After several fall fishing trips, I was able to get back into the workshop and finish this custom bamboo wading staff for a client. With a background in Alaska, he asked me to do some custom wraps in colors that are often used in Alaskan Artwork. Here is the staff I completed for him.
Custom Bamboo Wading Staff
Bamboo Wading Staff with custom wraps
Custom English Walnut End Cap on Cork Grip
I’ve recently added a powerful little 3 wt rod to my Fast Action Series of fly rods. This is a wonderful little rod with lots of power for getting flies of any size into tight spots on small creeks and streams. My plan was that this rod would be a new one for me but as I was half-way though the build process, one of my clients stepped up and asked if it could be his. He chose highland green silk wraps, a maple burl reel seat, and custom engraved down-locking threaded band reel seat hardware. So, it’s off to Seattle, destined to fish the little mountain creeks in the Cascade mountain range.
6′ 6″ Fast Action 3 wt. rod.
My new Fast Action Series of bamboo fly rods has been pretty popular with clients recently. I just completed a new 8′ 0″ 3 piece 5 wt. Bamboo Rod, headed to a client in Vermont. This is a wonderfully smooth casting rod with plenty of power that makes casting effortless, perfect for someone looking for a faster action rod.
An 8′ 0″ 3 piece Fast Action 5 wt. rod.
Very nice Highland Green primary wraps with Straw and Black tippping wraps.
I’ve been working with Olivia Elia for over 4 years now mentoring her in the art of building bamboo fly rods, and she is now building some incredible bamboo fly rods. She is also a talented Luthier building custom acoustic guitars and a musician. FlyFish Journal Magazine recently showcased her in an article in their magazine. And…now they have come out with a wonderful short video about Olivia…and there are a few shots of me also! You can check out the video at: SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING: Handmade Guitars and Bamboo Fly Rods crafted by Olivia Elia.
For the past few years, I’ve been working at designing and building Custom Bamboo Wading Staffs, and I’m excited to announce that I’m now offering them to customers. I build these Wading Staffs from the same Select Tonkin Bamboo that I build my fly rods with…they aren’t made from engineered bamboo flooring material. I offer these Staffs in lengths from 48″ to 52″, and build them with a custom Cork grip, an English Walnut end cap, and Pearsalls Cardinal Silk wrapping thread. I also include a retractor from Gear Keeper. The cost for these Bamboo Wading Staffs is $600.
Custom Bamboo Wading Staff
Custom Bamboo Wading Staff