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Custom Fly Fishing Rods by Chris Lantzy, Custom Rod Maker

Summer Fishing Bag Sale!!

6/28/2013

It's hot in the summer. We all know that. Wearing a bulky fishing vest only makes it hotter along the stream or lake. So why not get a fishing bag to carry all your stuff in this summer? You'll be glad you did as you realize how much cooler they are to use in the heat. For a limited time, these bags have been reduced in price.

These bags are available in two sizes & feature:
- Wide, adjustable shoulder strap making them very comfortable to use all day long.

- 2 D-rings on each side for hanging accessories like nippers, landing nets, etc.

- 2 lamb's wool drying patches for your flies.

- Inside center loop perfect for hanging your hemostats or other hook removers.

- 2 large front pockets with velcro closure big enough to hold your fly boxes, fly wallets, or most anything else.

- 4 smaller side pockets with velcro closure made to fit tippet spools, flotant tubes, split-shot containers, & any smaller accessories.

- 6 small grometted ventilation holes on the bottom to allow water & moisture out & air to circulate inside the bag.

- Full cover top flap with snap closure.

- Fully lined inside with a stain & water-resistant lining, making these bags very easy to clean inside.

For more info about these bags, please visit the Accessories page.

Just like summer, this bag sale won't last forever. Contact me if you have any questions about these fishing bags.

Fishing With A Popper

6/26/2013

Do you consider fishing with a popper to be dry fly fishing? Well, the popper floats on the surface like a dry fly. Especially on still water, you usually have to impart some movement to the popper, just like you would some dry flies. But the popper weighs considerably more than the biggest dry flies ever made from fur & feather.

In my mind the similarities between the two are small. Yet poppers - to me - are in a class all their own, separate from dry flies. I guess this is because when I use a popper I'm after warm water fish, not trout. Bass, Bluegill, & others get less respect in general from the fly rod crowd than do the trout we pursue with our intricate & complicated dry flies. I totally understand this because in the spring & early summer of the year I'm almost a trout purist. I want nothing but a trout on my line. However, come the heat of summer, I'm all for catching bass, crappie, even bluegill on my fly rod. Suddenly all those little ponds & lily pad covered areas of lakes have me salivating. Yet I wouldn't give these places a second look in April or May.

Fishing for warm water fish can be a lot like going after wild trout. You may find yourself looking at topographical maps for small ponds or even unknown sections of rivers for places where fish could be that have never been caught by an angler - places that nobody knows about. You might even find yourself driving around back country roads & knocking on stranger's doors to ask permission to fish. It can become very consuming if you let it.

I feel really bad for any fly angler that hasn't caught a small mouth bass on a fly rod. Also the fly roder who's never tied into a big bluegill on a popper has my sympathies as well. What sport these warm water fish offer to the fly angler!!!!

Those bass & other warm water species aren't just for folks with boats & spin or casting rods. There's no real, justifiable reason to not give them a go on a fly rod. You don't need a bass boat with a high horsepower motor & a fish finder to get these fish. No, just the proper fly rod, the right fly, maybe a pair of waders (waders are optional), & your wits will have you really enjoying a full summer of fly fishing.

Rod Making Tools & Supplies

6/25/2013

Some of you who read this, I know, like to make fly rods yourself as a hobby. Some of you are toying with the idea of making a rod yourself someday. Either way, one of the biggest challenges a rod maker faces is tooling up & getting some equipment that is specific to rod making. These tools can include various planing forms, glue binders, micrometers, hand planes, alcohol lamps, calipers, etc. No matter if you're making bamboo or synthetic rods sooner or later you'll need to acquire line guides, cork, maybe ferrules, thread for the wraps, reel seats & all the other components that go on a rod.

Getting all this stuff together in your shop is probably the biggest challenge a new rod maker faces. Sure, many of these tools you can make yourself but you better have a lot of time on your hands to make them. What you might save in money by making them will be more than lost in the time it takes to make these tools. This is something to consider especially for someone looking to make rods as a hobby.

