Hand crafted in the U.S.A.
Mortised Split-Bamboo Fly Rods by Chris Lantzy, Custom Rod Maker
These rods feature a swell in the butt section that is accomplished by splicing wood into the rod between the strips of bamboo. The splicing begins just before the grip and continues through the rod to form an all wood & bamboo grip & reel seat. The artistic possibilities of this design are endless.
In the late 1800’s & early 1900’s it was not uncommon to see rods of this design. In the tradition of the great rod makers from that period in history – T.H. Chubb, Charles E. Wheeler, F.D. Divine, et al – I am pleased to now be offering mortised fly rods.
In the late 1800’s & early 1900’s it was not uncommon to see rods of this design. In the tradition of the great rod makers from that period in history – T.H. Chubb, Charles E. Wheeler, F.D. Divine, et al – I am pleased to now be offering mortised fly rods.
“Few things reflect the personality of the rodmaker more than a mortised rod, an old idea in the rodmaking arts. Mortised rods have been around for 150 years. Some of the early makers of mortised rods--which featured spliced hardwoods such as cherry between the traditional bamboo strips--include many of the legendary names in the bamboo rod world: Fred Divine, Thomas H. Chubb, Hiram Leonard, Frederick Malleson, George Varney, Charles E. Wheeler, and Thomas J. Conroy, to name just a few. Mortising produced an extremely attractive design aesthetic that helped rodmakers express an individuality that was sometimes difficult to discern outside of a trout stream. Mortised rods were also distinctive as hand-made in a burgeoning age of mass-production, distinguishing the rod on sight as of higher quality than the normal fare. Because it took advanced woodworking skills to make a mortised rod butt, and because the rods were correspondingly more expensive than non-mortised models, very few have survived down to the present”.
-Dr. Todd E.A. Larson
From the chapter entitled "The Most Interesting Rodmaker in the World," in Forgotten Fly Rods, Volume II: More Overlooked and Underappreciated American Fishing Rod Manufacturers (FORTHCOMING, The Whitefish Press).
-Dr. Todd E.A. Larson
From the chapter entitled "The Most Interesting Rodmaker in the World," in Forgotten Fly Rods, Volume II: More Overlooked and Underappreciated American Fishing Rod Manufacturers (FORTHCOMING, The Whitefish Press).
Click on any of the photos below for a larger image.
These are truly custom rods. I look back to the past master rod builders & to current artists for inspiration. When designing these rods anything goes. From inlay patterns in the wood, to carved leather grips, to engraved bands with stone inlays the options are limited only by the imagination. The wood-mortised grip area of the rod becomes a canvas for the artistic possibilities that make these rods unique & beautiful. These rods can be of a simple, elegant design, or can be made ornate & highly decorated with a thematic motif occurring throughout the rod. I take ideas from many genres of art, from the classic master rod makers to custom furniture & musical instrument makers.
These rods challenge me as a rod maker & help me advance my skills. I make only a very limited number of these rods. These rods take a considerably longer amount of time to make compared to other rods. I will, occasionally, offer completed mortised rods for sale. Please look at my "available" page for any mortised rods I offer for sale & check back often. Any rod will be a one-of-a-kind & you can fish it knowing you won't find another angler with a rod like yours!!
Each rod comes with a rod bag, any kind of rod tube or special box of your choice, & inscription. They are mortised with Poplar wood or darkly flamed bamboo. Other woods are sometimes used as well. The possabilities are endless. These rods can have an exposed grip area or have a grip of traditional cork or leather, or special chord, etc. Each rod is truly one of a kind. Contact me for prices and possible options. If you have ideas of what you'd like your rod to look like, contact me & we'll work together to get you a truly unique mortised rod made just for you. [email protected]
These rods challenge me as a rod maker & help me advance my skills. I make only a very limited number of these rods. These rods take a considerably longer amount of time to make compared to other rods. I will, occasionally, offer completed mortised rods for sale. Please look at my "available" page for any mortised rods I offer for sale & check back often. Any rod will be a one-of-a-kind & you can fish it knowing you won't find another angler with a rod like yours!!
Each rod comes with a rod bag, any kind of rod tube or special box of your choice, & inscription. They are mortised with Poplar wood or darkly flamed bamboo. Other woods are sometimes used as well. The possabilities are endless. These rods can have an exposed grip area or have a grip of traditional cork or leather, or special chord, etc. Each rod is truly one of a kind. Contact me for prices and possible options. If you have ideas of what you'd like your rod to look like, contact me & we'll work together to get you a truly unique mortised rod made just for you. [email protected]
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.
Click on any of the photos below for a larger image.
To read more about my rod making philosophy, click HERE.
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