Category:

Custom Fly Fishing Rods by Chris Lantzy, Custom Rod Maker

new: prudential series glass:

5/14/2019

I'm so pleased to now offer an affordable custom fiberglass fly rod. These rods are for those of you looking to get into fiberglass fly rods to see what all the fuss is about, or if you just want a custom made glass rod without the investment.

Here's how it works: You choose your rod blank & components. Then, once you & I have all the details settled about your rod I ask for a down payment of half the total to begin. The wait time for me to make your Prudential Glass rod is only 2 to 3 months, maximum (depending on if you have any special requests) maybe less. That's only two payments of $162.50, one to start, the other only after the rod is completed!!

You choose your rod blank from the different sizes & colors available. These include:
1.) 6'-0", 2/3 wt, smoke grey color w/ tip over butt ferrules.
2.) 7'-0", 3 wt, clear glass color, spigot ferrules.
3.) 7'-6", 4 wt, yellow or light green color, spigot ferrules.
4.) 8'-0" 5/6 wt, grey smoke color, spigot ferrules.
5.) 8'-0", 7 wt, brown / orange color, spigot ferrules, faster action.
6.) 8'-6", 5 wt, light grey color, spigot ferrules.
Here are some of the rod colors available:

You can also choose your grip shape from the Fenwick style, Reverse Half-Welles, or Full Welles shapes:

You have your choice of reel seats as well. You choose either up locking, or down locking; chrome, black, or antique gold color metal. Choose your spacer between maple, cork, walnut, or burl.

Down Locking w/ Maple

Up Locking w/ Burl

Like any custom fly rod, you have your choice of line guides, tip top, & hook keeper in either chrome or black finish. Those guides are wrapped in fine silk thread & coated with real varnish for smooth wraps - just like a bamboo rod. You can choose the color of thread wraps you want.

There's also a personal inscription of whatever you choose written above the grip on the butt section. One side of the rod will have my name, length, line wt, etc & the other side will have whatever you wish.

If that wasn't enough, for the price each rod comes in a custom fit canvas covered PVC rod tube & also a soft cotton flannel rod bag. Each are made specifically to your rod for a custom fit.

I am very excited to offer these rods. They are an opportunity for you to see just how fun it can be to have a custom rod made for yourself, but without a huge investment of money & time on your part. I ask for a down payment of half the total to begin the rod ($162.50). Once I know what you want & have received your first payment, I'll begin work on your rod. You'll receive hard copy receipts for your payments & I'll keep you updated, with photos, as your rod progresses. Most rods will only take 2 to 3 months to complete at most, unless you have a unique request for your rod. Once the rod is completed & your second payment made, I'll ship the rod out & provide you with a tracking number so you can follow it in transit. Payments can be made by check, money order, or via Paypal.

To read more about these rods & to see detailed photos of all your options, please visit the Fiberglass Fly Rod page of this site. If you have any questions about anything, please feel free to contact me anytime & I'll be more than happy to help. It really can be this fun & affordable to own a custom fiberglass fly rod!

joe brooks documentary

4/12/2019

Work continues in the making of a film about the famous angler & writer Joe Brooks. In the video below we see the impact he had on fly fishing in Argentina & Patagonia. These locations are now destinations for fly anglers, but 60 + years ago when Joe first went there, they were unknown to all but the locals. Joe fished there, wrote about it, & as a result helped to create a whole new haven for anglers & economy for the locals.

If you're unfamiliar with who Joe Brooks was you need to do yourself a favor & pick up any of the books he wrote. In the last half of the twentieth century Joe was a legend among fly anglers. He changed the way many folks fish. The techniques that many of us use today were his. If you've not read any of his works, you seriously owe it to yourself to check out his writings. I promise you it will make you a better fly angler.

Enjoy this short film about how Joe Brooks put fly fishing in Patagonia on the map & learn a little about what an incredible angler he was.

leather clam shell fly reel cases

3/18/2019

I've just added another case to my list of accessories - a leather clam shell-style fly reel case!

These cases are made from heavy 9 oz vegetable tanned leather in a traditional chestnut color. The leather has been treated for a smooth, flawless appearance & feel. Each case features a Sherpa lining inside to both wick moisture away & protect your fly reel.

A brass stud closure makes it easy to open & close the case. These cases are constructed with mitered corners of the leather for seamless edges & stitched in a traditional box stitch to last for a lifetime of use.