There are places to get all this stuff. A quick internet search will show you at least a few dealers in such tools & materials. However, just like everything else you buy, use caution & judgement before you lay down your hard earned money. Ask around to experienced rod makers before you buy. Many of these tools aren't cheap & they are available in varying degrees of quality. Make sure you're money is going to equipment that will serve you well for years to come & to rod components that will look good & function correctly on your rods.

I would also urge you to consider finding a dealer that will stand behind their products & provide you with good service even after you've bought from them. It does little good to save a few bucks on an expensive piece of equipment or rod component, only to hear their voice mail every time you call should a problem arise. In my opinion your best bet is to buy from someone who actually uses the tools & components they sell.

While I don't offer tools or rod components, you might want to look for a competent rod maker who does. This is especially true if you're just starting out in rod making. Not only can they make sure that you're getting the proper equipment, they can also answer your questions about it, too. I was fortunate to have many experienced rod makers help me when I was starting out & I'm grateful to them all. One of the many rod makers who have helped me, for example, are the folks at J.D.Wagner Rodmakers. They were, & still are, especially helpful to me when I need specific rod components or a certain tool, & if I ever run into a problem I know that I can ask them for honest advice. I suggest every budding rod maker find an experienced one for guidance. Most rod makers are willing to help answer a beginner's questions, myself included.

No matter where you get your rod making tools & supplies from, make sure to do a little homework before you buy. Finding a good supplier will make your rod making that much easier. It won't be as intimidating if you know there's someone out there you can contact when you have questions.

Choosing Wrap Colors

6/24/2013

One of the most obvious differences in appearance between a mass-produced fly rod & a custom made one can be the color of the wraps. It's one of the first things you notice about a rod. Let's not kid ourselves, it's important how a fly rod looks. The right color of wraps can really change the character of the rod's appearance.

I wrap all my rods with silk thread. I do this because silk is finer in diameter than the nylon thread used on most commercial rods today. As a result, it gives you wraps that are smoother & flatter on the rod. To keep the wraps smooth, I also coat them with real varnish as opposed to the heavy epoxy coatings on the mass-produced rods. The silk & the varnish give us a wrap that doesn't add bulk to the the rod & will look almost as if the wrap was painted on the rod. The transition of the thread from the rod shaft over the guide feet is smooth & even. It's how they used to do it until they found cheaper, faster ways.

Now no matter if you wrap a guide with nylon or silk & coat it with either varnish or epoxy, the color of the thread will change under the finish. Sometimes this change in color can be dramatic. What looked like a gold thread on the spool might become a very dark brown under the finish. So you have to make color samples when choosing colors from spools of thread.

You can stop this change of color by treating each wrap on the rod with a color preserver. There are different types of color preserver available & some work better than others. However, this adds another step in the process & adds days to the rod's build time. This is because the preserver has to be applied in multiple coats of different strengths in order to get good results.

With lighter color silk threads, they become slightly transparent under the varnish, allowing you to see the guide feet underneath. This is a traditional, desired effect. Darker thread colors won't have this effect. But if you treat these lighter colors with preserver, this effect is lost. Some folks don't care about that at all, while to some it's extremely important.

Choosing a good wrap color doesn't have to be complicated. If you can't decide, just remember that as long as you stick to conservative colors, you can't go too far wrong. It's about what you want. Like they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

More Available Fly Reels Listed

6/21/2013

I've recently added some fly reels to the list on the "Available Reels" page. There are a whole range of reels there, so there's something for everyone. Most of the them are vintage with very little use. I've tried to show any condition issues there might be, but most of the reels are in great working order.

One of the reels listed is a vintage Pflueger Medalist 1492 1/2. This is a rarer size of Medalist, being the wider version of the more available 1492. Made in the USA, it comes with the square line guard & is in good shape.

