The hollowing required slight compensation in the taper. The rod was lawn cast and feels light in the hand. I made a number of casts >60′ and the rod tracks true making it very accurate.
| Length | 7’9″ | Serial # | 019321H |
| Line Weight | 5 wt. | Pieces | 3 piece c/w extra tip |
| Reel Seat | Andersen Style Cap and Ring | Insert Wood | Zebra Hardwood |
| Handle Type | Cigar | Ferrules | Classic Super Z’s |
| Strip Guide | Mildrum Carboly | Snake Guides | Hopkins and Holloway |
| Rod Finish | Sapr Varnish | Wrappings | Tan c/w red trim wraps |
| Fittings Blued | No | Flamed Cane | No |
| Rod Bag | Yes | Aluminum Case | Yes |
| Rod Overbag | No | Amount Used | New |
Click on above to get a larger image
CROSS OVER RODS
Rod Serial # 019618 – 6 Weight – Price $1500
This taper was developed for fishing the windy areas of southern Alberta. It is a mild parabolic derived from the Paul Young tapers. After making several of these, I finally made one I was happy with. The rod after so much playing around was called THE PLAN. I’ve built two of this taper for the 2017-18 season. One is offered for sale and the other became a donation rod to the Edmonton Trout Unlimited Chapter Lloyd Shea Fund.
| Length | 8’0″ | Serial # | 019618 |
| Weight | 6 weight | Pieces | 2 pieces c/w extra tip |
| Reel Seat | Andersen Cap and Ring | Insert Wood | Maple |
| Handle Type | Half Wells | Ferrules | Classic Sporting Enterprises Super Z |
| Strip Guide | Mildrum Carboly | Snake Guides | Hopkins and Holloway |
| Rod Finish | Spar Varnish | Wrappings | Tan c/w dark brown tipping |
| Fittings Blued | No | Flamed Cane | No |
| Rod Bag | Yes | Aluminum Case | Yes |
| Rod Overbag | No | Amount Used | New |
Click on above to get a larger image.
Heavier Trout or Lake Rods
This is a series of rod tapers that have been designed to cast 6 weight lines. Personally, the 6 weight lines covers all my needs. When I fish lakes, I generally have two rods strung ready to go. One with floating line with either a floater, hover or rate 2>6 sinking line.
Rod Serial #029611- 6 Weight – Price $1500
This is a Dickerson 8015 taper that is a new one to me and from the butt dimensions, it and does cast like a cannon. While I’ve heard the taper is rated for a 6 weight, I would think a 7 weight would work as well. The rod casts very well to 75′ or so.
| Length | 8’0″ | Serial # | 029611 |
| Line Weight | 6 weight line | Pieces | 2 piece c/w extra tip |
| Reel Seat | Andersen Cap and Ring | Insert Wood | Zebra |
| Handle Type | Full Wells | Ferrules | Classic Super Z’s |
| Strip Guide | Mildrum Carboly | Snake Guides | Perfection |
| Rod Finish | Hand rubbed Oil Finish | Wrappings | Tan wrapping with brown trim |
| Fittings Blued | No | Flamed Cane | No |
| Rod Bag | Yes | Aluminum Case | Yes |
| Rod Overbag | No | Amount Used | New |
Click on above picture for larger image.
Rod Serial #049610 – 6 weight – Price $1500
This rod is a personal favourite taper. The Para 15 is described as a Parabolic taper and I use this rod for fishing trout lakes. My personal arsenal contains 4 rods of this taper and over the past 15 years have delivered yoeman performance all over Western Canada.
| Length | 8’0″ | Serial # | 049610 |
| Line Weight | 6 WT. | Pieces | 2 pieces c/w extra tip |
| Reel Seat | Andersen Cap and Ring | Insert Wood | Mesquite |
| Handle Type | Western | Ferrules | Classic Super Z’s |
| Strip Guide | Mildrum Carboly | Snake Guides | Perfection |
| Rod Finish | Sapr Varnish | Wrappings | Tan wrapping with brown tripping |
| Fittings Blued | No | Flamed Cane | No |
| Rod Bag | Yes | Aluminum Case | Yes |
| Rod Overbag | No | Amount Used | New |
Click on above picture to get larger image.
Rod Serial # 029919 – 6 Weight – Price $1500
This taper was developed by west coast angler John Bokstrom. Johns’ taper was designed for cutthroat fishing on the Harrison River and sloughs of the Fraser River when the Coho fry emerge. The rod throws a 6 weight line with authority. The first rod of this taper I built was a request from Mrs. Denny for a rod for her husband. The Denny’s ran the best fly shop I’ve ever been into. Some years later, I was contracted to build another rod for a family member of the Denny’s. I’d forgotten how much I like this rod so this year I made three rods of this taper. Two of them have already found homes.
| Length | 8’3′ | Serial # | 029919 |
| Line Weight | 6 weight line | Pieces | 2 pieces c/w extra tip |
| Reel Seat | Down Locking Reel Seat | Insert Wood | not sure |
| Handle Type | Western | Ferrules | Classic Super Z’s |
| Strip Guide | Hopkins and Holloway | Snake Guides | Hopkins and Holloway |
| Rod Finish | Spar Varnish | Wrappings | Tan wrapping c/w red tipping |
| Fittings Blued | No | Flamed Cane | No |
| Rod Bag | Yes | Aluminum Case | Yes |
| Rod Overbag | No | Amount Used | New |
All pricing is in Canadian Dollars. To get an updated currency quote use: http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Note: A price increase was necessary. I’ve held my prices for the last 20 years while all the materials required to build rods have increased. As a result, my base price is increasing to $1500 with 3 piece rod adding another $150 and hollowing construction a further $150. Also, shipping costs in N. America has increased somewhat. Therefore to ship on the continent is <>$150.00 CDN