April 2019 (Volume 63) Dedicated to the Making o f F i n e Bamboo Fly Rods

Inside this issue:

The First Cast 3 Book Review: 5 The Letters to Everett Garrison

Using Thermocouples 9 For More Consistent Heat Treatment

Rodmaker Profile: 14 Steve Taylor Enamel Scraping and 21 Sanding Forms

Rodmaker Profile: 27 Harry Boyd Photo from Steve Taylor Twisting Rods 37

Rodmaker Profile: 39 Gordon Koppin

Photo from Harry Boyd P a g e 2 P a g e 3 The First Cast Todd Talsma, Editor Well, this issue is way behind release schedule, but I didn’t want to re- lease an issue early and have it be less than what I would like to see. Power Fibers Hopefully this will be OK with the readers, but I hope to put together enough material to get back on track in July. Online Magazine

The interview/profile process has been rewarding. It’s nice getting to know some of these guys a little better. There are so many makers creat- ing wonderful rods right now, I think I could keep doing these interviews Editor for years! As always, please give me some feedback on the questions be- Todd Talsma ing asked and also other rodmakers you’d like to see interviewed. If you have someone in mind and would like to do the interview, go ahead. I’d love to see how others would approach these as well. Contributors Boyd, Harry I’m fortunate in that I have a relatively short commute to work every day. This being said, it does take me about 30 minutes to get to and from Dahlin, Lars-Göran work. Similar to my rodmaking, it seems as if when I have 30 minutes I Gowe, Daniel can get something positive done. I’ve been listening to podcasts for sev- eral years now while I’m driving. Lately, I’ve been listening to several Koppin, Gordon flyfishing related podcasts. The first is The Iterant Angler podcast. This McGuire, Michael podcast has a lot of interviews and covers a wide range of locations and Scott, Kathy species. Another favorite has be- come April Vokey’s Anchored pod- Taylor, Steve cast. In this podcast, April interviews fishing related individuals from Warning! Copy Editors around the globe. I like this podcast Bret Reiter because I can learn from April’s in- Because many aspects of bam- Carol Talsma terviewing techniques and I can also boo rodmaking bring the maker Mark Wendt learn about species and subjects I in contact with machinery, may not have had on my radar be- bladed tools, volatile chemicals fore. I’ve just gotten caught up on the and gases, the editor and advi- Advisory Board first two podcasts, so I started look- sory board of Power Fibers ask ing for another. I stumbled upon the you to exercise the utmost cau- Russ Gooding Orvis Flyfishing Guide podcast and tion when attempting to build Bob Maulucci have been enjoying the subject matter or mimic any devices or activi- Bob Nunley presented on the podcast. This is a ties mentioned in this magazine. J.D. Wagner shorter format podcast and it starts with some very solid beginning fly- Please have any devices you build and use in your shop fishing tips and then builds from For more info contact: there. This podcast has been around checked by a safety professional for quite a while (over 10 years) so before attempting to use such Todd Talsma I’m sure it will be interesting to see devices. This is to guarantee [email protected] how the podcast changes over time. your personal safety and that of 8412 North Maple Court others around you. Zeeland MI 49464 I can always use more ideas, feel free 616.772.5043 If you choose to build any de- to contact me. If you have a sugges- Copyright © 2018 by Power Fibers tion about improving Power Fibers, vice or use any technique found drop me an email at the following in this magazine, you are doing email address: pow- so at your own risk. [email protected] P a g e 4 P a g e 5 Quick Book Review: Letters to Garrison Text and photos from Todd Talsma

A while ago, Ron Barch (https://aldercreekangling.com/) sent me a copy of The Letters to Everett Garrison by Kathy Scott. Due to lack of time, I hadn’t been able to read the book until recently. I’m glad I picked it up and read it!

When the book came out, I expected it to simply be a compilation of letters, similar to the Guild let- ters which can be found in the downloads area of the Power Fibers site. These would be interesting, but I didn’t think it would be “worthy” of a book.

I’m pleased to say I completely misunderstood what this book contains. In it, we get glimpses of correspondence to Everett Garrison from a wide range of individuals. The correspondents inquire about rods and also health events in Garrison’s life. I’m struck by individuals looking for updates on rods Garrison is making for them and though anxious or questioning the selection of rod, they still defer to Garrison to make the rod decision.

I find myself wanting more, especially the correspondence from Garrison’s side. What more could we learn had we been able to read his responses to the inquiries we see in this book? I look at the electronic correspondence we tend to use these days and marvel at the speed with which we can con- nect with the world. When I started rodmaking, the first few contacts I made were via mailed let- ters. Sometimes I miss the “old ways” of communicating and this book takes me back to the charm of letter writing.

All in all, I would highly recommend picking up this book. It is definitely and interesting read.

On the following pages, I’ve included a paper Kathy Scott sent me regarding the importance of let- ters. (Continued on page 6) P a g e 6

Kathy Scott, February 2019

On the Importance of Letters

While researching a looseleaf notebook of letters written to classic rodmaker Everett Garrison, I came upon one from Lewis W. Douglas. It was typed on the Ambassador’s stationery, but with a handwritten note at the bottom: “I’m so sorry to hear that you went through the Valley of Darkness also. I had never known of your mishap. This makes us companions.”

Such a cryptic, personal comment from Douglas was intriguing. It must have meant something to Garrison because he kept the letter.

In the notebook, there are over 300 others he also kept.

Why do we keep letters? Maybe for the personal, tactile connection, a person picked up a pen and paper, or sat at a typewriter and loaded that sheet. He or she wrote those words, then folded the pa- per, put it in an envelope, addressed it, and sent it. While this notebook of letters may have enabled Garrison to “touch” their writers, these are also the letters that Everett Garrison kept, so, in turn, by holding them, we are that much closer to “touching” Garrison himself.

Who hasn’t kept a letter? A keepsake from a cherished loved one now gone? a letter sent home from college, from war? a love letter? a child’s first awkward words? Or, in a rodmaker’s case, an account of rivers fished with a newly purchased rod, a gift unexpected and joyously received, a bucket list fly rod gleefully acquired, or maybe the humorous tale of how a rod was damaged ac- companied by a sheepish request for a repair? All of the latter are found in the letters kept by Ever- ett Garrison.

Many of the people behind the letters Everett Garrison kept are unknown to the rest of us, but were obviously known to him. In discovering the person behind each letter, we add to the richness of our own lives, a new acquaintance across time, one who shares our common passion. We also gain a fuller look at the people who enriched Garrison’s life. He knew the Secretary of State, but he also knew the boy who fished the nearby creek. His patrons where famous collectors and practical an- glers, as well as the girl whose father introduced Hoagy B. Carmichael to Everett Garrison. We all know how that turned out. Mentioned in some of the letters are their film collaboration and the forthcoming book, a book which, according to many, sparked the renaissance of rodmaking, but set us wondering, too, about the man behind it.

Letters help flesh out a biography. They give a bit of backstory.

Collections of letters, like the 300+ Garrison saved, offer us a chronology, a chance to see how they change over time. Historical events, life events. The collected letters to Garrison span the years 1947 to 1975. Historically, they offer glimpses into the aftermath of World War II, to the movers and shakers of the post-War world, to everyday life. As for Everett Garrison’s life, they reveal his emergence as a rodmaker, his acceptance into the social circle of the Anglers Club of New York, his hobbies (photography, hunting), and, in time, his declining health.

Letters are what librarians and historians call primary sources, eyewitness accounts . Granted, they only reflect the perspective of their writers, but they give us a vicarious first-hand view. In the case of the letters written to Everett Garrison, there is plenty of testimony to the effectiveness of his fly (Continued on page 7) P a g e 7 rods. The Atlantic salmon rods, especially, inspire detailed accounts of their action and fish caught. Rivers are named, fishing trips described. But there are also glimpses of the man, Everett Garrison. He is respected, he is adored. As much as those who wrote him reveal something of themselves, they also illuminate aspects of Garrison and his life. He replied to letters promptly. He offered en- couragement to aspiring rodmakers, and conferred with established ones. His interest reached be- yond the split bamboo fly rod; he was intrigued with world exploration.

