Putting The Node-less Five Weight To The Test

Smallmouth Bass On The Fly

I went out today with the node-less hollow scalloped Five weight to put it to the test. There is a stream near by that has some very large Smallmouth Bass in it. I figured throwing some small poppers at Bass that can weight up to Four pounds and sometimes beyond would be a great way to see what this node-less rod was made of. It passed with flying colors.

Do I recommend throwing small poppers to very large Bass on a Five weight? No. I just wanted to put it through its paces. The rod threw small poppers very well to be honest. I used it with TT5 floater today. It landed the large Bass as well as could be expected for a medium fast bamboo fly rod. 

Did I mention they love to eat poppers? Nothing better than that.

I am very happy with everything about this rod. It worked out great for fishing our larger spring creeks with dry flies and it can definitely handle small streamers and bigger fish. Thats what I was looking for.

Didn't get a lot of photos because I would rather fish when the fishing is good. When the sun came up  high the bite stopped. Great morning though. Here are some good examples of the size of the fish. Some were larger and some smaller. All fought and jumped well.

Smallmouth Bass

Thanks for looking as always.

About Rod Prices

Rod Prices

So, I get a lot of Emails asking about My rods. Most are general questions about the rods that I build. Some people wanna know more about My rod building background. The other big question is the price.

The Rods That I Build

I build the kind of rods that I like to fish. Medium fast tapers are what I like and what I spend time trying to develop. I like two piece rods. If a rod needs hollow scalloped to make the taper work the way I want then that is the way the rod is built without any extra cost. All reel seat hardware and the spacers that go into it are made by me. These are utilitarian, nothing fancy. They hold the reel where it is supposed to stay. Grips turned here also. Sometimes ferrules too if needed. Snake brand guides are standard. Stripper guides are REC or agate. Rods are wrapped in silk and or nylon. All cane is flamed to varying colors depending on what I feel like making at the moment or by request. All cane is heat treated in a professionally made heat gun oven or a very good convection oven for node-less rods. I am currently doing a run of node-less rods now. I like the actions better and the straightness of the sticks can't be beat. I believe I am going to stay with nod-less rods from here on out. The glue for My rods is UHU endfast 300 that is heat set.

My Rod Building Background 

I get this question a lot. I wish I could tell you that some famous old rod making legend showed me all the secrets to building a bamboo fly rod. That isn't so. I learned to build bamboo fly rods by doing research and work. I have been at this for about eight years now and still strive to learn and improve on every rod. I have put many hours into bamboo rod making. It is a great passion of mine. I truly enjoy it. Making a useable tool from a pile of sticks, some metal tubing and cork rings is very rewarding. A functional piece of art that a person has put his own blood, sweat and tears into. It takes around 40 to 60 hours to build a bamboo fly rod from scratch. If I don't make the ferrules a little less.

If your are looking for a name or some sort of lineage that is linked to it, I am not your rod builder. Sorry to disappoint. What I am is honest and hard woking at something that I really love to do. If you don't like the rod I built for you then send it back. No worries at all. I stand behind the rods that I create and will fix any issues that you may have with the rod if they do arise.

The Price

I am a new rod builder. I have just started selling rods outside My local area within the last couple years. I would like to thank all the kind people that have taken a chance on a rod from a newer builder on the rod making scene. I have had great feedback and reviews on all rods that have been sent out to customers. Again Thanks.

My current prices for rods start at $600.00 for a single tip rod and $750.00 for a two tip rod. I think this is a very fair price. On the low end of the bamboo fly rod market. I want to get rods out there for people to fish and to get the word out there about My rods. I believe a more than fair price is the best way to do this. All rods include custom made bag by My wife Betty and a standard landmark aluminum tube.

I hope this helps to answer a lot of the general questions I get about My work.

I appreciate all those who have taken interest in My rods. 

I also don't mind answering any rod building questions sent My way. If i can help I will. If not maybe I can send you in the right direction. We all have to start somewhere. You do not have to act like prospective buyer to ask a rod building or supply question. I will still help out if I can.

I do not sell blanks at this time. Thanks to all those that have asked. If I decide to make some for sale they will be listed on the sell page.

About Emails

If I do not answer an email within a short period of time, I may not have seen it yet or am fishing or at work. I will get back to you. Please do not take offense. I spend two solid days a week and many nights in the shop. I am also part owner of our long time family business. This is the work that I refer to. I have a family. Building and selling rods does not or could not pay all the bills. For now any way. My dedication to rod building is just as important as anything and the days spent in the shop are real work to make a product that I and the new owner will be proud to have.

Thanks to all those interested. I hope that this does not sound like too much of a rant. Just want to make things a lot clearer.

Instagram

I do have an Instagram account that you can check out. It is in the top left corner. Just some rod photos, building, fishing etc.

A Favorite Picture of Mine From My Favorite Stream

Thanks for looking. All questions, comments, suggestions, etc. are welcome.