Stonefly
Bamboo, Fiberglass & Graphite Fly Rods
Meticulously Hand-Crafted for Maximum Performance & Aesthetics
custom Fly Rod FAQ
- Why should I buy a custom fly rod?
-
You should buy a custom fly rod for the same reason that you would by any
handcrafted work of art. You will know that your rod was carefully made by a
skilled craftsperson (and life-long fly fisher) who is dedicated to his art, not
in a factory where the goal is maximum production of a product hyped by
four-color advertising. You will know that the individual rod was built
specifically for you: the type of fishing that you plan to do, your fishing
skill level, your physical makeup, and your artistic taste. You will know that
your rod is one of a kind, that there is no other rod like yours anywhere.
- Do you have a line of rods?
No. Since there is no "line" of you, I build every rod individually, using my
50 years' experience fly fishing and rod building, and the buyer's preferences,
to suit the individual client. I fit the rod to the person, not the other way
around.- What makes your custom rod different from other custom rods?
- I select the best components from the marketplace -- the ones that are best
suited to your individual rod, not what's on hand -- and use extreme care in
every phase of rod construction. I learned my craft from some of the best rod
builders of the last 50 years, and have added my own special techniques to
theirs. When I make a rod, there are absolutely no compromises, whether in
materials, construction, labor, time, or aesthetics. I build each and every rod
as though I was building it for myself, then test it to make absoutely sure that
what the client and the maker have envisioned has been created. I personally want
you to have and to use the very best of fly rods, period.
- Will I catch more fish with a custom rod?
- Probably. Fly fishing is 90% presentation. With a rod built specifically for
you and your fishing situation, you will find that your casting is more
accurate, your line control is better, and the fly behaves better both in and on the
water than ever before. Fishing with more confidence, you will probably
increase your catch rate.
- What if I want to go after different fish than when I bought the rod?
- Buy another Stonefly rod! Seriously, the style and action of a rod can be
easily tailored to more than one fishing situation, as long as the range of
conditions is reasonable. An all-around trout rod will do for almost every
trout fly fishing situation, whether you use nymphs, dries, or streamers, but
you wouldn't use it for permit on the saltwater flats. Personally, I use my
favorite trout rod almost everywhere, whether I'm catching native cutthroat in a
small pocket water stream or landing 20+ inch lunkers in the San Juan River.
- Do you warranty your rods?
- When you buy a Stonefly custom fly rod, I strongly believe that you and I enter
into a partnership. As the rod owner, I expect that you will treat your rod
with care, but if it ever fails from something other than accidental damage or
mistreatment, I, the rod maker, will stand behind my work 100%.