These cases will hold any reel up to 3 1/2" high x 2 3/4" wide (from back plate to top of handle), accommodating both regular & wide spool fly reels.
*more sizes coming soon!

For more information & to see more photos, please visit the Accessories page.

If you have any questions about these cases, please contact me.

leather fly wallets: new & improved

3/12/2019

Over the many years of making leather fly wallets, I've often considered different ways of improving them. Now I have. These improvements take these wallets to a whole new level of quality & elegance. These new fly wallets have the same basic design & size of the ones I used to make. However the quality of the materials they're made from is now much better than in the past.

The leather of these wallets is a natural vegetable tanned leather in a rich mahogany color. It has a very rich grain marks throughout. It's been waxed & buffed so it's smooth to the touch - a pleasure to hold in hand. As it's tanned with all natural vegetable materials, it has that rich leather smell, too. It's a pleasure for all the senses.

But the higher grade leather isn't the only improvement I made. Now, the inside of every wallet is lined entirely with a soft black suede leather. This gives the inside of the wallet a distinct look & helps to protect items you keep inside. These new wallets are a pleasure to the touch both inside & out.

Still not satisfied with just these better features, perhaps the biggest improvement I've made to these wallets are the pages. They are now made from 100% wool felt in a natural oatmeal white color. Thick & durable, each page features a scalloped, or pinking, cut edge to facilitate easier turning of the pages & to keep the edges from fraying over time. Hooks with, or without, a barb will store well in the wool felt.

Every detail has been attended to in these new fly wallets. The stitching is done in a heavy duty black thread that ensures these wallets are made to last for a lifetime of use. Every edge of these wallets are dyed black & polished for beautiful finished edges.

These new leather fly wallets are among the best you'll find. It would be a treasured possession of any angler to add to their tackle collection & they make fantastic gifts for any special occasion.

For more information & to see more detailed photos, please visit the Accessories page of this site. You should also feel free to contact me with any questions you might have.

REMAINING STOCK OF OLD STYLE FLY WALLETS ON SALE:

I used to make these wallets from a variety of different lesser grade leathers & with a fleece-like material for the pages that would not hold barbed hooks. They also had no inside lining of suede as the above wallets do, so raw leather showed on the inside. They are the same size & basic design as those described above, just without these marked improvements of the new wallets. In order to eliminate my old stock, I'm reducing the price of these older style fly wallets.
To see the current list of available old style wallets, please visit the Leather Fly Wallets page of this site.

the making of the regal vise

2/4/2019

For you fly tiers who own or have used a Regal vise, you know that they are a fine piece of equipment. They're very well made & easy to use. As you can imagine, a lot of labor goes into making them at the Regal factory. In the short videos below, we see just how they're made & the work involved. It's a fascinating look into how these tools come to life.

vintage wheatley fly boxes

1/30/2019

Are you a collector of old fly boxes, particularly those made by the Richard Wheatley Company? These fine fly boxes have been in production for well over one hundred years. In that time, they've gone through a few minor changes which can help you to figure out just how old a Wheatley box might be.

In the video below, filmed at the Richard Wheatley Museum in England, we're taken through a very informative lecture showing how to date any Wheatley fly box. Most often you can tell the age of a box by the markings & stamping on it. This can be tricky, as these are subtle differences, but after watching this video you'll know if you have a rare vintage fly box & what to look for when collecting.

For generations Wheatley boxes have been the best made, best designed fly boxes you can attain. They are a luxury for any fly angler to carry. They are a fun item for anglers to collect as well. Don't be fooled by cheaply made modern imitations - Wheatley boxes are the best you can get, in my opinion. Watch this video & you'll know the era in which any of their boxes were made.

hand stitching leather, in the round

11/14/2018

Owning a quality leather fishing accessory that has been made completely by hand is a joy. Every time you use it you'll admire the fine craftsmanship that went into making it. One special point of interest in hand made leather goods is the stitching. When you see a hand stitched leather item you'll note that it is a cut above anything that was made by machine. You know that a lot of time, attention, skill, & work went into making your accessory - that it was made individually & not mass produced on a machine in a factory.