Of course there are other affordable reels listed that you might be interested in too. You can see more photos & read detailed descriptions of all the reels on the Available Reels page, including the vintage reel shown below. Please contact me if you see something you're interested in. In the coming days I'll be adding even more reels to the list so check back often.

Fly Lines.....A Primer

6/18/2013

For those of you who are relatively new to fly fishing - or those of you who are starting to get seriously into it & have become addicted, let's cover some of the basics about fly lines. The fly line is very important in how successful you'll be in attempting to catch fish. After you've taken all the time to choose a good fly rod & a nice reel to fit it out, don't skimp on the fly line. This is not a place to save a few bucks. You need a good quality line that will work with your rod & present your flies properly with little effort. A cheap line is just that - cheap.

So, the basics: manufacturers are always working to improve fly lines & the technology used to develop them. Sometimes the brand new "hot thing" in fly lines actually is an improvement. I know this for sure - lines are a zillion times better than they used to be even just twenty years ago. They float & cast better & hold up to use a lot more than they did back then. You also have probably 10 times the number of fly line companies than you did way back when, each offering many more models of lines for the angler's different needs. New types of lines are always being offered & I don't even try to keep up with many of the latest innovations. Still, I do keep my eyes open & you should too. Let's mention a few of the time-tested types of, or designs, of fly lines:

1.)Double Taper (DT): just as the name implies, these lines have a smaller tip end that grows in diameter until it's the appropriate size for it's designated weight. This smaller tip of the line is less bulky & lighter in weight allowing for the line to be cast gently onto the water with a minimum of disturbance. This tapered section will vary depending on the manufacturer, but it generally runs, say, the first 8 to 15 feet of the line. Many anglers use a double taper line & for good reason. They are easy to cast & give the angler a much needed advantage in fly presentation. Plus, the line is tapered on both ends, so when one tip is worn out you can just remove the line from the reel & turn it around. This gives the line (in theory) twice the life span.

2.) Weight Forward (WF): These lines are also popular because while they handle most fishing situations well, the heavier front section of the line allows for longer casts with less effort. Contrary to what some say, an experienced angler using a WF line can present a fly just as gently as if using a DT line. Basically if you're constantly needing to get your line out there a few more feet, or you're always fighting the wind where you fish, you might want to consider using a WF line. However don't make the mistake of thinking that a WF line is the answer to your casting problems. It can help you, but a good casting technique is the answer.

3.) Sinking Lines: These are particularly good for fishing deep lakes. Before these lines were developed, fishing in the really deep waters with a fly rod was difficult if not impossible. They do require a little adjustment in casting in that you can't just pick up the line & back cast it. The line is too deep for that, so you must strip some line in to get it up out of the depths before you start your cast. I consider these a specialty line for a specific fishing situation. I would NOT recommend them for normal fly fishing in streams, rivers, ponds, etc.

4.) Level Lines (L): Just as their name implies, these lines have no taper to them at all. They are the same diameter throughout their length. Most anglers will find these lines much less pleasant to cast than either DT or WF lines. They definitely won't get you the extra distance in your cast. So, why have them? Well, many years (decades) ago it was suggested that these lines be used by beginners. This is because they were much cheaper & would allow you to have a decent line at a reasonable price. Of course manufacturing processes have changed all that & now DT & WF lines can be made more economically, essentially killing that line of thinking. These level lines are becoming a very rare thing today. To me that's a shame because they did have some very good uses. I used to use them when warm-water fly fishing for bass, bluegill, etc. The level line was great because casting long distances & careful presentations wasn't an issue for these fish & if I stepped on the line in the boat or in the mud I didn't worry about hurting an expensive line. I hope levels lines do make a comeback.

Like I said, there are always new types of lines coming out. Things like "shooting heads" or lines designed for specific species of fish. For general fly fishing though, I like a nice DT floating line myself. It suits the type of fishing I do most often in my area. If you're looking for a new line, but aren't sure you have the experience to know what to get I suggest either a DT or a WF line from a reputable manufacturer. Whatever you do, just don't get the cheapest line available.

