I will, from time to time, post rods that are available for sale. All rods are sold on a first come, first served basis. If you see something you want contact me & I will hold the rod for 10 days until I receive your payment. You can purchase the rod either by paying the total price in one payment, or you can put a down payment of 1/2 the total price (includes shipping) to hold the rod in your name, with the remainder due in thirty days. You have a 5 day inspection period in which you can return the rod for a full refund (less shipping) to me -in unused condition- if you decide the rod is not for you. Purchase a rod without risk or worry. Please scroll down the page to see all currently available rods.
Payment is in US currency only by check or money order. Your items ship as soon as your check clears.
(Offerings are subject to change in price or withdrawn without notice.)
customrodmaker@gmail.com
Payment is in US currency only by check or money order. Your items ship as soon as your check clears.
(Offerings are subject to change in price or withdrawn without notice.)
customrodmaker@gmail.com
This website is updated often. Last update: October, 2018.
available for sale
7'-6", 3 pc / 2 tip, 4/5 wt
Classical series bamboo
(click on any photo for a larger image)
Here is a true gem of a fly rod! New & never fished, this 7'-6", 3/2 rod is sunshine all the way - both in appearance & feel. It has a very moderate / fast action. It feels light in the hand & very responsive in the tip. It's the kind of rod you'll enjoy casting & fishing all day long. It features a smooth, progressive action meaning that the more power you give it, the farther down the rod it will bend. Give it just a flick of the wrist to cast the leader only, perhaps, or put more power to it for distances or against the wind. You can imagine how a rod action like this will give you so much more control. Made for a 4 or 5 weight line, I believe this rod is going to be right at home on almost any trout stream & that most anglers are really going to love fishing with it. Dry flies, wets, nymphs, & small streamers, this rod will fish them all equally well.
This rod features:
- Down locking cap & ring style reel seat with aluminum hardware & a gorgeous Amboyna burl wood spacer.
- Cigar shaped cork grip.
- Nickle Silver winding check (in front of grip).
- Nickle Silver strap & ring style traditional hook keeper.
- Chromed, stainless steel stripping guide, line guide, & tip tops.
- Orange silk thread wraps throughout, tipped in black silk.
- Nickle Silver ferrules.
- Custom made rod bag featuring a traditional angling print.
- Custom made PVC brown canvas-covered rod tube with padded ends, zippered closure, & leather tag describing the rod inside.
- Down locking cap & ring style reel seat with aluminum hardware & a gorgeous Amboyna burl wood spacer.
- Cigar shaped cork grip.
- Nickle Silver winding check (in front of grip).
- Nickle Silver strap & ring style traditional hook keeper.
- Chromed, stainless steel stripping guide, line guide, & tip tops.
- Orange silk thread wraps throughout, tipped in black silk.
- Nickle Silver ferrules.
- Custom made rod bag featuring a traditional angling print.
- Custom made PVC brown canvas-covered rod tube with padded ends, zippered closure, & leather tag describing the rod inside.
As mentioned above, this reel seat has a gorgeous exotic wood spacer made of Amboyna burl. This wood is usually reserved only for my higher grade Custom Series rods, but I couldn't resist using it on this rod. I think you'll agree this makes for one of the best looking reel seats you can have on a fly rod.
This rod not only has strikingly good looks, it feels great to cast, too. That's why I think any trout fly angler would treasure this rod. If you have any questions about it, please feel free to contact me & I'll be happy to help in any way that I can. This fly rod would be a great addition to your arsenal & I'm certain it's going to make for some lovely days on the water. I offer it here at a reduced price from the Classical Series line of rods.
Price: $850.00 + $25 shipping & insurance (to lower 48 states, other locations please inquire about shipping costs)
Price: $850.00 + $25 shipping & insurance (to lower 48 states, other locations please inquire about shipping costs)
(restored) south bend model 59-9
3 pc / 1 tip, 9'-0", 6/7 wt.
(click on any photo for a larger image)
Now available is this completely restored vintage South Bend model 59-9 bamboo fly rod. Unlike most 59-9's I've handled, this one has a very moderate / fast action. While it's a heavier rod like all 59-9 rods (compared to modern standards) this is not a lazy rod. It's certainly no buggy whip. In fact, this rod can cast a line quite a distance. As a 6 or 7 wt rod, it would be great for larger trout or bass.
Improvements made to this rod during restoration include:
-Rod shafts completely re-varnished.
-New, & more, chromed stainless steel line guides added to the rod. Now it has the proper number of guides - & in the right locations - to cast a line better than it ever did before.
-Bamboo rod sections have been straightened. When assembled, the rod sections line up straight. Bends & sets in the bamboo have been removed.
-New red silk thread guide wraps tipped in fine black silk.
-New hook keeper.
