This first picture shows the difference in the butt sections between the two styles of rods available. The rod on top is the Classic Western Series. This is a full flexing rod, one that some say you can feel the heartbeat of a fish through the handle. Even though it's full flexing it is not what you could consider a slow rod, rather what I'd describe as a medium action. The lower rod is the Eastern Series. These are both 4 wt rods, so you can plainly see there is a drastic difference in the tapers of the two rods. The Eastern Series has a smooth even flexing tip, but a strong butt section with a swell going into the grip. Both of these rods are capable of casting an enourmous amount of line and both are available in the length and line weights listed below. The rods are finished with what I consider the best available varnish. The varnish I use is the same varnish many of the classic makers used. It's hard to argue with it's durability or capability to protect a rod when you see some of the near mint classics of 30 to 50 years ago that were finished with this same varnish. While I realize that nothing can be absolutely, positively perfect, I do my best to insure that the varnish on each rod is flawless.

All of my reel seats, both the hardware and the filler, are made here in my shop, as are the ferrules. Most of the woods I use are obtained locally, however, I can get even the most expensive exotic woods for reel seats if you desire. Note the glasslike finish on this reel seat. That is my standard, however, I will do a matte finished reel seat on request. Since all of my rods are designed for trout and panfish, then all of my hardware is a classic Cap and Ring, similar to those from one era of the H.L. Leonard Rod Company.

Guide windings are limited to the following: Main wraps; Scarlet with no tipping or with black tipping OR Dark Honey with Dark Brown tipping. These are colors that I feel look best on a rod, and the combinations offered can make a striking rod on either a flamed or a blonde finish. You can see some of the combinations in the pictures above. All of my guide wraps are done with what I consider the finest silk available.

Both the ferrules and the reel seat hardware can be either polished out to a bright finish or blackened chemically for a more classic look. The agent I use to blacken my hardware is not available anywhere but my shop. It is a compound that I mix and I do make it available to other rodmakers. It leaves the hardware with a beautiful, durable dark finish, similar to that on the hardware of many of the classic rods of the past.

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There is a Non-Refundable $250 deposit required when placing an order for a flyrod. When the rod is ordered, I will give you an approximate date of completion and will keep you apprised of the progress on your rod. Payments may be made on the rod during it's making if the customer would like to do that, otherwise, the balance of the sale price will be due before the rod is shipped. While I know many advertise they can make a rod for you in a short amount of time, I put between 40 and 60 hours of work in each rod and those hours will be spread over many weeks, while waiting for glues to set, varnishes to cure, etc. I will NOT rush the completion of a rod, as I would rather take many months making it perfect than to rush one out in just a few weeks. Because of the kind of varnish I use, each coat requires an extended period of time to dry, so just the varnishing process itself can take as long as 30 to 60 days. The only exception to this is that there may be times that I have the blank you desire already made and it only requires wrapping and varnishing. If everything goes well, then I can have a rod out in a relatively short period of time.

Upon completion of your rod, you will be notified that it's ready to ship and be asked to remit the balance due at that time. When you receive your rod, you will have a 7 day inspection period during which you may notify me if you wish to return the rod for any reason. Notification must be made either by telephone or in writing within 7 days of receiving the rod and if returned, the rod must be returned to me in original condition with no damage whatsoever, within 14 days of your receiving it. If you choose to return the rod, it will be accepted only if it is in the same condition in which it was shipped from this shop. Upon receipt of the returned rod and verification of the rods condition, your money will be returned, minus any shipping costs incurred by this shop, no questions asked. No unconditional returns will be allowed outside the 7 day notification and 14 day return window under any conditions.