Kretchman Bamboo Fly Rod Models
For years, I have been experimenting with various ways to hollow-build bamboo rods. My process for hollowing the cane includes leaving “dams” inside the 6 strips composing each section of the bamboo shafts to simulate the natural dams found in live bamboo. In living bamboo, these dams serve to strengthen the cane. Likewise, in my rod sections, the dams provide both strength as well as eliminating the tendency for hollow rods to loose their perfect hexagonal cross section. The result is a 20-25% weight reduction compared to solid rods yet they are just as powerful.
11' 2-handed Striper Fly Rod. Made for #8/9 Wt. lines, this 3-piece rod is just the ticket for our local stripers. It is patterned after a Payne salmon rod, only my version has a fixed lower handle. This makes it easier to cast. I also matched this rod with Shooting Head lines and making 80'+ casts is far easier than with a traditional WF-8 line. I'll be developing more Striper rod models this year, especially in the 9-10' range. All of these rods are hollow built 2-handed versions which makes them lighter in the hand and a joy to fish all day. The price is $3000 which includes the hollow building.
9' 6-wt. 2-Handed Striper Fly Rod. As noted above, I've had lots of interest from people who want a lighter saltwater rod to fish for 'schoolies'- smaller stripers up to 25" or so. This hollow rod is ideal for those stripers and makes it fun to catch them. It's also light enough to cast with one hand, but the lower handle really makes for effortless casting.
P-206: After fishing a fantastic 9' Payne (early 30's model 206) for years, I finally decided to design a new model based on that taper- but with a twist: it is hollow-built. The result is truly an amazing rod. It is so light in the hand, yet casts a #5 line with ease. 60' casts are so easy with this rod. We like it even better than the original Payne! It is a 3-piece rod so this makes it easy for traveling. The price is $3000 for this 3-piece, Hollow built rod. If you want a longer rod for that extra reach but not the heaviness of a solid rod, this rod should get your attention.
In the summer of 2010, I finally completed my first truly great hollow-built trout rod (see model 804 below). It is based on an 8’ Lyle Dickerson Model 8012 rod that is one of my all-time favorites. Little did I know, that the original Dickerson 8012 I own was also made as a hollow rod. It delicately casts a 4-wt. line with grace yet can punch it into a breeze too.
Partly because we live within 300’ of salt water, I have developed a longer hollow rod for striper and salmon fishing. In the Fall of 2014, I fished the Margaree River for the first time and used a wonderful old Payne 10 1/2’ salmon rod with a 6" detachable lower handle. What a magnificent rod! It easily handled a WF-8 line, and with some improvements, my hollow version is much lighter in the hand. If you are interested in one of these models, please let me know. After testing prototypes, I hope to present more truly outstanding rods for big-fish waters...!
Hollow-Built rods are $250 extra. I will be making more hollow-built models, so please ask if you desire a lighter rod.
All 3-piece models listed below and the "Tribute to Ed Payne" Model are available in Signature and Presentation Grades only, while the 2-piece models are available in all 3 grades: Classic, Signature, and Presentation Grades. Due to it's complexity to make with the detachable handle and intermediate wraps, the Tribute to Ed Payne rods are priced at $3000 is solid built, and $3250 for hollow built.
Please be aware that Maine residents are subject to 5.5% sales tax.
11' 2-handed Striper Fly Rod. Made for #8/9 Wt. lines, this 3-piece rod is just the ticket for our local stripers. It is patterned after a Payne salmon rod, only my version has a fixed lower handle. This makes it easier to cast. I also matched this rod with Shooting Head lines and making 80'+ casts is far easier than with a traditional WF-8 line. I'll be developing more Striper rod models this year, especially in the 9-10' range. All of these rods are hollow built 2-handed versions which makes them lighter in the hand and a joy to fish all day. The price is $3000 which includes the hollow building.
9' 6-wt. 2-Handed Striper Fly Rod. As noted above, I've had lots of interest from people who want a lighter saltwater rod to fish for 'schoolies'- smaller stripers up to 25" or so. This hollow rod is ideal for those stripers and makes it fun to catch them. It's also light enough to cast with one hand, but the lower handle really makes for effortless casting.
P-206: After fishing a fantastic 9' Payne (early 30's model 206) for years, I finally decided to design a new model based on that taper- but with a twist: it is hollow-built. The result is truly an amazing rod. It is so light in the hand, yet casts a #5 line with ease. 60' casts are so easy with this rod. We like it even better than the original Payne! It is a 3-piece rod so this makes it easy for traveling. The price is $3000 for this 3-piece, Hollow built rod. If you want a longer rod for that extra reach but not the heaviness of a solid rod, this rod should get your attention.
In the summer of 2010, I finally completed my first truly great hollow-built trout rod (see model 804 below). It is based on an 8’ Lyle Dickerson Model 8012 rod that is one of my all-time favorites. Little did I know, that the original Dickerson 8012 I own was also made as a hollow rod. It delicately casts a 4-wt. line with grace yet can punch it into a breeze too.
Partly because we live within 300’ of salt water, I have developed a longer hollow rod for striper and salmon fishing. In the Fall of 2014, I fished the Margaree River for the first time and used a wonderful old Payne 10 1/2’ salmon rod with a 6" detachable lower handle. What a magnificent rod! It easily handled a WF-8 line, and with some improvements, my hollow version is much lighter in the hand. If you are interested in one of these models, please let me know. After testing prototypes, I hope to present more truly outstanding rods for big-fish waters...!
Hollow-Built rods are $250 extra. I will be making more hollow-built models, so please ask if you desire a lighter rod.
All 3-piece models listed below and the "Tribute to Ed Payne" Model are available in Signature and Presentation Grades only, while the 2-piece models are available in all 3 grades: Classic, Signature, and Presentation Grades. Due to it's complexity to make with the detachable handle and intermediate wraps, the Tribute to Ed Payne rods are priced at $3000 is solid built, and $3250 for hollow built.
Please be aware that Maine residents are subject to 5.5% sales tax.
6'
Model 601
6 1/2'Model 663M (medium)Model 663DF (dry fly) |
7'Model 704L (light)71/2'Model 764 - "Special Light Taper"Model 765Model 765DF (dry fly)
7' 9"Model 795 Parabolic |
8'
“Tribute to Ed Payne” Travel RodModel 804 (hollow-built)Model 805M (medium)Model P- 102Parabolic for 5/6 lines9'
Model P- 206 (Early Payne 5-wt...)9' Two-Handed Striper Rod, 3-piece
11'2-Handed Striper Rod for 8/9-wt. Lines |
F. D. Kretchman Rod Co.
46 Crockett Neck Rd. Kittery Point, ME 03905 Open: By Appointment only. |
[email protected]
603-801-5745 |
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