-Original "Comficient" grip, reel seat, & original agate stripping guide cleaned & polished.
-A new custom-fit red flannel rod bag with black embellishment stitches & a new custom-fit black canvas covered PVC rod tube with leather tag have been added to this rod.
-Rod shafts completely re-varnished.
-New, & more, chromed stainless steel line guides added to the rod. Now it has the proper number of guides - & in the right locations - to cast a line better than it ever did before.
-Bamboo rod sections have been straightened. When assembled, the rod sections line up straight. Bends & sets in the bamboo have been removed.
-New red silk thread guide wraps tipped in fine black silk.
-New hook keeper.
-Original "Comficient" grip, reel seat, & original agate stripping guide cleaned & polished.
-A new custom-fit red flannel rod bag with black embellishment stitches & a new custom-fit black canvas covered PVC rod tube with leather tag have been added to this rod.
I was able to retain the original South Bend label, which is still 100% intact. In addition, the original factory ink indicating the model was also retained intact. It also has it's original factory ferrules, too.
We can roughly date this rod to the 1950's from it's reel seat. It has one of the more rare & desirable marbled Bakelite spacers in a gorgeous yellow / cream color. For those of you not familiar with this style of reel seat, the reel is secured onto the rod by tightening up an internal screw from the butt of the rod.
There are just a few minor cosmetic issues with the rod that will not effect it's performance in any way. I feel I must mention these minor details in honesty & fairness to you. Please look closely at the photos below.
-The rod is 1 1/2" short, as the ferrule stations had to be re-cut. When I acquired this rod, the ferrules were loose & so I removed & re-cut the bamboo under the ferrules for a more secure fit of the metal to bamboo. Both the tip & mid sections are 3/4" short.
-There is a gouge in the cork just above the reel seat. This is common damage with these "comficient" grips.
-There's a small hairline crack in the top ring of the reel seat. It's a surface crack only & not all the way through. Also this top ring is slightly cocked to the left. It was made this way at the factory, so your reel will sit on the rod cocked ever so slightly to the left.
-There are a couple of tool marks on the butt section ferrule. I did not buff them out for fear of removing the chrome.
All in all these are minor items & you would expect to see many more issues on a 60+ year old fly rod.
-The rod is 1 1/2" short, as the ferrule stations had to be re-cut. When I acquired this rod, the ferrules were loose & so I removed & re-cut the bamboo under the ferrules for a more secure fit of the metal to bamboo. Both the tip & mid sections are 3/4" short.
-There is a gouge in the cork just above the reel seat. This is common damage with these "comficient" grips.
-There's a small hairline crack in the top ring of the reel seat. It's a surface crack only & not all the way through. Also this top ring is slightly cocked to the left. It was made this way at the factory, so your reel will sit on the rod cocked ever so slightly to the left.
-There are a couple of tool marks on the butt section ferrule. I did not buff them out for fear of removing the chrome.
All in all these are minor items & you would expect to see many more issues on a 60+ year old fly rod.
Honestly, this is one of the finer 59-9 rods I've cast a line on & it's in great shape. The bamboo is intact with no gaps or glue lines. The original agate stripping guide is in excellent condition. There's still a lot more life in this rod & many fish for it to catch!
Even though I've made a new rod bag for it, I'll include the original rod bag with the rod. Though faded, the original cloth label remains intact on it.
Even though I've made a new rod bag for it, I'll include the original rod bag with the rod. Though faded, the original cloth label remains intact on it.
Please contact me with any questions you have about this rod.
Price: $195.00 +$25 shipping & insurance (to lower 48 states. Other locations please inquire about shipping costs)
SALE PENDING
Price: $195.00 +$25 shipping & insurance (to lower 48 states. Other locations please inquire about shipping costs)
SALE PENDING
10'-0" 5 / 6 wt, 4 pc, custom series graphite
(click on any photo for a larger image)
Now available is this new, never fished 10’-0”, 4 pc, 5/6 wt Custom Series Graphite fly rod. It has only ever been lawn cast. This is a unique rod. Being made on a Thomas & Thomas DNA Switch rod blank, but made for single handed casting, this rod will throw a line a country mile! The medium fast action of this rod is amazingly smooth. Even though I made this rod for one handed casting, check out the reviews around the web about the T&T DNA Switch rods & I’m sure you’ll be impressed. T&T are making the finest graphite rod blanks on the market today, & this one is no exception.
The 10’ length of this rod is perfect for those of you who like to use the “high stick nymphing” techniques. It will allow for better line control on the water & mending of the line. The power of the rod will also allow you to cast larger, heavier flies than a “normal” 5 wt would, though delicate dry flies will cast nicely on this rod as well. This power will also aid you in casting in windy conditions, too. Plus, this rod will roll cast fantastically - especially good for when you need to deliver the fly a good distance, but have no room for a back cast. Because the action of this rod is progressive (meaning the more power you give it, the farther down the rod it will bend) you can get to cruising fish quickly with a flick of the rod.