Letters lead us to unexpected places. Who would have guessed that Everett Garrison corresponded with the Arctic adventurer Hugo Neuberg? Not a rich man, Garrison was moved to add to Neu- berg’s financial backing for an expedition to Mt. Ararat, rare to have access in the Middle East at the time.

Letters can lead to unexpected turns, too. A sporting shop owner wrote, humbly requesting that Garrison refinish the Q-8-5 numbered rod which Garrison had made for a Mrs. Strawbridge, feeling reluctant to refinish it for her himself. Mrs. Strawbridge is otherwise unnamed. Maybe he expected that Garrison would recognize her from the fly rod’s serial number, or maybe she needed no other introduction. Or both.

But who was she? Mary Rockefeller Strawbridge, daughter of Nelson Rockefeller, has a lineage back to Garrison rods through her father’s associates. Vice President Nelson Rockefeller was the Assistant Secretary of State in 1940, and in 1945 invited Garrison enthusiast John J. McCloy to join his law firm. Among the earliest of the letters to Garrison are those from McCloy and his brother-in -law, Lewis Douglas, who wrote the message to Garrison at the bottom of his letter, mentioned ear- lier. Mary’s name rose to tragic prominence in 1961, when she joined her father in searching for her twin brother Michael, lost on an expedition to New Guinea, presumably killed by native headhun- ters. Was it her?

Or, did the rod belong to Gwendolin Strawbridge? Just after researching the collected letters, I chanced to meet a Garrison enthusiast in the Catskills, George Loveless. He gifted me a copy of an- other letter, a letter Everett Garrison himself had written in 1970. In it, Garrison explains, “Suggestions from very unexpected places have helped to evolve the rod as I am making it at this time… The hand grasp suggested by Gwendolin Strawbridge while on the Broadhead made it much easier to handle, with longer casts no effort.” No only is it clear from this additional letter that Gar- rison was open to the evolution of his rods, we know of another person, another place, in his life. Who was Gwendolin Strawbridge? A mystery so far. So far.

As for the initial intrigue, the Valley of Darkness-companion reference, the mystery also remains. Still, there could be clues. Lewis Douglas served as our Ambassador in post-War London from 1947 to 1950. During this period, in 1949, he lost his left eye in a fishing accident and wore a black patch over it from then on. Is that the Valley of Darkness? The mishap? Douglas’ letters are dated, and this collection contains more than one. In 1947, Douglas wrote Garrison about a rod just re- ceived. Then, in 1949, a subsequent letter contains the handwritten note. The truth of the reference lies with the two men, but our connection to Garrison draws just a bit closer, because he kept some letters. P a g e 8

P a g e 9 Using Thermocouples For More Consistent Heat Treatment Text, figures and photos from Michael McGuire

Below is the temperature vs. time profile of my PID controlled oven and a bundle of bamboo strips in it monitored with a thermocouple attached to the bamboo.

In this test, the oven and the bamboo started at room temperature. The oven reached and stabilized at its set point temperature of 365° F in about 15 minutes. The temperature of the bamboo lagged the oven for quite a long time. If I had not been monitoring its temperature, I would have had no idea of what temperature cycle I had put it through. Surveying the literature on heat treating bamboo, I have found no mention of anyone monitoring actual bamboo temperature in their processes, let alone any mention of it lagging oven temperature.

An obvious question is: Why the lag? The likely answer is that it is due to the thermal properties of the water entrained in the bamboo. Between 0° C (the freezing point) and 100° C (the boiling point) it takes only one calorie per gram of water to raise its temperature 1° C. At 100° C the next 1° rise requires 539 calories — the heat of vaporization. Until the water is boiled out the bamboo, the tem- perature rise is limited. In the plot above, there is an obvious change in slope of the bamboo curve at about 230° F. This is the point where steam started coming out of the oven. This is a bit above the 212° F / 100° C boiling point at normal sea level atmospheric pressure. This suggests that the higher temperature is required to generate the pressure inside the bamboo for the vapor to escape. As the temperature rises, proportionately more tightly entrained water can vaporize and get out.

(Continued on page 10) P a g e 10

This observed lag makes a strong case for monitoring. It is rather simple to do this with a thermo- couple. A thermocouple is junction of a pair of wires of dissimilar metals. It produces a voltage which varies with the temperature of the junction. The most useful and common type of thermocou- ple is type K, chromel-alumel — color code yellow for positive, red for negative. Chromel and alu- mel are alloys which, as a junction, produce a relatively large change in voltage per change in tem- perature. Thermocouple wire is sold as a pair — the chromel and the alumel. It’s available both solid and stranded and in various gauges and with various types of insulation depending on the tempera- ture range it has to stand. A number of vendors offer it. I got mine from McMaster-Carr. I recom- mend 24 gauge solid wire with fiberglass insulation. It runs around one to two dollars per foot. This size is robust enough to not be delicate to handle, but should be easy to fish into an oven attached to bamboo without compromising the insulation of the oven. The junction can be made by removing the insulation and twisting the wires together. At temperature the wires will oxidize and the junction becomes unreliable. It needs to be welded in some way. The ideal way is to form a little bead at the end which takes something as hot as oxy-acetylene. Spot welding also works. Failing that, one can lay the twist on an anvil and hit it with a hammer to cold weld it. In use, I whip the junction in con- tact with the bamboo with cotton string.

The most primitive measuring setup looks like this:

Temperature is measured relative to the freezing point of water. Voltage is converted to temperature by consulting a table of temperature vs. voltage. In modern instruments the ice water reference is created electronically and the readout is digital in degrees. Some electronic multimeters have type K readout function. Harbor Freight offers one as cheap as $23 but it only reads out in degrees C. I fa- vor a dedicated instrument, the DM6802A. Your favorite search engine will turn up a number of

(Continued on page 11) P a g e 11 vendors with a price around $40. It will readout in either degrees C or F. It has two thermocouple inputs so different measurements can be made.

There is a special connector for type K thermocouples. It looks like this:

The metal parts are made of chromel and alumel. This is to avoid any possible error by introducing a junction with a different metal between the thermocouple and the readout which could cause an er- ror. The voltages produced by thermocouples are in the millivolt range. There is a narrow pin for the positive (yellow) wire and wide pin for the negative (red) wire. There is, of course, a matching sock- et on readout instruments. I got connectors from McMaster-Carr for about $4 each.

Given the way that the temperature of the bamboo lags that of the oven, what is a good time and temperature process to use? There is a fair consensus in the literature, online discussion, etc., that half an hour at 350° F is good. But it appears that all or most of it has been done without monitoring the actual temperature of the bamboo. With monitoring, I found that half an hour at 350° F actually results in badly overcooked bamboo. The edges of beveled strips turn friable, crumbly. My guess is that it has been assumed that when a PID controlled oven gets to 350° F from a cold start, or recov- ers to 350° F in a hot oven start, the timing period should begin. As can be seen in the plot above, the bamboo is nowhere near 350° F half an hour after the oven has stabilized at its set point. If the process is stopped then, it is certainly not overcooked, but may not be very effectively heat treated. My current process is to run until the bamboo temperature just reached 350° F and then terminate the process. I have the oven set at 365° F to keep the rate of increase of the bamboo temperature from tapering off too much as it approaches 350° F. The bamboo treated this way seems quite sound as I plane it. There is a noticeable color change — darkening.

