Well, where did this Summer go?   We hope you all have enjoyed some Fall fishing and are starting to think about tackle needs for next year.  Something new for us this Fall is the development of a new model, called the P-206, which is a wonderful 9' Hollow Built 3-piece rod that is amazing to cast with a #5 line.  It was patterned after two original Paynes which I owned and fished.  Built in the 1930's, both rods were so smooth and easy to cast.  Since there are many of us who like to fish 5 weight lines and sometimes need the extra length to reach farther out, we decided to build out our version of this rare Payne model.  Early 1931 Payne catalogs listed this as a model 206 (not to be confused with later 8 1/2' Paynes labeled as model 206).  It was also decided to hollow build this model to reduce weight and make this rod more comfortable in the hand.  If you are considering a long, lightweight rod for #5 lines, contact us to discuss this new model.  
Also, if you're looking for gift ideas for that special fly fisher in your life, we have many vintage rods available, included a large assortment which are not yet listed on this site.  Contact us if you have any questions.   Thanks and Happy Holidays!
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Just published by this German company, Gestalten,  I received my copy as a contributor and I am very impressed.  Loaded with fantastic photos, this is one book I cannot put down!  Photos of my rods are on pages 19 & 20.   The authors have done a nice job of covering the many aspects of our sport, and here are some of the chapters:  Equipment, Fly Tying, How to Cast, Fish Species, Portraits of famous companies, and On Location ( USA, Africa, Asia, Argentina, Chile, Russia).  You can order a copy from their web site: Gestalten.com.  I believe the price is $60.  For the money, it will give you many hours of reading pleasure.  

Now that most of the fly fishing Shows are over, let me say thank you to all the many 'old' friends who attended and stopped by our display look at our rods and chat a bit.  Several new orders resulted, which is always gratifying.  One rod that really peaked an interest is my striper model.  This 3-piece, 11 1/2' hollow-built rod was cast by many folks at the Eldredge Brothers Fly Expo, and when loaded with my Rio Shortbound shooting head, it was a rocket launcher.  One local striper guide was able to cast over 70' using only one hand!  Imagine what he could do if he used the lower handle with his second hand...  We were limited by the barn at the end of the parking lot, about 75+feet away, so this rod is a great first-attempt at making a saltwater model for stripers.  It is based on a Payne salmon rod taper.  

This is the second year the Merrimack TU Chapter will host this show at the Manchester location.  Last year, over 850 folks attended this one-day show, and we expect over 1000 attendees this year.  This Annual Fly Fish New Hampshire Show will take place again at the Executive Court Banquet Facility located at 1199 South Mammoth Rd. in Manchester, NH on   Saturday,  February 25, 2017.  The show opens at 9:00 AM and closes at 4:00.  I'll display my new bamboorods as well as some vintage rods for sale.  In additon, you may bring your vintage rods and tackle for a quick appraisal.  See you there!

This annual event is hosted in the Middle School Gym and runs from 9 to 4 PM.  Come out and cast some bamboo or check out the vintage rods brought to educate us.  I'll bring some unique rods to show and also a few for sale.  You are welcome to cast any rods I bring so come on over this Saturday. 

This show is held January 26, 27, & 28th.  I'll be attending this show again this year, only I won't have a booth.  Instead, I'll be socializing with old friends and making new ones.  In addition, I am delivering several rods to customers and picking up more for repairs.  If I can be of service to you, please let me know and perhaps we can connect at this show.  You can call me on my cell phone number listed on this site.  If you would like to see some of my new and/or used rods for sale, let me know prior to Thursday afternoon so that I can bring them along with me.  For those of you who have never attended this show, it is billed as the largest fly fishing show in the country and each year it is attended by many thousands of fly fishers.  It is located at the Garden State Exposition Center just off Rt. 287 in Somerset,   

Once again, we'll be at this wonderful fly fishing expo. with new rods as well as some old vintage bamboo rods for you to cast and purchase.  This event is held rain or snow or shine, so mark it on your calendar for Saturday, March 25, and plan to have a fun day.  Free food is available, courtesy of the Great Bay Chapter of Trout Unlimited.  Other displays will include some Maine camps, reel makers, and fly tyers.   The show officially starts at 9 AM and usually ends around 4:00.   Admission is free so come out to this premier fly shop's annual expo.

This quaint show attracts local fly fishers, expecially families, and is always a fun day.  Please come visit for an educational day- watch insects collected from a nearby stream; learn how to tie fish-catching flies from local experts, and talk to me about bamboo rods- both my new models and vintage tackle.  Feel free to bring your old tackle for an appraisal.  The show runs from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  It is FREE to attend, so bring your family and friends.  Children are especially encouraged to attend.  

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Once again, I'll be displaying my new rods as well as some vintage ones at this popular show, sponsored by the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum.  The show this year is November 5th & 6th, and held at the Ethan Allen Wayside Inn.  This show is very informal and allows attendees to visit in a relaxed environment.  There will be many excellent fly tyers and sellers of just about everything fly fishing.  Please stop by and say hello, waggle some bamboo, and maybe take home a treasure too.  Visit the Catskill Museum's web site for time and directions. 
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I recently acquired a limited amount of early, Pre-Embargo bamboo, that was originally used by Rangeley, Maine, rod maker Ken Crocker.  Not much is known about Mr. Crocker but his rods occasionally turn up on the used rod market and are coveted by fly fishers.  According to a 1959 newspaper article, Ken was making rods from bamboo that was "25-40 years old"... That is the bamboo I now have and will be able to use to make custom fly rods.  Some of the culms have been flamed by Mr. Crocker and others are still blonde.  Due to the short length of these culms, (up to 40"), we will be limited to 3-piece rods.  Let us know if you desire a special rod made from this Crocker bamboo with an historical Rangeley connection.  

August is a busy month for us, and we just completed a weekend of rod-making demonstrations at the 83rd. annual League of N.H. Craftsmen's Fair at Mount Sunapee.  The opening weekend attracted over 9000 attendees and many stopped by our display to discover how bamboo rods are crafted.  The League is considered one of the finest juried craft organizations in the country, so it attracts visitors from across the country every year.  
If you missed that show, don't worry, we'll be demonstrating in Portland, Maine, on August 27th (9 AM-4PM) at the Portland Fine Craft Show.  See Mainecrafts.org for more information.  This show combines hundreds of artists and juried craftsmen each year.  Several blocks on Congress are closed to traffic so we can set up our displays, and there are many fine eating establishments along the street too, so come see us and enjoy a fun day in this upscale seaport town.  I'll have a selection of my split bamboo rods available for sale and orders will be taken for custom rods as well.