Custom Series Rods....Some Examples

6/14/2013

I've recently added another page to this website where I feature some examples of past Custom Series rods I've made before. Some folks like to look at examples to get ideas for their fly rod & this should give some food for thought.

Custom Series rods, both bamboo & graphite, are all unique because each client requests something different. Quite frankly I love it because it keeps me on my toes as a rod maker & keeps me from getting in a rut.

With Custom Series rods, you can get just about anything you want in a rod. It should look & act exactly as you want it to. So, when the sky's the limit in your options, & you're not exactly certain about what you want, what do you do? Look to other rods for inspiration, I say. The information & photos on this new page should help you there.

Check this page again in the future as I'll be adding more rod examples to it both as I find old photos I'd forgotten about & as I make new rods. I want everyone to know what's possible & what their options are. I never want to make a rod for an uninformed client.

To see some Custom Series rods, click HERE.

Fishing In The Same Place (All The Time)

6/12/2013

Every angler has their favorite local streams they are familiar with - their home stream, if you will. There could be sentimental or emotional reasons that make that one stretch of water you special place, but most likely the reason is because it's close, holds fish well, & you seem to do good there. All the strange & unexpected things that can happen while fishing anywhere can happen there, too & your stream is no exception. After all, isn't that why most of us fish - for what might happen? If what might happen actually might happen on a stream that you can get to quickly & on a regular basis, chances are good that it will become your home stream.

Sometimes though, we might feel like we're getting stuck in a rut. Same runs, pools, rocks, & riffles; same insects in the same order; same trout in that same eddy. Don't we want more variety in our fly fishing? Well maybe, but it's hard some days to turn down a good & reliable chance to catch fish in a sport where a sure thing doesn't exist - just for a change of scenery.

There's plenty of justifiable reasons for going back to the same fishing haunt all the time. Through repetition you learn every aspect of the stream. You know every rock & sunken log in that entire stretch of water. You know every nuance of the water current & how to cast your line just right so that brown trout can see your fly from behind that big rock where it lives. You know every drop-off & exactly where to put your feet in every run. You even have a quiet, private chuckle to yourself when you see an unfamiliar angler fishing that pool all wrong: "Poor fellow. He'll never get a good drift putting his line there."

All this familiarity & repetition gives you a place to hone the skills of fly fishing. You get better at casting to certain types of places. You learn how to read the water more accurately. You even begin to learn the names of certain plants & birds.

But another angler has given you a hot tip about the action on another stream, farther away, that you've never fished before. Be careful here friend. Take these "hot tips" with a grain of salt & strongly consider the source. Make sure your b.s. meter is in perfect working order when another angler tells you how good the fishing is someplace else - especially if they owe you money & definitely if they're not going with you there.

For example, one hot summer day during a long heat wave I chanced to encounter an angling acquaintance who told me of a "sure thing". Sure it would be a long drive there & it's been hot enough to melt glass, but he managed to land 21 of 'em before he decided to call it a day. I couldn't miss!!!

All I had to do to find this magical place was to turn left at the Dew Drop Inn. Then make another left past the old junk yard. Now I follow that road until I come the field with the Holstein cows & hang a right. At the top of the next hill turn left onto the old logging road. Take the turn to the right off the logging road & then park the truck by the abandoned rail road bridge. Sorry, but he couldn't go with me. He wouldn't be up that way again until the Fall of the year.

As luck would have it another angling friend (who didn't owe me anything) had just been out to the stream in question - right before the heatwave had set in. When I asked him about the "sure thing" he replied, "Bunk, total bunk!! The water temp was way too high 2 1/2 weeks ago. Sounds like a goose chase to me." I never mentioned to either of them that I know for a fact that the old junkyard isn't anywhere near The Dew Drop Inn, or that it isn't Holsteins in that field but Jersey cows......