It seems likely that there will be variation in process times with different oven designs. Mine is a static oven — a 2 inch diameter aluminum tube with a heating cord wrapped around it. The tube temperature is stabilized with a PID controller. It’s insulated with fiberglass wrapped around it. An earlier smaller version is described in Power Fibers 55. My bamboo has had its nodes flattened, been rough beveled and bound into hexes with several hexes bundled together. To avoid the effect of a possible hot spot on the wall the bundle is wrapped with some thick cotton cord to offset it from the wall. The thermocouple is inserted through a hole in the end cap and whipped to the middle of the bamboo with cotton thread. Other types of ovens such as heat gun convection oven may well have somewhat different time-temperature profiles if the heat transfer to the bamboo is faster. If the bamboo is held in aluminum fixtures such as those Harry Boyd offers, heat transfer may also be im-

(Continued on page 12) P a g e 12 proved. However, working against improved heat transfer is the need to vaporize the water entrained in the bamboo. I hope someone with a different oven will take up challenge and publish some meas- urements of bamboo temperature in their process. P a g e 13

MD Heat Treating Fixtures Heat Treating Ovens

Straighter strips from oven Heat strips more evenly Treat one to six strips Boyd Rod Company Boyd Rod Company One on One Classes Scheduled Classes

Professional Instruction 20 years experience Complete rod in 5 1/2 Days Four classes each year

Boyd Rod Company 1211 Newman Street Winnsboro LA 71295 (318) 282-1825 P a g e 14 Rodmaker Profile: Steve Taylor Text, figures and photos by Steve Taylor and Power Fibers

PF: What are your personal favorite streams to fish? PF: Who had the greatest impact on you as an rodmaker? In any order, the Au Sable system, the Manis- tee, and several secret Brook Trout creeks. Dave Hellman. He helped get me connected to a bunch of fine people who happened to be PF: Do you have a memorable story of fish- cane rod makers. ing bamboo or memories of anyone in par- ticular people you've fished with? PF: What are some life lessons you've learned from building? Fishing a Paul Young Bobby Doerr design that I made. Catching a big Pike with it in North- Stop, step back, take a short break and evaluate ern Ontario with our oldest son. things. Double check your work. Repeat, or start over if it’s indicated. Try not to work PF: How did you get into rod making? yourself into a corner where there’s only one way out. I wanted to fish some of the greatest rod de- signs. The great master’s designs that I had PF: Why did you choose to make bamboo lawn cast over the years, and I didn’t have all rods? of them handy. I wanted to fish some of the Great Master’s rod PF: How did you learn to make bamboo designs and didn’t have a fortune handy to buy rods? them.

Dave Hellman gave me “homework” every so often. (Continued on page 15) P a g e 15 PF: Do you also make fiberglass or graphite The North Branch of the Au Sable during the rods? Why? Sulphur hatch when I found a huge fish feeding and had to cast from a kneeling position around Yes, absolutely. I try to use the best rod mate- bushes. I had to build a rod for that fish. rial available for a given fishing situation. It’s great to have access to five different materials PF: Who would you like to see casting one of today: various wood species, E glass, S glass, your rods? Graphite, and Bamboo. Each has their realm where they can “shine.” Any competent caster that has a broad range of fly line experience. They can help me find the PF: What are your personal philosophies most suitable fly line for a bamboo rod de- about craftsmanship and the making of sign. After that, both of us have gained a bit of bamboo fly rods? knowledge that could help with the next “problem child” rod, no matter who made it. Make the best ferruled blank possible. After that, form follows function. I wrap rods like a PF: How do you go about designing a three year old. The look of a rod should flow rod? Do you use software? and fit together just right. I cast all the rod designs that I can get my PF: Who are you most proud to have made hands on. The designs I like that are available a rod for? to copy are graphed on 1/4” graph paper. After several designs are graphed, they are overlaid No one. I build rods for my personal use on- on my shop windows. The overall slopes and ly. No sales or gifts. I generally make a design wiggles are compared. Doing this helped me for a specific fishing situation or situations. So delve into Powell A and B designs some more. the question might read: Where are you the Subtle changes can be made to hopefully im- most proud to have made a rod for? Answer, (Continued on page 16) P a g e 16 prove a design’s performance a bit for a specif- makers that come to Bamboo Bend in Lovells, ic fishing situation. Michigan. Besides that, I make sure the block planes and Worksharp 3000 machines are fet- What’s Software? tled and tuned-up for the work week ahead. For five days the rod maker pair builds a bamboo PF: What do you like least in the rodmaking fly rod. An added bonus for me is that I get to process? Why? sneak away for two days and run my Au Sable River Longboat. I take a Veteran fishing on Feathering ferrule tabs. I haven’t been able to Friday and another on Saturday, the last day. make a pretty finished result yet. It doesn’t The other rod makers that stay behind spend help that I my finished rods look like they were hours on varnishing. They dip all eight two hastily wrapped by a small child. section, one tip rods. Two coats on each sec- tion minimum, and a rub-out. PF: What do you like most in the rodmaking process? Why? PF: Can you describe the steps in "fettling?" Also, what are the key points in Selecting rod designs for specific fishing situa- tuning a block plane to perform best while tions. The results force me to work harder on planing bamboo? future designs. I spend a lot of time dwelling on this part of rod making. I’ve only made • Disassemble, clean and inspect for cracks twenty-two or twenty-three rods and love both and deformities due to collisions. solid and hollow hex designs. • Inspect the adjustable mouth area for fit. Remove any burrs and snags with PF: If I'm not mistaken, you were a profes- small oil stones and diamond hones. sional firefighter. What skills from your firefighting career do you find helpful when making rods?

Proper preparation prevents poor performanc- es.

Keep an open mind, avoid being opinionated.

Accuracy counts.

The rod making process is very similar to Fire Service Engine Company Operations. Where folks (Engine Companies) deploy and attack using water supply hose lines from an engine, (the fire truck that carries the hose and such). The method of learning is concrete and sequential. You have to look, touch, hear and smell a bunch at each step before proceeding to the next step.

PF: Tell us about your involvement with Bamboo Bend. Maybe a little background and then how you help with this group.

I am one of the twelve to fifteen rod makers that pair-up with each of the eight Veteran rod (Continued on page 17) P a g e 17 • The adjustable foot should move smooth is untouched. Go through the grits, 220, throughout its range. Check its location in 320, 400, 600. relation to the surrounding sole with a back • Sharpen the iron using your preferred light and a straight edge. method and angle. I use the Scary Sharp • Hone the back of the plane iron on a flat system and 35 and 40 degree angles. surface from 220-2,000 grit. I use wet/dry • Hone the bearing surfaces of the lever cap sandpaper and 5W-20 automotive detergent and the plane iron to a perfect fit. oil. The flat surface is a vintage piece of • Hone the throat edge of the adjustable marble floor tile. mouth, clean-up any burrs and defects. • The honed iron back must bear against the • Assemble, test, and tune. bed side of the throat opening. This area of • Keep the screw adjustment on the lever cap contact must be as perfectly mated as pos- just right. Not too loose, not too tight. sible. Use a variety of Swiss Pattern files, • The forward-backward and left-right iron India wet stones and diamond hones to mechanisms should be smooth and posi- complete the fit process. Set up a back tive. light and use an Optivisor to inspect the contact area for light gaps. Progress until This is really just a version of many of the the surface is mated, polished, and the fit is great published pieces on Fettling your block perfect. plane. • Assemble the plane with the iron retracted back into the plane bed a bit, 1/16” or And I’m sure I’ve missed a few important so. Hone the sole or bottom of the plane points. with 220 wet/dry and the 5W-20 oil until the sole is flat everywhere except for a The key points for planing bamboo. small marble-sized oval in the middle that • The bottom or sole must be flat and pol- ished. • The iron back must be flat the polished to 2,000 grit. • The iron must rest perfectly in the plane bed. • The iron must be sharpened square, steep and fine, usually to 1,000 grit or finer. • The lever cap to iron fit must be perfect. • The adjusting mechanisms must be smooth and positive, never too tight or too loose. • Adjust the mouth opening REAL close to your shaving thickness.

PF: How many planes do you have ready to go when you're planing rods? What are your thoughts on when to change planes or sharpen irons?