This rod features:
-Modified Welles cork grip. I find this shape to be much more comfortable on longer, mid-weight rods while also allowing for more line control.
-Nickel Silver reel seat hardware with a gorgeous flamed Redwood spacer. The detailed grain of the Redwood seems to take on different characteristics in different lighting. The down-locking, screw lock reel seat helps to balance out the rod & keep the reel securely in place. The metal features very fine rope braid details.
-Blued, or darkened, Nickel-Silver winding check in front of grip.
-Blued, Nickel-Silver “strap & ring” style hook keeper.
-Real stone agate stripping guide in a Nickel-Silver bezel that has been blued by hand. The dark red striated stone was chosen to match the color of the wraps.
-Black line guides & tip top.
-Burgundy silk thread wraps throughout the rod & coated in a true varnish, just like a fine bamboo rod.
-Custom fit black cotton flannel rod bag with matching burgundy decorative stitches.
-Black powder-coated aluminum rod tube with real brass end caps.
This is the highest grade of rod that I make.
The 10’ length of this rod is perfect for those of you who like to use the “high stick nymphing” techniques. It will allow for better line control on the water & mending of the line. The power of the rod will also allow you to cast larger, heavier flies than a “normal” 5 wt would, though delicate dry flies will cast nicely on this rod as well. This power will also aid you in casting in windy conditions, too. Plus, this rod will roll cast fantastically - especially good for when you need to deliver the fly a good distance, but have no room for a back cast. Because the action of this rod is progressive (meaning the more power you give it, the farther down the rod it will bend) you can get to cruising fish quickly with a flick of the rod.
This rod features:
-Modified Welles cork grip. I find this shape to be much more comfortable on longer, mid-weight rods while also allowing for more line control.
-Nickel Silver reel seat hardware with a gorgeous flamed Redwood spacer. The detailed grain of the Redwood seems to take on different characteristics in different lighting. The down-locking, screw lock reel seat helps to balance out the rod & keep the reel securely in place. The metal features very fine rope braid details.
-Blued, or darkened, Nickel-Silver winding check in front of grip.
-Blued, Nickel-Silver “strap & ring” style hook keeper.
-Real stone agate stripping guide in a Nickel-Silver bezel that has been blued by hand. The dark red striated stone was chosen to match the color of the wraps.
-Black line guides & tip top.
-Burgundy silk thread wraps throughout the rod & coated in a true varnish, just like a fine bamboo rod.
-Custom fit black cotton flannel rod bag with matching burgundy decorative stitches.
-Black powder-coated aluminum rod tube with real brass end caps.
This is the highest grade of rod that I make.
Most anglers are going to enjoy this rod as a 5 wt, though some will also appreciate it with a 6 wt line on it. I've marked it as a 5 wt rod, but after test casting it I believe both 5 & 6 weight lines will work very well on the rod. If you prefer, you may like to use a weight forward line - especially when you want to really reach out there with this rod. Because of its length & action it will be exceptionally good at picking line up off the water.
You cannot buy this rod as a single handed rod from T&T as it is here, so this is truly a unique offering. For those of you who like the power & feel of a smooth, longer rod, but don’t want the longer grip & extra rear grip that switch rods use, this single handed rod is for you. Even a mediocre caster, like myself, will have no problem getting longer casts with this fly rod. In the hands of a competent fly caster, the results with this rod will be amazing.
Please contact me with any questions you have about this rod.
(New & made up as a 2-handed rod with lesser grade components, these rods sell for $900 from T&T)
Price: $820.00 + $25 shipping & insurance (to lower 48 states, other locations please inquire about shipping costs)
You cannot buy this rod as a single handed rod from T&T as it is here, so this is truly a unique offering. For those of you who like the power & feel of a smooth, longer rod, but don’t want the longer grip & extra rear grip that switch rods use, this single handed rod is for you. Even a mediocre caster, like myself, will have no problem getting longer casts with this fly rod. In the hands of a competent fly caster, the results with this rod will be amazing.
Please contact me with any questions you have about this rod.
(New & made up as a 2-handed rod with lesser grade components, these rods sell for $900 from T&T)
Price: $820.00 + $25 shipping & insurance (to lower 48 states, other locations please inquire about shipping costs)
NEW!! SEE MORE ROD PHOTOS!!!
Please visit my Flickr pages (www.flickr.com/photos.customrodmaker/) to see even more rod photos including those available for sale, different rod features, & more. I'll be continuing to add photos there, so check it often.
©2010 - 2018 Chris Lantzy, Custom Rod Maker
