Hand crafted in the U.S.A.
Why not enhance the sport you love so much with a custom fly rod made just for you, for how you fish, & unlike any other rod? My rods are available at many different price levels making them some of the best values for top-quality hand made fly rods on the market. For every rod you purchase I offer a five day inspection period in which you can return the rod to me for a full refund -in unused condition- if you decide the rod is not for you. Purchase a custom fly rod from me without risk or worry. No matter if you prefer traditional split-bamboo, or a modern synthetic rod of fiberglass or graphite, when I make a rod for you we work together to get you a fly rod you'll truly enjoy using at a price that won't break the bank. For a completely unique rod I encourage you to look at the mortised rods page. These rods are truly unique & collectable. They are where history meets artistic innovation in the form of a fly rod. Also be sure to check the "available" page to see what completed rods are currently listed. For news from my shop, interesting reading, industry news, book reviews, & a host of other things check out "The Pliant Rod" on this site as well.
My custom fly rods are not mass produced in a factory. I hand craft each & every rod. My split-bamboo fly rods are all hand planed from start to finish. I make many of the components for the rods myself by hand & I focus solely on the quality of materials used. With this as my guiding principal I strive to make my rods from raw materials & components that are MADE IN THE USA, with the exception of the Tonkin bamboo that only grows in a small area of China, the highest quality cork in the world that is grown in Portugal, & the finest Japanese silk available. The rod blanks of all my modern synthetic custom fly rods are made only in the USA. I will always use the best quality materials & components. Whenever possible I buy raw materials & components from small local businesses to support my local economy & to help keep jobs in America. Each rod I make comes with a personal inscription of what ever you want on the rod.
Why buy a fly fishing rod that was built by people halfway around the world you'll never speak to, when you can have your fly rod custom made for you? It will be my privilege to make you the rod you've always wanted & will be proud to own; the fly rod that will be a part of the many beautiful days you spend on the water.
Chris Lantzy, Custom Rod Maker
customrodmaker@gmail.com
My custom fly rods are not mass produced in a factory. I hand craft each & every rod. My split-bamboo fly rods are all hand planed from start to finish. I make many of the components for the rods myself by hand & I focus solely on the quality of materials used. With this as my guiding principal I strive to make my rods from raw materials & components that are MADE IN THE USA, with the exception of the Tonkin bamboo that only grows in a small area of China, the highest quality cork in the world that is grown in Portugal, & the finest Japanese silk available. The rod blanks of all my modern synthetic custom fly rods are made only in the USA. I will always use the best quality materials & components. Whenever possible I buy raw materials & components from small local businesses to support my local economy & to help keep jobs in America. Each rod I make comes with a personal inscription of what ever you want on the rod.
Why buy a fly fishing rod that was built by people halfway around the world you'll never speak to, when you can have your fly rod custom made for you? It will be my privilege to make you the rod you've always wanted & will be proud to own; the fly rod that will be a part of the many beautiful days you spend on the water.
Chris Lantzy, Custom Rod Maker
customrodmaker@gmail.com
"Chris Lantzy has created both beautiful graphite and cane rods for Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing. I am sure that anyone purchasing a rod from Chris would be most pleased."
- Ed Nicholson, President, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc.
- Ed Nicholson, President, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc.
A master fools another one on his custom fly rod
This website is updated often. Last update: January, 2012
Why a custom rod?
So, why purchase a fly rod from a custom maker as opposed to a large company? The reasons are many. First & foremost is the personal attention you'll receive from an individual rod maker. When you purchase your rod from me you won't be another number in a file or sales chart. Both your name & mine are on the rod I make for you. I want you to fish with a rod we can both be proud of. Large tackle manufacturers are guided by many factors when they design a rod. More often than not, it comes down to them choosing between the cost of making a rod & the profit margin for each rod they make, number of rods sold, cost of advertising, etc, etc. While many companies are moving their manufacturing facilities over seas for cheaper labor, my rods are all proudly made in America, by an American. I do not compromise between quality & quantity in my rod making. I focus on quality. This is my guide in all aspects of the rods I make. Unlike the large tackle manufacturers where you buy what they have designed, when you purchase your rod from me we work together to get you a rod designed & made for you specifically. You have control in all aspects of designing your custom fly rod. All this for less than the cost of some of the higher-end manufacturer's prices!!! What sets my rods apart from others? Well, you do. A rod from me will be what you want, not what some corporation thinks you'll like. That's the kind of personal service you get from a custom rod maker. Just like the owners of small fly shops, custom rod makers want you to succeed & enjoy fly fishing. I urge you to support your local, independent fly shop & to consider buying your next rod from a custom rod maker. Together we'll plan a rod that will enhance your time on the water & the sport you love.
To read more about my rod making philosophy, click HERE.
To read more about my rod making philosophy, click HERE.
Please play the slideshow below for a gallery of custom fly rods
These rods are available for sale right now. Go to the "Available" page for more details.
Now Available: 2011 Custom Fly Rod Catalogs. Simply click on the catalog you want to see. You can print these catalogs from your web browser's print function.
2011 Split-Bamboo Catalog
2011 Graphite Catalog
2011 Split-Bamboo Catalog
2011 Graphite Catalog