I usually have 14 planes ready to go. Both low angle and standard angle planes get used. The overall plane designs vary widely. The only common feature is that they are all adjustable- mouth block planes. Some seem to cut well (Continued on page 18) P a g e 18 through a wide range of thicknesses and others PF: Tell me about the process of building not so much. your Au Sable River Longboat. How long did it take? Was this something you had Planes get changed-out when I feel more re- wanted to build for a long time? sistance during cutting than when fresh- sharpened. Sometimes only 20 or so passes The boat project took 3 years and 4 steps to and rarely over 40 passes get completed before complete. First, build a 30X40 pole barn. Sec- change-out. This seems to make sharpening ond, build 8 saw horses, all the same exact less time consuming and you get real good at height and length. Third, build a plywood and iron removal and installation. It seems I am 2X4 deck that measured 16 feet by 2 feet that constantly adjusting the mouth to suit. After would set on 4 saw horses. And be PERFECT- completing the Scary Sharp process on an iron, LY FLAT AND LEVEL. Fourth, start the boat I plane until resistance is felt. Then it goes to building. the Power Leather Strop with a bit of diamond paste for a few seconds of touch-up. After 3-4 The bottom is scarf-jointed Okuma ply- touch-ups it goes back to the Scary Sharp Sys- wood. The stem, chines, gunnels, transom, tem. So I guess this means I sharpen frequent- cleats and bracing are clear Ash. The sides, ly. decks and doors are from a stack of 1”X12”X20 foot Western Red Cedar PF: I haven't done a much with Powell ta- boards. The finished deck is 3/8” marine ply- pers, but I've looked at some of the pub- wood. West Systems fiberglass and epoxy co- lished tapers. What about them draws you vers the bilge and bottom with one layer of to study them and use them to apply to spe- cloth. The bottom has 3 total layers of cloth cific situations? with extra on the chines. The plank sides, chines and gunnels were all steam bent. There I’ve lawn cast several Powell designs and they are a few wood screws in it and a bit of were all generally fantastic performers. I credit TiteBond III holding it together as well. The Mike McGuire for steering me in a good direc- boat is stabilized with a gallon of Nelsonite tion concerning Powell designs. The 2 designs Wood Stabilizer. Followed by a gallon of var- I have built to date are “front of the Drift nish sealer. Finally, a gallon of Marine Formu- Boat,” big water, big Brown Trout rods. A 9 la rod varnish covers everything above the wa- foot 2/2 B taper for “normal” conditions and ter line, about 14 coats so far. another 9 foot 2/2 A taper “wind” rod. Powell A and B tapers seem to be well suited for my I’ve wanted to build one since 2004. present Brown Trout dry fly fishing situa- tions. For me, the Powell designs are easily PF: You mentioned hollow designs. What transferred to a sheet of 1/4” graph paper. The type of hollowing do you use and what con- slopes can then be compared to rod designs siderations do you make when you hollow- that I know pretty well. The Powell system of build a rod? A, B, and C tapers are easily derived using an on-line calculator, (Thank You Chris Car- “Shark Tooth” hollowing with chain saw lin). The tip diameter determined the line sharpening files. Also, scallop and dam meth- weight. The A, B, and C taper then determines od, using a chisel to remove some of the the amount of progressive action, or lack there- “Shark Tooth” dams. When I use the “Shark of. From here, it’s easy to identify and make Tooth” method I don’t change any dimensions subtle changes from a design, based of perfor- and the results yield a rod with a half a line mance. So it’s not a pure hunch, or a shot in weight less than the solid design. Hollowing is the dark, as long as you can hit your numbers done from the middle of the grip to the tip top, on the button. staying away from the ferrule locations by an (Continued on page 19) P a g e 19 inch or two. The scallop and dam method re- PF: Is there something you'd like to share quire me to find some help doing the math for which I haven't asked? each station dimension. Again, hollowing from the middle of the grip to the tip top. Check your carbon monoxide and smoke de- tectors twice a year. Use brand new batteries

every 6 months. Replace ionization type smoke The Powell method has always interested me detectors every 10 years. Inspect your families with the Port Orford Cedar core/dams, bonded homes to ensure fire safe conditions once a to the bamboo power fiber outer layer. I have year. investigated it to the point of sourcing the Port

Orford Cedar and Douglas Fir for a cedar sub- Check your knots. stitute. But, that rod has yet to be built.

Safe travels to everyone and their families, use PF: Would you be willing to share a favorite taper? your seatbelts.

Dickerson 8014G from Jack Howell “The Take care of yourself, if any of us knew we Lovely Reed.” I use a 15 ferrule and ramp-up were gonna live this long, we woulda taken the tips from station 45” to 48” to fit. better care of ourselves.

Landmark Components www.landmarkflyrodtubes.com Email: [email protected]

Screen Printing Rod Bags Components Rod Tubes Phone: 970.278.1311/888.779.4855 Fax: 970.278.1312/888.557.6561 P a g e 20

THE PLANING FORM NEWSLETTER….THE FIRST 25 YEARS!

Now available: a DVD with all 150 back issues; years 1990 to 2014 and a 174 page, hard copy index, organized in a 6 category table of contents. Search more than 1500 pages of rod making history by dates, titles, authors, tapers, ads and places/events! All this for $75.00 which includes shipping. Add $15.00 shipping and handling for orders outside the USA. For more information or to order contact: Ron Barch at alder- [email protected] or aldercreekpublishing.com

P a g e 21 Enamel Scraping and Sanding Forms Text and photos from Daniel Gowe of Zia Rods The supplies for these Maple forms are readily available from most big brand hardware stores. The Maple forms are cut for 60 degree Hex and 90 degree quad. I use these for scraping and sanding the enamel side of the strips after they have been rough beveled and nodes treated. There are two types of forms here, one is adjustable using the through screws and fasteners to open or close the gap for different width of strips. The other forms are full length and not adjustable. The adjustable forms can be made with or without springs to help separate the two halves. The adjustable forms can be adjust- ed to accommodate a tapered strip if desired. The adjustable forms are three feet, but can be made any length, as the wood is available in many lengths. The non-adjustable forms are six feet. The ad- justable forms are first cut in half lengthwise, then using the router, they are beveled at 30 or 45 de- grees each side to make for a 60 or 90 degree groove. The non-adjustable forms are cut using a 60 or 90 degree double ended milling cutter. I use a cabinet scraper to scrape the enamel, and fine grade drywall sanding mesh to rough sand, then a fine sanding mesh to finish sanding.

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P a g e 26 P a g e 27 Rodmaker Profile: Harry Boyd Text and Photos by Harry Boyd and Power Fibers

PF: What are your personal favorite streams pers I make evolved on those Ozark waters. I to fish? love the variety of types of water and necessary techniques one needs to catch fish there con- I learned to fly fish on the ponds and lakes of sistently. For example, because it is so neces- my native northeast Louisiana for panfish and sary to catching fish there, I learned to dead also the trout streams of Missouri and Arkan- drift small nymphs. But I enjoy all the kinds of sas. Roaring River in southwest Missouri holds fishing one encounters there, from caddis dries a special place in my heart because it is associ- in spring to streamers in winter. ated with family. My youngest brother and his family live in Kansas City and for several years Over the last 15 years or so dry fly fishing in our families met at Roaring River each Labor Michigan waters and the Rocky Mountain Day weekend. If for no other reason Roaring states has occupied much of my stream time. River will always be a special place to me. Hexagenia dries on the AuSable in Michigan, and Brown Drakes on the Frying Pan in Colo- For years I have considered the White River rado, and Green Drakes on the Henry’s Fork system in Arkansas (and Missouri) to be my have become a real passion for me. For the last home waters. It’s an amazing world class trout five or six years I’ve spent a few weeks each fishery where one never knows when the next year in the Rockies and confess I am still in drift will produce the trout of a lifetime. For awe. over twenty years I tried to make ten trips there each year. Several of the most popular rod ta- (Continued on page 28) P a g e 28

make rods for themselves from Leonard compo- nents without the stampings or signatures and create themselves a nice rod at a substantial dis- count. That was a nice benefit offered to em- ployees.

