Another Sage ESN.

Here is a Sage ESN 2100-4 build in a classic grade. Fitted with a classic black anodised Lemke small diameter reel seat with local walnut wood, slim snub-nose flor grade cork handle with a tiny elegant nickel silver winding check on top, dark green silk wraps and dark red signature wraps. Simple and understated, this is just a beautiful rod. 

The finish work is what sets my builds apart and this rod is finished with my utmost attention to detail, like always.

This blank model has just been discountinued by Sage (along with the One and Circa) so right now it is available at a lesser price. I love the 2100-4 because it's so light yet powerful ten foot rod that can also cast well with the proper line. Such a fun rod. Thanks for looking everyone!

Fiberglass Fly Rods. 20'th Anniversary Edition.

One year ago, I received an email from a gentleman named Victor Johnson, an author who writes books on flyfishing. Victor wrote:

"My first book was called Fiberglass Fly Rods and it was released in 1996. It was written by my father and me as we enjoyed fishing fiberglass fly rods and felt the new graphite rods were too stiff. To be honest, we felt the book was not going to be commercially successful as everyone wanted the new graphite rods. That feeling proved to be correct and we had a hard time selling all our books for $19.95. In the period since 1996, the world has rediscovered the joy of fishing fiberglass fly rods. Now, my first book sells used for several hundred dollars on Amazon (but unfortunately I do not have any left). I have been asked by many of my 4000 readers to write a 20 year update on Fiberglass Fly Rods, wich I am currently doing. A number of people have spoken favorably about your fiberglass rods (i.e., Shane Gray, Dusty Smith, etc)."

I was extremely honored to find out that Victor wanted to write a chapter about me and my rods so he sent me an interview. One year later, the book was released and I received two copies of it. 

The book contains valuable information about fiberglass fly rods and the history behind them along with profiles of contemporary rod builders. A wealth of knowledge. To be featured among american living legends like Tom Morgan and Mark Steffen and also fellow colleagues like Shane Gray, Christian Horgren, Yasuyuki Kabuto, Zeb Tonkavich, Chris Barclay, Carl McNeil and many others was very cool and a privilege. Of course, Cameron nailed it on the foreword and his experience with fiberglass fly rods is immense.

I want to very much thank Victor Johnson for the consideration and for including me in his wonderful book and everyone that recommended me and that have been part of writing this book. I am sure many other builders that have not been featured in the book, very much deserve it. 

If you want to add this book to your library, please check Victor Johnson's website and contact him directly to receive a copy. 

Epic 590C

Here is a beautiful Epic 590 carbon build I've finished a week ago. The blank was built in presentation grade and is one of the most sought after new rods available. A sweet finesse medium-fast action and fast recovery speed, very light weight with lots of power for that big trout on dry fly. 

Comes in a classic design with the blank having a spiraled unsanded finish. I turned a beautiful western style grip form the best cork available. The beautiful black anodised uplocking reel seat with amboyna wood (turned in house), the new Snake Brand ECOting snake guides have a gorgeous vintage patina (the most beautiful guides I've ever seen) and the amber agate guide wrapped in dark gold japanese silk coupled with my utmost attention to detail tops them all in a classy combination . 

This rod was made on order with free choice on cosmetics. Thanks for looking!

Sage Mod

I recently finished this gorgeous Sage rod, their latest offering called the Mod. First thing that striked me about this rod was the color, of course. The next thing was how light this thing felt for a nine foot four weight rod. 

Sage created a unique rod that is very different to what they had in their line before. The blank itself has a very interesting combination of a parabolic-progressive taper design that bends somewhat like the older rods but will most likely outperform any of them. This thing is a highly effective rod not only for technical dry fly fishing but also for euro-nymphing, as I've been able to find out this spring on my local river. It is deadly accurate with long leader single or double nymph french style rigs and due to the taper design, casting a long leader has never been easier. 

I could do it all well with this Mod 490-4 myself because it feels so light in the hand, but for me and the conditions here a 390-4 (or even 290-4) will probably be the perfect dry-nymph rod. For the relaxed casting guy this rod might probably shine, not only because it's a looker but because it does so well for what it was indended. Close-in to medium distances, and like any Sage rod, will cast far if you need it to.

The build is my classic grade. A striking combination of bright silver hardware with a rare piece of amboyna wood (two toned). The classic Universal snake guides and Mildrum type stripping guide are a perfect match and they are wrapped in a classy gold silk with dark red signature wraps. The handle is made of premium cork in a comfortable, reversed half wells shape. I didn't want to do a green to green color scheme and I think it came out pretty great.

This rod might become available but I'll let you know about that later. Meanwhile thanks for looking and I hope you'll enjoy the pictures.