Just like a fly rod, the choice of a fly reel is a pretty personal thing. We all have different opinions & ideas of what we like in our tackle. Take the fly reel - some like a more modern style reel & the features that come with it, while others prefer the simplicity & traditional looks of a classic 'click & pawl' type of fly reel. 

When you're fly fishing for trout & other similar fresh water fish (like bass, bluegill, etc) the reel typically functions mainly as a holder for your fly line. Drag systems need not be intricate or complicated (naturally this is a different case when deep sea fishing or other large game fish pursuits). 

Now, there's noting wrong with using a more modern fly reel with a more complex drag system if that's what you like, but for trout fishing you don't really need it. To that end, you might want to look at used, classic 'click & pawl' style reels. 

The video below sums all this up very well. I like the presenters concise thoughts on the matter & I agree with him on this issue. If you're looking for a good fly reel for your trout fly fishing, than by all means take a look at some classic reels. 

The other day a friend showed me this video, in which "expert" fly fishing guide Hank Patterson warns us of a new threat to the outdoors - indoor people spending time outdoors! I found this video to be pretty funny & I thought you would, too. (Warning: there's some adult language in this video, so you know). 

​Sit back & contemplate the wisdom of Hank Patterson!!

Another year has gone by - a very different year for most, no doubt - & it's time once again for my annual "State of The Rod Shop Address" to you all. Here we look back to the year that was in the shop & ahead to the year beginning. I'm happy to say that, thanks to all of you, the state of the rod shop has never been better!

I've been at this for many years now & I must say that this was probably the busiest year I ever had. More folks took up, or came back to, fly fly fishing this year than had in the last twenty years (I think we all know why). As a result more folks found my work & I was honored to work on many projects. 

Here are just some of the many fly rods that I was privileged to make this year (click or tap on any photo for a larger image):

I was honored to do some restoration work this past year, too - bringing old rods back to life. Here are 'before & after' images of one such rod, a very old HI bamboo:

I had some pretty neat projects folks brought to me this year for fishing accessories, too. Leather rod tubes, fishing bags, custom leather fly box cases, & some leather clamshell reel cases like this one:

I was finally able to add another service to many of my accessories, allowing you to add up to 3 initials to items so you can personalize them. I've been wanting to do this for a while now & I made it happen this summer, setting up the tooling & the process in the shop to be able to do this for you. I think this is a nice way to really personalize these items, making them great for gifts or for yourself. ​

I was also able to re-introduce a new & improved version of the old leather fly books I make. These are so much better than the ones I used to make - & I think anglers are going to love them! So far, they've been very well received by folks.

All of this & a whole lot more came out of the rod shop this past year. It sure kept me hopping! As I look to the next year, the shop is already humming - there are numerous rod orders in the works. Some of these are going to be very cool rods that I can't wait to show you all. 

Also next year, I'm going to put more effort into having more available rods listed for sale. No one could have predicted this year - myself included - & the higher demand for my work didn't allow me to list some rods I wanted to, or to make any extra demo rods that I could list for immediate sale. In the new year, I plan to have more available for you if & when possible. 

As busy as I was this year, there were moments of reflection for me (there's always time for thinking when making rods). I feel that I'm one of the luckiest guys on the planet. Because of you folks I'm able to get up every morning & go to work at this craft that I truly love. It is my passion. You folks have enabled me to continue in this for all these years & I'm grateful to you all. If my life was such that I was independently wealthy & money was no concern, I would still be doing what I do every day. How awesome is that?!!? Thank you all for allowing me to do this, to serve you, & to do the work that I love. 

I made a lot of new friends this past year, for which I am blessed & I'm looking forward to the new folks I'll meet next year, the rods & accessories I'll make, & the fun I'm going to have doing it all. I want to wish you all a happy & healthy New Year - may it be your best one yet!!! 

A friend reminded me of this short video, that I think says plainly what Christmas is all about & the 'reason for the season':

And of course, I want to share my favorite Christmas tune & my favorite rendition of it with you. This will be playing in the rod shop Christmas Eve as the snow falls down outside & I take a moment to reflect. May you all have a blessed & peaceful Christmas. 

I am so pleased to be able to offer you these leather fly books - now new & improved. Years ago I came up with a design that would compliment my leather fly wallets, but I wanted something larger that would hold more flies for anglers. From that thought was born the larger fly book - but the brainstorming continued & I also came up with a smaller version, too. Anyway, I was never totally happy with the materials that I was using, so I went back & designed them from scratch - using the best quality materials available. 

​These leather fly books are a simple, elegant way to store & carry all your wet, nymph, or streamer flies. They are available in two colors & two sizes to fit your needs.