I fell in love with that rod. It was one of the heavier 50DF tapers and seemed to like a six weight line best. I fished it constantly for about a year. One day I was fishing with my friend Billy Combs at Cow Shoals on the Little Red River in Arkansas. Billy was a fantastic fisher- man and wanted to try my “new” bamboo rod PF: Do you have a memorable story of fish- so we swapped rods. Billy fished with my ing bamboo or memories of anyone in partic- “Leonard” and I fished with his Sage. I thought ular people you've fished with? it was going to be for a few minutes, but those few minutes turned into a few hours, then all Many of my favorite fishing trips over the last afternoon. Billy probably caught 30 fish on that three decades have involved fishing with fellow rod. At the end of the day as we were wading rod makers. Wayne Cattanach and I spent a out Billy said something like, “Hey Harry, I like few very special hours on a rock in the middle this rod a lot. I’m keeping it. What do I owe of Arkansas’ White River at Wildcat Shoals one you?” Well I could see dollar signs, I knew day. Twice in one day Davy Wotton rescued what Tami had paid and I thought I would make me from rapidly rising waters on the White Riv- a profit and sink it back into another nice bam- er. Rick Crenshaw and Mike Canazon showed boo rod. So I sold that unmarked “Leonard” me a great time on the Frying Pan. John Long rod to Billy for $300. Little did I know that I and I spent some great times in an AuSable riv- had sold him a much nicer rod than I could ever er boat. Gene Gwaltney and the guys from get for that price again. Three Rivers Ranch have helped me learn a lit- tle about fishing the Idaho rivers. Those rela- Well a few years before I had learned to put to- tionships are as important to me as the fishing gether graphite rods from blanks and other com- itself. ponents. I had read about making bamboo rods in Kreider’s book and Wayne’s book, but had I really enjoy casting too, and have enjoyed never attempted it. At our local FFF club meet- watching some of the big names in casting put ing in West Monroe, Louisiana a young state my rods through a workout. I have a picture of trooper named Doug Pierrelee gave a presenta- Joan Wulff casting one of my rods. In the past tion on making bamboo rods. I figured if Doug I’ve also managed to talk Lefty Kreh, Dave could do it, so could I. So with my $300 from Whitlock, and Bruce Richards into casting my selling the “Leonard,” plus a little more, I rods. I was one of the first few folks to earn tooled up and began making rods. I read Certification as a Casting Instructor from the Kreider’s book and Wayne’s book till I had FFF (now FFI) using a bamboo rod. worn the pages out. I found the brand new in- ternet and learned from Bruce Connor’s brief PF: How did you get into rod making? guide. The Rodmakers Email List was a mentor and a huge help. I made wooden final and This is one of my favorite stories. In the early rough planing forms on a borrowed drill press. 1990s I really wanted a bamboo rod. For my I built a binder from wood and clothesline parts. birthday I picked out a rod from Carmine I borrowed a small lathe from my secretary’s Lisella’s catalog and my wife ordered it for me. husband. When the church ladies weren’t look- She paid $150 for a “Lunchbox Leonard,” ing I used the big convection oven at the church 50DF. Sometimes Leonard employees would (Continued on page 29) P a g e 29 for heat treating. By the time I had organized to fly fishing groups and rod makers gatherings the first Southern Rodmakers Gathering in in Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Mich- 1998, I had made four bamboo rods on a grand igan, Colorado, Alabama, Mississippi, Mis- total investment of about $400. Several hun- souri, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, dred rods later I’m still at it, though my invest- New York, British Columbia, and even San ment has gone up substantially. Sepolcro, Italy. Over the years hundreds of people have either been in a class I led or heard PF: Who had the greatest impact on you as me speak. an rod maker? Having the opportunity to share my thoughts Because I have become dear friends with so with so many fellow rodmakers has influenced many other rod makers I hesitate to mention me greatly. Trying to help someone else solve any single individual as having had the greatest their rod making issue sharpens my focus. My impact on me though I could easily name half a rodmaking has improved vastly through help- dozen. About twenty years ago I wrote a series ing others learn to make rods themselves. Sev- of seven web published articles on how to eral of my former rodmaking students are now make a ferruled bamboo rod blank. Those arti- leading classes of their own. Some of my class cles (https://globalflyfisher.com/rod-building/ participants have become dear friends and fish- bamboo-part-1) have been widely read and ap- ing partners. Each time I have an opportunity preciated. to speak or teach I find I learn something new make new friends. Several of my students The response to those articles led me to begin have come to me after taking other classes. offering instructional rod making classes. To- With me they have not only successfully com- day I make rods very differently than described pleted a rodmaking class, they actually learn to in those articles but have taught dozens of rod make rods for themselves when they return to making classes with from one to six partici- their own shops. That is quite satisfying to me. pants per class. Bob Nunley worked with me for a few years and we taught classes at his shop and also in Chattanooga. I have spoken

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PF: What are some life lessons you've PF: Do you also make fiberglass or graphite learned from building? rods? Why?

I’m fond of telling those who are new to rod Though I have never made a fiberglass rod I making “the hardest part of painting your house have made quite a few graphite rods. I still is opening the paint can.” In other words, get- make a few for friends who ask, but do not offer ting started is the hardest part of making a rod graphite rods for sale. The process of actually and lots of other things too. assembling a graphite rod is amazingly simple after one has a little practice. Only a handful of Making rods goes better when one knows what graphite rod makers actually create their own he wants to accomplish and has a plan for get- rod blanks. That’s where the real creativity ting it done. So it is with real life, too. comes in making rods. Being able to change the way a rod casts by designing the taper is We must work with bamboo rather than try to something very few graphite rod makers have force it to do what we want. Isn’t it the same the opportunity to do. with people? But please do not label me a bamboo snob. You can’t rush quality. There are some amazingly good rods being made from graphite. As a casting instructor, I PF: Why did you choose to make bamboo see and handle lots of graphite rods and nearly rods? all of them are very good. Today it is hard to buy a really bad graphite rod from one of the From that first “Lunchbox Leonard” I fell in major manufacturers. I even fished a graphite love with the things that make bamboo rods so rod one day last year on the box canyon section special: their beauty, their harmony with nature, of the Henry’s Fork. Thankfully I don’t think their gentle rhythms and delicate power. I knew anyone recognized me! that with my career path I would probably not be able to afford more than a rod or two so I PF: What are your personal philosophies learned to make them for myself. about craftsmanship and the making of bam- boo fly rods? Working with bamboo gives me the opportunity to influence every aspect of the rod, from how it Every rod I make should be structurally and performs to how it looks. These days almost all aesthetically better than the last one I made. I the rods I make are on tapers that I have devel- started making bamboo rods in 1994, and elev- oped myself or derived from significant varia- en years ago in 2008 began working at rod mak- ing professionally, full-time. At rod makers tions of other tapers. That allows me to change how the rod performs. If a rod doesn’t cast well gatherings I give an entire presentation on I consider it a failure. quality in rod making. In that presentation I have with me two rods: First is the first rod I Even if I did not sell rods I think I would con- ever made. I muster up my courage and my tinue to make them because I enjoy the oppor- faith in the kindness of rod makers and pass tunity to make things with my own hands. around that first rod I ever made. My listeners There is something in me which needs to create have so far been very kind. That rod was made and I have always enjoyed being creative. For 25 years and hundreds of rods ago. There are example, as a college student I made and sold some major problems with that rod, #1 being and hunted with blackpowder rifles. Bamboo that it doesn’t cast worth a flip. I probably rods give me an even greater sense of creating a spent hundreds of hours making that rod and no thing of worth and beauty. In that way I think matter what line I use it just doesn’t cast well. I we fulfill a small part of the purpose for which think it’s the fault of the taper. It’s gotta be a God planted us here on Earth. bad taper, right? (Continued on page 31) P a g e 31