One example of hand stitching leather would be a round case of any kind - a reel case, a rod tube, etc. There are different styles of stitches traditional to leathercraft, & a round leather item typically uses two different stitches to make. Recently, I was in my shop making up some cases for the gift certificates I offer. These are a perfect example as they are a simplified version of the leather covered rod tubes that I make. Let's use this as an example to show you what goes into making round leather cases by hand. The finished cases are a great way to present a gift certificate:

To begin making a round case, a piece of leather the necessary size for the job is cut from a large hide. It's chosen for its grain (if any) & for its aesthetic qualities & strength, so it must be cut from the best place of the hide. Once the working piece of leather is cut, the stitching marks are laid out on the leather. In this instance the holes for the thread & needles are punched before the leather is wrapped around the tube. You'll see why in a minute.

In leather work, a diamond shaped awl is always used to punch the holes for the thread. This diamond shape is key to giving the stitches the proper shape, so each stitch lays down at an angle. In addition to looking good, this also gives the stitches more strength.

Once the holes are punched, I can then wrap the leather around the tube I'm covering. Some rubber bands hold the leather in place while I work.

Now that the leather is secure & the edges have been dyed & burnished, the stitching can begin. A long piece of very heavy thread is used to do this. It has two large leather needles attached at either end & both needles will pass though each hole in a certain & specific order. This is called a double butt stitch.

You might recognize this butt stitch: it's been used through the ages by shoemakers. You'll see this stitch on a traditional pair of shoes or boots on the back of the heel. Go ahead, take a look at some boots - you'll see what I mean.

Okay, now that the tube has been covered with the leather, it's going to need a cap. Leather rounds of the proper size are laid out on a larger piece of hide:

Once these rounds are cut out, the thread holes are marked out on them, indicating where each stitch will go. This ensures that I get even stitches all the way around the case. Since this is all work done by hand, I don't have the luxury of a machine marking out the stitches for me.

Attaching the round top & bottoms to the case is done using a box stitch. Again, this is a very traditional leather stitch that you will see on leather items that are stitched at their corners (where they might have corners). To see an example of a box stitch, look at any leather box, such as a tissue box cover or a covered jewelry box. Again, two needles & a long thread are used to make this stitch.

To finish this gift certificate case, all that's needed is to make a cap. The cap is made the same way as the body of the case we just discussed, though the tightness of the leather & the fit of it are much more crucial in the cap. Otherwise, the cap is made exactly the same way. Once the edges of the top & bottom caps are dyed & burnished, the case is complete.

Could all this stitching be done much faster & easier by machine? Sure, it could & there are some folks who make these cases (some quite renowned I'm sure you've heard of) that do just that. They don't take the time to make each stitch by hand, they just run it through a heavy-duty leather sewing machine & are done in no time. I don't do it that way. I take the time to stitch it by hand because it's worth it. Once glance will show you that these cases were made by hand, with traditional methods & painstaking attention to detail. I think that if you're going to purchase a quality leather fishing accessory, you want the best & the best, as they say, 'don't come easy'. In the end, it's the attention given to all the details - including each individual stitch - that makes owning a leather case truly special & something to cherish. That's why I do it this way.

the holiday gift guide!!!

11/10/2018

It's getting to be that time of year again when we all start looking for those gifts to give this holiday season & I thought I'd get a head start on things (for a change) this year. Well, if you want to give a special angler in your life a really great gift - or maybe you're an angler shopping to treat yourself - take a look at the Holiday Gift Guide.

There you'll find all kinds of ideas. Each item would make a really neat gift to give this year. Plus, there's something there for every budget, too. No matter if you're after something small to fill a stocking with, or you're after a truly memorable gift that will be cherished for a lifetime, you'll find it all (& everything in between) on this year's Holiday Gift Guide.

Some of the gift ideas listed there include:

the mini pack

This is a brand new offering - an accessory design that's truly unique that anglers are going to love using along the stream. This canvas Mini Pack is perfect for those times when you’re going light & don’t want to wear a vest or carry a fishing bag. This is a truly unique fishing accessory - there's not another like it anywhere. Keep all your essentials (tippet, leaders, nippers, etc) all in one place with quick & easy access while you're fishing with The Mini Pack!!