So the next time you consider going to another stream just remember that you know a place where you're familiar with every nook & cranny of the stream. But still, remember where that "hot tip" was at, just in case.

Fly Rod Engraving

6/11/2013

Some folks who order a rod like to add a little 'pizzazz' to it by having the reel seat metal engraved with something. This decorative element can really help to make your rod look beautiful. It can be subtle or it can be bold, but either way it's another aspect that makes your rod unique to you. Take, for example this simple pattern engraved around the slip ring of a cap & ring style seat:

Here I have blued the ring, which subdued the engraving a little, making it a nice subtle feature.

On this highly polished ring, though, the engraving stands out a bit more:

Of course you can also have some engraving around the side of the rod's end cap too.

If you want some engraving done on your rod, you should know that it costs a little extra, depending on what you want. Also, this type of work can only be done on Nickle-Silver reel seats, not aluminum.

You can get simple embellishments like the ones shown above, or you can go all out & get something even more detailed on the end cap if you wish.

Now I can't take credit for the engravings above (wish I could). When someone wants something as intricate & detailed as this I rely on master engraver Glenda O'Donnell. She is the best in the business, a very nice person, & one of the most talented artists I've ever met.

Getting some personalized engraving is yet another way to make your rod unique while adding a bit of class to it too.

Choosing The Best Rod For Dry Fly Fishing

6/10/2013

We're all familiar with rod actions described as fast, moderate (medium) & slow. We also will sometimes see rod actions described as dry, nymph, wet, streamer, or other descriptive ways. Generally, for better or worse, we equate terms traditionally like this:

Dry fly action = fast
Nymph = medium
Wet / streamer action = slow

So a slow action rod is no good for dry fly fishing? Well, not always. Sometimes a slow rod is good for dry fly fishing, but that's a topic for another conversation. My point is, it's not always that easy to decipher the best rod for a particular type of fishing based solely on the rod's action.

For tossing dry flies you don't want to pick a rod that is too stiff. That's a common mistake made by many anglers. Instead of a stiff rod, you want one that has some "spring", or resiliency to it, yet is supple. It's hard to describe in words but the best I can say is that you want a rod that flexes well, but has some resistance to bending. This resistance should grow evenly up the length of the rod.

For most anglers this will be a rod with a progressive action - meaning that it tends to flex evenly & successively more as you move toward the tip of the rod. In other words, this rod bends evenly up it's length. The closer you get to the grip, the more resistant to bending the rod gets.

When choosing a rod for dry fly fishing, it's very important to know your casting abilities. Be honest with yourself here. If you have a tendency to drop your back cast (as most of us do) than consider getting a longer rod. If however, you spend more time fishing in smaller or brush-covered water Than you'll probably benefit from using a shorter rod. Either way, I would say that a rod 7'-6" to 8'-6" long will work fine for a majority of situations. If you choose to go with a longer rod - like a 9' bamboo or say, an 11' graphite switch rod - I'd suggest that you keep the bamboo to no more than a 3 piece & the graphite to a 4 piece. Too many ferrules will interrupt the rod's action causing you to loose some of that nice "dry fly" action.

These are just some of the things to consider when looking for a rod to fish dry flies with. The best thing you can do is to cast a bunch of rods & talk to other anglers or a rod maker too. If you do a lot of dry fly fishing, you're going to want a rod specifically for that. You have many choices, so look around before you buy. Finding the perfect rod is rarely as easy as reading the descriptions in a catalog.

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the pliant rod:

Summer Fishing Bag Sale!!

Fishing With A Popper

Rod Making Tools & Supplies

Choosing Wrap Colors

More Available Fly Reels Listed

Fly Lines.....A Primer

Custom Series Rods....Some Examples

Fishing In The Same Place (All The Time)

Fly Rod Engraving

Choosing The Best Rod For Dry Fly Fishing

The Pliant Rod

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