The second rod I show is one I made to bring PF: Who are you most proud to have made a with me to rod makers gatherings. It’s a little rod for? nicer looking, as nice as I can make it. I also pass it around after a few minutes. In 2011, I What a hard question! I’ve made a few rods for shared this talk at four different gatherings: in politicians and celebrities, fly shop owners, Italy, Michigan, Colorado, and Arkansas. Each guides, and big name fly fishermen but there’s talk focused on the difference between an $800 no great pride in that. I even made one for the rod and an $1800 rod. It seemed to be well- owner of a major graphite rod company and an- received but did stir up some strong feelings. other for a fly fishing contest winner. But I am Some of your readers have heard that talk and most proud of those I give away each year. I might even remember a few things I said, so I have given rods to several charities including will not repeat it. But after that talk one of my Project Healing Waters and other conservation Colorado friends said to me, “Let’s do a little causes. I have built rods for several family math. Suppose it takes “X” number of hours to members. I love to see them enjoying some- make a good rod. Well, it probably only takes thing that is such a big part of my life. “X” + 20% hours to make a great rod. If you’re working for $15/hour for the first “X” hours, PF: Who would you like to see casting one of you’re working for $100/hour for the extra 20% your rods? of the time.” One day I would love to see future grandchil- Here’s the point... You can spend a little extra dren casting my rods, but I don’t think that will time at strategic points along the path from happen. So perhaps Pat, or Wiley, or Ken, or choosing a culm, to polishing out the varnish another minister friend for whom I have made a that make a big difference – in how the rod rod. Seeing them casting a Harry Boyd rod looks, Yes – But also how you feel about the might mean that we had a chance to fish togeth- rod. Whether you have made 5 rods or 500 rods er. I would enjoy that immensely. has little to do with it. It’s a matter of being intentional, seeking a certain balance and depth PF: You mentioned your article series found to the finished product. Quality is a matter of on the Global Fly Fisher site. In that re- spending a few minutes here and a few minutes sponse, you also mentioned your rodmaking there. It’s a matter of making a few conscious process is different than it is presented in the choices, using good judgement at key points in articles. After as many rods as you've made, the process. do you still find yourself tweaking your pro- cess? (Continued on page 32) P a g e 32 As I said earlier, every rod I make should be I think the future of rod making will be interest- structurally and aesthetically better than the last ing. A few high end rod makers will probably one I made. At the same time, every operation hang around and almost make a living based on in the shop is open to new ways of doing things their reputation or pedigree. But I also think we if it helps me achieve the goal of making better will see increasing production through low end rods. I constantly try to improve the processes makers overseas. I think higher quality rods and methods used in my shop. Sometimes that and components are being made across the means making things simpler, easier, or quicker spectrum from low end imports to upper end while still striving towards ever increasing qual- works of rod making art. ity. After decades of steady growth interest in mak- The sharpening system I use is a good example. ing one’s own bamboo rod seems to me to be For several years I sharpened all my blades on a slowing. I offer some products for sale to rod powered leather wheel with diamond paste. makers. Those sales have significantly slowed After a few years I invested in a series of dia- in the last two years. That is either because mond impregnated steel plates by DMT. A few metal prices have risen drastically due to tariffs, years ago I switched to a powered Worksharp or interest in making rods is declining. system which uses adhesive backed sanding discs and flat plates of glass. It does a beautiful PF: If you could start this whole journey job faster and easier than I ever dreamed when over again, what would you do differently? sharpening by hand. Lee Valley block planes are another good example. As much as I love That is not really easy to say. Today I look at my old Stanley 9 ½ planes, the Lee Valley life through the eyes of a 60 year old man. standard angle block plane with a PMV11 blade When I started I was in my early 30s. At that is simply a much improved tool. One of my age I was as excited as could be about every rod former students gave me one as a thank you gift on the market, every new fly to tie, every fish to after our class and I bought several more for be caught. Today I hope I am a little more pa- myself and my students to use. tient. A lot of water has flowed down stream in that time. Lots of fish have been caught. A PF: Where do you think the future of bam- few hundred rods have been made. Life has boo rodmaking is headed? Do you see any taken some beautiful turns, and some dark turns trends in the craft? too. (Continued on page 33) P a g e 33 I probably would not do all that much different- trying do. He committed himself to drive down ly if I were starting today. Perhaps I would be from Michigan and lead a two half-day begin- more patient. Rather than rushing in and mak- ners workshop. Well, we jumped from 25 com- ing most of my own tools perhaps I would save mitments to 43. Angel Royer, Andy’s first my nickels and dimes till I could afford to buy wife, drove down from Washington State to quality tools and equipment. When I started show off their very first shipment of bamboo. making rods it was largely an effort to more There she met Harold and Eileen Demarest who deeply immerse myself in fly fishing during the flew down from New York and treated every- days and weeks when I could not be on the one with the grace and kindness you would ex- stream. I had no idea that fifteen years after pect from such delightful folks. having begun making rods I would be doing it professionally. Twenty one years later the group still meets near Mountain Home Arkansas the third week- PF: You mention organizing the first South- end in October each year. Lifelong friendships ern Rodmakers Gathering. How did that have been formed, worthy causes are supported come about? through the fundraising efforts, and plenty of good information is shared. There are dozens This is another of my favorite stories. In 1996 of good stories from SRG and other rod makers there was quite a lot of discussion on the Rod- gatherings. If you want to hear a few, pour me makers Email List about the the very earliest a cup of coffee and we will talk as long as you rod makers gatherings at Grayling, Michigan want. and Merritt, British Columbia and perhaps one or two more. In their infancy the rod makers PF: How do you go about developing a new gatherings were significant sources of good in- taper? formation. They helped set in place the spirit of openness and sharing that dominate the rod I use the web based version of Hexrod, the making world today. At those early gatherings monumental effort of Frank Stetzer to make plenty of tapers were shared, techniques were Wayne Cattanach’s original BASIC program- taught, and tips were offered from some early ming of Garrison’s math available to anyone pioneers of one man rod making shops. By vir- with an internet connection. Big kudos to Frank tue of the fledgling internet, The Planing Form and to Wayne! There are two ways I go about newsletter and even the earliest days of Power creating a new rod. Most commonly I find my- Fibers emagazine plenty of good information self modifying a taper I already know well and filtered its way down to those trying to learn to like to cast and fish. Hexrod makes it easy to make bamboo rods. “Modify Rod Fundamentals” like length, line weight, number of pieces, and length of line I knew there were gatherings in British Colum- cast while holding fast stress curves or dimen- bia, and in Michigan, and perhaps one in Penn- sions. A good example is my 7' 6" five weight. sylvania and asked the Rodmakers Email List I modified a Payne taper by adding a little here something like, “Are there any gatherings in the and taking a little away over here, lightening the southern United States? If not, why?” tips, adding a little more drop over the ferrule, and slightly beefing up the swelled butt. I have Chris Bogart piped up and said “No, there made that five weight taper over 100 times and aren’t. Why don’t you start one?” it seems popular. It’s no longer a Payne taper though it still behaves similarly. So I did. I set a date and revised it two or three times. We finally met outside Mountain Home, Tapers are also sometimes developed from Arkansas the first weekend in October 1998 in scratch. I’m working on one now. I want a six conjunction with the old FFF Conclave. Twen- weight four piece rod of about eight feet which ty five folks had committed to attend when will fit in the overhead bin of a commercial air- Wayne Cattanach became aware of what I was (Continued on page 34) P a g e 34 plane. I began with a particular shape of stress ty years ago rod making was a mysterious and curve I know I like. I knew I wanted a size 14 secretive craft. Thanks to those who started the ferrule in the center, a tiptop dimension first gatherings of the modern era, Don Ander- around .075", and a slow swell above the grip son and John Bokstrom, Wayne Cattanach and over 2.5 inches. I planned in a drop over the Ron Barch and others, today there is a genuine center ferrule. I put a change in the slope of the openness about making bamboo rods. Those taper about 15" from the tip top and started who love making rods delight in sharing that plugging in numbers. When I managed to get a passion with like-minded folks. But the gather- taper whose stress curve resembled what I ings are about something bigger than the infor- wanted I started adding other variables. I mation we share with each other. More than changed to self-made micro size ferrules. I re- once I have attended a gathering and only par- duced the weight by hollowing radically. ticipated in a few of the demonstrations and seminars other than those I have led. Then Finally I made the rod. It is still on the bench again, last spring I attended the British Colum- awaiting guides but I really look forward to see- bia gathering and I think I attended every ses- ing how it casts. Chances are good I will need sion. As great as the information is, the encour- to change some things and try again. But I do agement, comradery, laughter and friendship is enjoy tinkering with new tapers. just as important. At the twentieth SRG in 2018 I shared some very personal and deeply felt be- Every year I notice that the guys at various rod liefs about what makes the gatherings enjoyable makers gatherings are improving their fly cast- to me. Having the chance to spend time with ing skills. Evaluating a rod taper requires that others who share one’s passion is a rare privi- one be proficient at casting a fly rod. It is im- lege. There is common joy in the process of possible, for example, to assess a rod’s distance creating something that all dedicated rod mak- casting qualities if you cannot cast more than 40 ers know. That kindred spirit, that joy builds a feet. I know I am successful designing a new foundation on which deep relationships are taper only when it casts exactly the way I in- rooted. Those relationships grow and deepen tend. because the gatherings exist, and make all our lives better. PF: Probably my least favorite part of rod- making is finishing wraps. What part of the PF: Can you give a list of items which make rodmaking process is your least favorite the rodmaking process easier or more accu- part? rate?