leather fly wallets

Always a popular gift for fly anglers, leather fly wallets are one of the most popular accessories I offer. With 6 to 8 fleece-material pages, these tri-fold wallets are a classy way to store your favorite submursive "bug puppets". I recommend barb-less hooks for flies stored in these wallets. They have two pockets - one in front & another in the back - to store leaders, etc as well. The leather is top quality - always. The variety of leather is always changing so many options are available. To see the different currently available fly wallets, please click HERE

matching leather accessories set

This is the perfect gift if you're not sure what to get an angler. That's because it is unique, truly a one-of-a-kind & there's only one set available. This is a 4 piece leather accessories set. Each accessory in this set was made from the same hide of leather, right in my shop. This makes for a perfect matching set which includes a hand stitched fishing bag, a leader wallet, fly wallet, & mini fly wallet - all at a very steep discount. For this set a premium, rich brown leather hide was chosen. Each accessory will stand up to a lifetime of heavy fishing.

hand stitched leather fishing bags:

These are two great, classic looking fishing bags perfect for a day along the stream. Step back in time with either of these traditional fishing bags. I have one each available of black, or yellow (butter) leather.

fly rods:

Want to give your special angler a fly rod that's already made & ready to go fishing with. Be sure to check out the Available Rods page to see what's currently listed there.

have a custom rod made for them!!

For a truly memorable gift that they'll remember for a lifetime, get them a custom rod all their own!! By making the down payment on a custom rod (or paying in full, if you prefer) you will reserve a place on the production list in the rod shop for their custom fly rod.

Here's how it works: You & I discuss what grade of rod you'd like to give them & I might have a few simple questions for you to help me figure out what they need in a rod. Then after you've made the down payment, or paid in full, I'll mail you a special certificate that states a custom fly rod has been ordered in your recipient's name for you to give them on the special day. Think of it as a gift certificate for a custom made fly rod.

To make the presentation of the certificate really extra-special, the gift certificate can come rolled up, scroll style, in a hand-stitched leather tube much like a round document or print case. This is a really nice touch & will make giving the certificate to that special angler even more special!! Please add $10 for this special presentation case. While the leather used may vary, here is what it looks like:

After you've surprised them with the certificate, the lucky angler can contact me & the two of us will work together to design the rod exactly how they want it, with all the personalized customization just for them.

The normal policies apply here, where the second half would be due only after the rod is completed, giving you at least a few more months to pay the rest of the rod price. Naturally, I would mail you hard copy receipts for any payments you made for your records.

Of course, if you know what they're going to want their fly rod to be, that's fine, too. I'll mail you the special certificate so you can present them with it while they wait for their rod of a lifetime to be made!! A custom fly rod is sure to put a smile on any angler's face!! Please contact me to discuss a special fly rod for a very special angler.

but wait, there's more!!

You'll see even more great gift ideas listed on the Holiday Gift Guide. In addition to those listed there, don't forget about all the other items I offer as well. Reel cases, leather leader wallets, rod bags, & mini fly wallets - there's so much more to choose from.

Please note: the last day to ship items in time for Christmas is December 20th. I would need to receive your payment before then (by check, money order, or paypal). After that, higher express shipping charges will apply.

Also please know that some of the items listed here are one-of-a-kind. In some instances there is only one of a particular item available. If you see something you want, please contact me to reserve it. While I try to keep a good supply of accessories in stock, should you need an accessory custom made for you, please plan ahead so your special gift can be made in time for delivery before the Holiday. In most cases this will be a 1 to 2 week wait time for custom orders. These are not mass-produced. Each item is made in my shop to our exacting standards.

need advice? i'm here to help!

I know how confusing it can be to pick out a great gift for an angler, especially if you don't fish. What do you get your special angler? Which item is the best one? I understand. If you're confused or uncertain about a gift idea you have for your angler & don't know where to turn, please feel free to contact me. Ask me any questions you have - even if it's about something I don't offer. I'll be happy help you out & give the best, honest advice I can. I want each of you to have a good experience this Holiday season.

new accessory now available!!!

11/5/2018

I am very excited to introduce the newest item in my line of fishing accessories:
The Mini Pack!!

With four expandable, accordion-style pockets, each with a velcro closure, it can hold just about all the essentials you’ll need along the water: tippet spools, leaders, floatant, nippers, a small fly box, etc. There’s room enough in here for everything. Since each pocket has it's own closure you can access only the pocket you need at any time without worry about anything falling out of the pack when open. Two snap closures on the flap allow you to keep it closed securely no matter how much it expands or how full you fill it. The swivel hook allows you to attach it to your vest, shirt, or belt. It can be hung from a lanyard & it could possibly even fit in a shirt or pants pocket, too.

