Swift Epic 480 Mocha

Another Mocha finished in presentation grade. This one will bend in CO this summer. Hope to have some fishy pics later. Thank for looking!

RIP Tom Morgan

With great sadness, I have found out yesterday morning that Tom Morgan had passed away.

It's a sad day for rodbuilders and fly fishers alike. We have to apreciate what Tom Morgan has done in the world of fly rods and the sport in general. His design philosophy is unique and in the little time I have spent building a few of his new glass blank designs, I have noticed they were something special. I wish I could have more of his blanks at hand or that they will be produced again. I always enjoy re-reading his stories, articles or interviews....He was a kind person and a genius rod designer. A perfectionist. In the emails we exchanged in the last couple of years, I showed Tom some of the waters I fish. I knew he liked to talk about fishing. He found them to be very similar to the japanese mountain streams and he very much enjoyed my photos.

This is the last email I received from Tom, shortly before he sold the company. I feel honored to share it:

"Hello George,

Thank you for your good wishes. I have been in the rod business for 42 and am proud of my legacy. I think I have made some wonderful contributions first at Winston then at Tom Morgan Rodsmiths. My designs have always been based from a fisherman's point of view and not a tournament caster.

Gerri and I are confident we can find another angler who is passionate about fly fishing and can continue our company.

I'm 74 and ready to do some other things. One is writing a book on my fishing experiences in Montana before there were a lot of anglers. Anglers today will have a hard time believing my stories and the lack of fishermen.

Best regards,

Tom"

Rest in peace Tom. You will be greatly missed.