I am not sure there is a part of making rods I do What if I kind of work my way through my pro- not enjoy. At one time I might have said one cess and share some things I feel like help me task or another was not as enjoyable as other make better rods, a few things I’m not sure too aspects of making rods because I did not feel many others use. good about my abilities in those areas. Over the years I have focused my efforts on improving First, I sand away most of the nodal ridges on my skills or changing my methodologies. an automotive expandable drum sander. It’s These days I think of rod making not so much soft and does not dig in above or below the nod- as dozens of different steps but multiple parts of al ridge. a whole. Enjoying the whole seems to mean enjoying all the parts. Second, all my splitting (other than the check split) is done with a pair of anvil pruners from PF: Knowing you've gone to many gather- the garden shed. Using the pruners really ings, what keeps you going to them after at- makes it easy to start the split exactly where I tending so many? want. Common carpenters dividers mark out the first 5, 6, or 7 splits. I use a paper centering This is an easy one. It’s about the people. Fif- (Continued on page 35) P a g e 35 ruler to help me find the center of each piece stronger. And it is much easier to use. before starting to split. I give them to my rod- making students at “graduation.” PF: Do you make one rod at a time or do you make several? I use an older model Bellinger roughing and tapering beveller. I bought it second-hand with Several rods in different stages of production a set of carbide toothed 60 degree milling cut- are usually floating round the shop. Right now ters already in place. Not only does it save I have an experimental four piece rod I dip var- time, it saves wear and tear on the joints. I have nished last night, a 7 ½’ two piece rod to be owned several different bevellers and one thing built hollow, an 8’ three piece rod, a Heddon they all have in common is that there is a learn- #14 restoration, and the first six piece fiberglass ing curve to figuring out how they can help you blank I have ever built a rod on all in process. I make better rods with less effort. None of them also just took in a dozen Granger and other rods are “plug and play” solutions. to be evaluated and possibly restored.

A good heat treating regimen is absolutely es- Most of my rods are made from two culms of sential. Flaming does very little actual heat bamboo. I use a 3x3 node spacing and three treating. strips per section come from each culm. From those two culms I can usually get enough strips 3M Stik-it gold sandpaper and sanding blocks for at least four rods. The extra strips will all be are among the most used tools in my shop. I worked through the heat treating stage, then left use the 5”x2 ¾” sanding blocks and the gold in the string until needed. paper in 180g, 400g, and 800g all the time. That’s the best sanding system I have found. 22) What do you desire to be known for in By far. the bamboo rodmaking community once your time making rods is over? I can’t imagine anyone making a rod without a Waara node press made popular by John Long. This is a tough question, and not something I They are not difficult to make. have ever spent any time thinking about. My rod making legacy will probably shape itself I use a Speedy Air vise at an air pressure of based on my body of work. I hope history will 100psi for pressing nodes. It’s more consistent be kind when folks look at the rods I have than a manual vise. Thanks to a friend for sug- made. Earl Nightingale used to say that success gesting this setup several years ago. is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal. My rod making ideal has been ever increasing While I am nostalgic for older model Stanley 9 quality both structurally and aesthetically. I ½ and knuckle joint block planes, the Lee Val- hope I will be considered a success in that way. ley standard angle adjustable block planes and PM V11 blades are by far my favorites to use. A health scare two summers ago showed me Yes, they are expensive. But they are worth that as much as I enjoy all that goes with mak- what they cost. ing rods, in the grand scheme of life bamboo fly rods are a minor footnote at best. Faith, family, Nylon string works well for binding strips, both friends – those are what really matter. As I was for heat treating and glue. The stretch built into trying to answer this question a close cousin nylon helps keep everything snug. It won’t gave me a call. We talked for an hour and burn at normal rod making temperatures. shared some real moments that will make my life better, and his. Those moments are what Other than a rod maker, no one will ever notice this life is really about. whether you wrapped guides with Size A thread or Gossamer. The larger thread is certainly (Continued on page 36) P a g e 36 PF: Would you be willing to share a favorite 0 .051 taper? 5 .073 10 .098 Sure, Boyd Otter Creek Special -- it’s a fast 15 .110 and powerful 8’ five weight, three piece, with 20 .125 very light tips to protect fine tippets. I have a 25 .140 very strong butt. I developed it for making 45- 30 .154 55 foot casts, mending those long lines, and 35 .172 picking up that long line and doing it again. 40 .193 45 .202 50 .209 55 .222 60 .238 65 .257 70 .281 75 .292 80 .313 85 .348 90 .349 95 .352 96 .353

Click Here P a g e 37 Twisting Rods Text and Photos by Lars-Göran Dahlin

I started to make bamboo fly rods about 30 “Porsche twist” worked for my quad rods also. year ago. Very, very interesting!

For a long period, I’ve used the Tom Morgan Encouraged by my findings, I went back to my style Hand Mill. I have made this mill myself workshop. With the same method, I twisted a and modified it somewhat. I can make hex, rod for a 4 weight line. When I tested this 4 penta and quad (square) constructions. I prefer weight rod on the lawn, I could easily cast a 6 the quad as it gives more power and stiffness weight line and also a 7 weight line. The con- vs rod weight. It has also given me the possi- clusion was obvious. By twisting the quad bility to make my specialty, the twisted quad construction, I could gain 2 to 3 line classes bamboo rod, This configuration then gives the and thereby modify the measurement at the rod even more power and stiffness vs rod rod taper to reduce bamboo weight. weight. All these new findings gave me an idea to de- During the years, many have asked me how I velop the taper for a twisted quad bamboo rod, developed the twisted rods. It all started about length 7 1/2 foot for a 5 weight line. The ques- 10 years ago when I read an article in my local tion was, how much should I decrease the newspaper. This article described how Ferdi- measurements on this new taper? I calculated a nand Porsche solved the problem they had new table for the taper and started to plane. with road holding of their Porsche cars. They After making a few trial rods, I found out the modified a beam in the rear axle, and the mod- correct formula to calculate the new taper. ification was to twist a cold drawn quad beam. That made it possible to reduce the weight of Now I was able to make a bamboo rod with the beam while maintaining stiffness. They less bamboo (less weight) but still keep the could even increase the stiffness! Wow, that stiffness for the 5 weighted line. A perfect article really gave me some interesting light trout rod for fishing small dry flies in thoughts! small streams. The perfect fly rod with the properties as I prefer, light in hand, fast and I couldn’t shake the twisted beam out of my powerful. mind. After a month I had a plan on how I should try this theory on my quad bamboo Nowadays I’ve refined my method, I twist the rods. I took my old hot air gun and started to rod section while gluing the strips together in heat up a section of a quad rod, very slowly room temp conditions. This makes it easier to and gently. When the bamboo was warm align the snakes as the twist will stay perma- enough it was possible to twist the construc- nent when the glue has cured. When using the tion a quarter of a revolution between each “hot air gun method” there was a tendency for snake guide. After twisting both the tip and the twist to revert somewhat. butt section of the rod, it finally ended up that I have totally turned the tip two revolutions During the years, I’ve made both trout and and the butt one revolution. salmon rods with this twisting technique. Solid and semi-hollowed rods, and always with The twisted rod was a really remarkable sight spliced joints as they maintain the smooth and very unusual for a rod maker and fly fish- bending curve through the joints. I’ve fished er. However, I assembled the rod, went out in with some of the twisted rods now for about the garden and started to lawn cast. Originally eight to nine years and none of them have lost the rod taper was for a 6 weight line. After a the twist. few casts, I realized that the 6 line was far too light for the twisted rod. Hmmmm, the (Continued on page 38) P a g e 38

I am very happy to have found this way of modification of an old rod construction to a twisted quad bamboo rod. It has given me the most powerful bamboo rod you can build within a reasonable light weight. My twisting jig is shown below. P a g e 39 Rodmaker Profile: Gordon Koppin Text and Photos by Gordon Koppin and Power Fibers

PF: Do you have a memorable story of fish- ing bamboo or memories of anyone in par- ticular you’ve fished with?