There’s even a back pocket on the pack for holding your hemostats, pliers, or other hook-removing tool. A strap keeps the tool secured in the pack, but easily pulls open for quick access when taking a hook out of a fish’s mouth.

Tenkara anglers are going to love using this pack, as well as any angler who wants to keep the bulk of what they carry with them down. Going on a long hike to a hidden favorite piece of water? This pack is perfect for that. Fishing guides will also enjoy this pack, too as it keeps everything you’ll need for your clients close at hand. Do you wear a chest pack, but don’t like all the bulk & the size of them? This pack is exactly what you need.

I am so happy & proud to offer The Mini Pack to you. It's truly unique accessory, there's not another like it on the market. A lot of time & hard work went into the design of this accessory & we'd especially like to thank anglers John Svahn & Terryll Monroe for their help & inspiration in creating these packs. Thanks, guys!! The Mini Pack wouldn't have been possible without your help!

To read more about these packs & to see more photos, please visit the Accessories page.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you have about The Mini Pack.

All this & more will easily fit into The Mini Pack!!

coq de leon feathers

9/12/2018

Coq De Leon feathers are taken from a specific line of chickens that originated in the village of Leon in northern Spain. For those of you not familiar, these birds grow some very special feathers. Hackles made on them are the cleanest, neatest hackles you will ever use. Each barb of each feather is perfect & so very fine - like gossamer silk. This makes for a superior hackle on wet flies, streamers, & nymphs, as the feather moves so well in the water. No feather looks as life-like in the water as the Coq De Leon.

Spain has a very rich history of fly fishing - especially in the northern mountain region. Anglers from all over the world have coveted these feathers for generations because they're the best you can get. Some believe that it has something to do with the soil & environment in Leon that made these chickens grow special feathers. At any rate, these extremely desirable feathers were rarely available to fly tiers on the market until Whiting Farms in Colorado got involved in breeding these birds.

Below is a video taken on Whiting Farms explaining all about how they got into raising these birds & all about their special feathers. To anyone who ties their own flies, this is very interesting.

<<Previous

the pliant rod:

new: prudential series glass:

joe brooks documentary

leather clam shell fly reel cases

leather fly wallets: new & improved

REMAINING STOCK OF OLD STYLE FLY WALLETS ON SALE:

the making of the regal vise

vintage wheatley fly boxes

hand stitching leather, in the round

the holiday gift guide!!!

the mini pack

leather fly wallets

matching leather accessories set

hand stitched leather fishing bags:

fly rods:

have a custom rod made for them!!

but wait, there's more!!

need advice? i'm here to help!

new accessory now available!!!

coq de leon feathers

The Pliant Rod

These rods are available right now. please Go to the "Available rods" page for more details:

6'-4"
2/2, 4/5 wt
classical series bamboo

4'-4" one pc, 3/4 wt
"banty" bamboo

10'-0", 4 pc, 5/6 wt
custom series graphite

leather accessories

DISCOUNTED REEL CASES
(IN LIMITED SIZES & COLORS):

NEW!! SEE MORE ROD PHOTOS!!!

Watch Some Videos!!

Categories

Archives

the pliant rod:

​REMAINING STOCK OF OLD STYLE FLY WALLETS ON SALE:

the mini pack

leather fly wallets

matching leather accessories set

hand stitched leather fishing bags:

fly rods:

have a custom rod made for them!!

but wait, there's more!!

need advice? i'm here to help!

The Pliant Rod

These rods are available right now. please Go to the "Available rods" page for more details:

6'-4" 2/2, 4/5 wt​classical series bamboo

4'-4" one pc, 3/4 wt"banty" bamboo

10'-0", 4 pc, 5/6 wt​custom series graphite

leather accessories

DISCOUNTED REEL CASES ​(IN LIMITED SIZES & COLORS):

NEW!! SEE MORE ROD PHOTOS!!!

Watch Some Videos!!

Categories

Archives

REMAINING STOCK OF OLD STYLE FLY WALLETS ON SALE:

6'-4"
2/2, 4/5 wt
classical series bamboo

4'-4" one pc, 3/4 wt
"banty" bamboo

10'-0", 4 pc, 5/6 wt
custom series graphite

DISCOUNTED REEL CASES
(IN LIMITED SIZES & COLORS):