I make these fly books from vegetable tanned leather & each one features the following:
-Simple brass stud closure.
-Six pages made from 100% virgin Merino wool felt, w/ scalloped-cut edges to prevent fraying.
-Fully lined inside with black suede leather to protect the interior of the books & the flies inside.
-Available in either dark mahogany or light brown colored leathers. ​

I think anglers are really going to love these fly books & so far they have been very popular. They make great gifts for all your special fly anglers. 

To see more photos & to read more detailed info about these fly books, please visit the Leather Accessories page. 

If you have any questions about these - or anything else - please feel free to contact me & I'll be happy to give you any help I can. 

Megan Boyd was a famous Scottish tier of Atlantic Salmon flies. She lived a simple life out in the countryside, about 3 miles from the nearest small village. That didn't stop folks from all over the world coming to her cottage to ask her to tie flies for them - including Prince Charles, himself. 

She was the inventor of many patterns & became world renown for her abilities in fly tying. In her career she took on a few pupils to teach them the art & it is very interesting to hear what they have to say about her. She was even recognized & awarded by the Royal family of the UK in her lifetime. 

This video below is a beautifully made documentary of her life & work. In it we get to know her better as to who she was & how she made those gorgeous flies that anglers sought from her. It is a fascinating & well told story where we get a look at some of the gorgeous landscapes & rivers of Scotland.   

Just before Thanksgiving, a good friend shared this video with me. I, in turn, shared it with a few other friends & now I'd like to share it with you all here. If you have about an hour of time to spare, I think you're going to enjoy this film.

You'll find a new page on this website for the Holidays - the Holiday Gift Guide is now up & running! 

Are you looking for unique gift ideas for those specials anglers in your life? Well, for a bunch of great ideas that will fit almost any budget, be sure to take a look at the guide. There you'll find a bunch of different items that any fly angler will enjoy. 

You'll also note that a couple of accessories are on sale for the Holidays. These are available in limited quantities, so be sure to get your orders in to me early. Once the stock of those items is depleted it will be a while before I have more made. The Holiday sale items include my fishing bags & the unique Mini Pack. 

You'll also find other gift ideas there as well, including my leather fly wallets, which are very popular with fly anglers. 

That's right - soon the leather fly books will be back, redesigned & better than ever. I know folks are going to love these & I can't wait to share them with you all. Stay posted here!

In addition to the accessories listed on the gift guide, you'll find an explanation of how you can go about ordering a custom fly rod for someone special. This is a great gift that they'll enjoy for a lifetime! Think of it as a gift certificate for not only the fly rod of their dreams, but also for the experience of working with a custom rod maker to have their rod made to their specific requests. They'll enjoy the experience of having the rod made for them & then fishing with the rod for many seasons to come. Plus, you can get the special gift certificate for the custom rod in a very elegant leather document case - this makes the presentation of the certificate even more special. 

Hopefully I have the answers for you. If you're looking for a gift for a special angler, & you're just not sure what to do, feel free to contact me & ask for advice. Even if it's something I don't offer, I'll give you my honest opinion & thoughts. I want everyone to have a great Holiday season & if I can help you pick out a gift for the anglers on your list, I'm happy to do so. 

​As always, if you need to order something, or you have any questions at all about anything, please feel free to contact me anytime. 

If you're here reading this, you're probably already into fly fishing - or have a loved one who is - & so you already know all about the sport. But when fly fishing get the attention of the larger portions of our society, it's always nice. Hence, this story that aired on CBS News late this past summer. 

I like this video if for no other reason than to see Joan Wulff. In her 90's, she's still out there & getting it done. Way to go Joan!!!

So sit back & enjoy a few minutes of the main stream media showing the non-anglers what it's all about!

From time to time, I like to feature other rod makers here to show you some of the processes that go into making a custom fly rod, & all the other aspects associated with the craft. I want you to see just how much goes into a custom fly rod & the lifestyle of making custom rods. In the future I plan to bring you even more of this information by showing you more rod makers, both past & present.

Who better to feature here then Jeff & Casimira of JD Wagner Rodmakers? They are highly skilled & knowledgeable rod makers who have been at this for a while now. Of course, I'm very biased, as I consider both Jeff & Casimira two good friends & our friendship goes beyond fishing & rod making. That's because they're two of the nicest people you're ever going to meet!! (like I said, I'm biased towards my friends). 

But all that aside, the video below - made when the television show "A Craftsman's Legacy" featured Casimira & Jeff for a full episode - does a very good job of taking us through the all the steps of how a bamboo fly rod is made by hand. By the end of the video you'll get the idea of just how much detailed hand work goes into making a rod & the time involved. It's not easy to make a bamboo rod, but with the proper guidance almost anyone can learn & make their own. I think A Craftsman's Legacy did a good job of getting that point across. 

Even if you're not the least bit interested in making your own bamboo rod, the video below will give you a better appreciation of what you hold in your hand when you fish with one. If you've never tried a bamboo rod, be prepared to be inspired to try one as you watch this episode!