Steffen 8'3" 5/6 wt.

I'm very excited to show my fourth Steffen fiberglass fly rod project built for a client. It features the first of my exclusive design slide band reel seats with black nickel hardware (classic flared ends) and a highly figured walnut wood insert. Joel Lemke was very kind to put his over thirty years of knowledge and my design ideas into making these beautiful reel seats for me. Pretty neat thing that this was possible in order to bring a unique look to my custom builds. On this rod I skipped the winding check for a more a neat and classy thread over cork wrap. The chestnut silk wraps turned considerably darker after receiving the epoxy and show a great contrast with the blank. The red tippings add a bit of color to the rod, signature wraps at the inscription, epoxy "rippled" and my handwriting add a truly unique touch to this special rod. I very much like myself this 5/6 wt. Steffen rod, has great feel and backbone. Being a casting fanatic I couldn't help myself not to test cast this rod before the last coat was applied. I loaded this thing with a Triangle Taper orange line and man it can cast! Throws beautiful loops, roll casts insanely and makes soft presentations at all distances. It's on my needs list allready. I hope my client would love it too. Stay posted for more Steffen builds this season and hope you like this one! Thanks.

 

 

Steffen 8'3" 5/6 wt. in progress

 

 

Spring edition Sage Z-Axis

Lemke reel seat exclusive designs

Unveiling my exclusive reel seat designs made by Joel Lemke. Beautifully machined, these seats feature bright nickel and dark nickle silver plating, straight lines knurls and highly figured stabilized woods. They are going to be standard seats for my heirloom quality fiberglass rod builds. Radiused ends or flared ends design for a more minimalist look to choose from.

Dan Craft's Five Rivers FT

Maybe the fastest taper in a fly blank to date. This is the rod that has put Dan Craft on the map some years ago. Although totally different rods, casting competitors have placed the 5wt. FT side by side with the TCR. It quickly gained popularity among casting fanatics and showed that getting into the backing is not an uncommon thing even at 350-400$.

This nine weight here is a classic build grade and a cannon of a fly rod that needs to be overlined with at least one weight. It can throw all kind of lines from shooting heads, short scandinavian/skagit lines, floating lines with bass bugs, pike streamers, clousers etc. to full sinking lines. Great for saltwater and stiff winds.
Fitted with hard chrome boat guides and oversized snake guides for saltwater use also. The terrific Lemke uplocking double locking ring reel seat with spalted oak wood insert is a fine piece of equipment that brings this satin grey blank to life. Thanks for looking at my work!

Sage Z-Axis vintage

This might possibly be the most "handsome" Sage I've built so far. Note the beautiful appointments on this rod in order to look "old school". "Smoked" components all the way along with the dark amber agate guide and a lustroust chestnut brown silk that looks crazy in the sun. The handle is very comfortable allowing great feel of the rod. My customer wanted something very special and had me choose the components for him. He suffers of an incurable disease but holding up well and has strong will and wants to fish this rod for many seasons to come. I admire people like him. I hope I did him justice. I will see this rod bent this season with my own eyes guiding him on my favorite trout waters. Get well soon buddy! The fish are waiting.

Vintage Sage in progress.