I was working in Korea for several years and I found an expatriate from Wisconsin who lived in a city south of Seoul. He was doing guiding and photography in addition to teaching Eng- lish. We made arrangements over the internet to fish, and one weekend I took a bus (5 hours) from Seoul to the eastern shore to meet him in a little village. For the next two days we fished canyon streams just below the DMZ for native cherry trout and transplanted rainbows. I made a 4 piece perfectionist especially for the trip (I could get it into my suitcase).

The two funny things about that were: one time the streams were so narrow I only fished with the top three sections of the rod (he did not think it could be done). The other was the golden orb spider webs across the streams. The web strands were so strong that the fly line would drape down the stream resting on PF: What are your favorite streams to fish? TOP of the webs. We had to rip it back and clean the line to fish. The guide wrote an arti- The Wisconsin Coulees are probably the fa- cle in Field and Stream available online as vorites because they are the closest, being only “Life as Koreas Only Fly fishing Guide” at about 5 hours away. This is in spite of the fact https://www.fieldandstream.com/photos/ that, as Scott Grady says, “There are no trout gallery/fishing/fly-fishing/where-fish/2008/12/ in WI only brown spotted creek chubs.” I also life-koreas-only-fly-fishing-guide. love the Adirondacks because we have a place up there, but the fishing is only sporadic, and PF: How did you get into rod making? access is limited. I was cheap. I started fly fishing in the early I used to fish the South Platte by Deckers a lot, 1980s and did not want to spend a large when I worked for Citicorp. I had to travel amount of money for a flyrod, reel, line, etc. A there for business at least monthly. Those shop owner near my office on Chicago’s meetings just all had to be Mondays or Fridays northwest side (we called him Crazy Carlos so I could go fishing for a couple of weekend because he spent a lot of his time abusing his days. customers) helped me find old bamboo rods and match lines to them. He also sold me My true favorite stream is the one nearest to me at the time. (Continued on page 40) P a g e 40 guides, thread and everything else I needed, in- Initially, it was two people. Ron Barch was my cluding the book by Stuart Kirkfield, The Fine teacher and mentor from the start. He also intro- Bamboo Fly Rod. duced me to a lot of great rodmakers and the rodmakers gatherings with the Catskills and Ca- I ended up refinishing several rods and had nadian Cane (at the time I started it was the great fun catching fish. I also outfitted my wife Grand River Gathering) gatherings. These be- and two kids with these as well, and even took came standards in my calendar since the late those rods to NZ for the first time in the 80s. 90’s, even though the Catskills gathering is my With them we landed more fish than my father- anniversary weekend every year (my wife has in-law, who was using the latest graphite rods. been very generous about this). He kept breaking fish off with them. The guide complemented the bamboo rods for landing fish John Zimny would be the second person to have because they made for better tips. It was only a a great impact on my rodmaking. Business took matter of time before I had to start making them me to Wilmington DE every Monday for meet- from scratch. ings, and I would end up at John and Betsy’s several nights a month for at least a year. Betsy, PF: How did you learn to make bamboo always gracious, would usually supply coffee rods? and desert, and John and I would retire to the basement for several hours. I learned more I found information about a new rod making about glues, tapers and quads than I ever newsletter called The Planing Form Ron had thought possible. just begun to publish, and I had to get copies. I called him and got the couple of back issues I Ted Knott and all the organizers in Canada had missed and have been a subscriber since. (James, Jorge, Carl to name a few there) were also a big influence, as well as Chris Bogart, Because of those, I arranged to take a rod build- Tom Smithwick, Bill Fink and Al Medved, to ing course from George Mauer at the Artisans name a few from the Catskills. So many people School in Cotter, AR. Earlier, I had taken a and so little space to name everyone. At my course there on building cedar strip canoes from first Catskill gathering, I came out of the Ros- Canadian builder Ted Moores and saw this coe Motel room one morning at 6am, George course in their listing. I signed up and paid for Barnes and Don Taylor were already on the the course to be given by George Mauer, but it porch drinking coffee. They invited me over, was canceled at the last minute. This happened but realized their coffee was gone, so they invit- for two years. ed me to breakfast. I got to know them, and they made me feel part of the group even At some point, I complained to Ron. He said though I had only made a couple of rods. that if I could organize a course and get enough people to take it to make it worthwhile for him, At all of the gatherings everyone has always he would drive to my house and teach us. I ar- been extremely welcoming and helpful. It is an ranged for seven guys and a course that worked amazing community to be part of. for one weekend with Ron, after which we planed our hearts out for the two weeks before PF: What are some of the life lessons you’ve his return. When he returned, we did the glue- learned from building? up and ferruling, and discussed finishing on the last weekend. People would come back to my It is a great way to meet interesting people and house to finish their rods at their pace. He did develop skills using tools that are largely unap- this twice, and I kept the course going at my preciated these days. This has positively affect- house once a year or as needed. I have been ed every area of my home repair and ability to building ever since. make or repair other things. If you can fix a mistake made building a bamboo rod, you can PF: Who had the greatest impact on you as a surely fix your microwave or washing machine, Rodmaker? (Continued on page 41) P a g e 41 much less wiring… Now, I cannot stand dull tools anymore either. My wife has ultra sharp Another is the two rules of 1) Don’t sweat the knives for the holidays and anytime she wants – small stuff and 2) It is all small stuff. After all, I also have bandaids for her when I sharpen they are just glorified fishing poles as my wife them. has said on occasion, in jest I am sure.

Doing new things is so much more rewarding if Stop and enjoy what you were able to create. I you can share experiences with friends who really appreciate the amazing beauty of the nat- have similar interests. Whether it is fly fishing, ural materials that I believe God created. There rod making, or whatever, it is better with is nothing you can build in graphite that com- friends sharing the experience. It is also a great pares with the rich brown tones of a flamed rod way to meet new people who are just curious shaft with a couple of coats of spar varnish about the odd guy who spends way too much bringing out the depth of color. It is like the time in the basement. beautiful feathers with very precise markings that we use for fly tying or just admiring in Sharing your love for this craft is important. I birds in general. have given away about a dozen rods to various people and have donated 24 to our fly fishing Rodmaking makes me enjoy the wonder of the club for them to auction off using a raffle pro- natural materials and their unique properties cess. It helps their fundraising a lot each year which we are privileged to work with. and lets more people enjoy these beautiful crea- tions.

PF: Why do you choose to make bamboo rods?

I tried graphite for a while, and I found that fly fishing with these rods was too fast and tiring. It was supposed to be relaxing but became stress- ful with the fast plastic rods. I wanted to get back to just enjoying casting and fishing. I also have a need to build stuff. It is always a fabu- lous experience making things that are so beau- tiful and precise. I am also part Scottish so building the rods was going to save me mon- ey…right?

PF: Do you also make fiberglass rods? Why?

I don’t assemble fiberglass or graphite rods be- cause I don’t have time. I have given away al- most all of my graphite and fiberglass rods since I don’t even have enough time to fish all the bamboo rods I have.

PF: What are your personal philosophies about craftsmanship and the making of bam- boo fly rods?

Keep your tools sharp and in good working or- der. (Continued on page 42) P a g e 42 PF: Who are you most proud to have made a kills twice for some big anniversaries (30th and rod for? 40th) and have already been told that I should not even think about being gone on our 50th! Two people come to mind right off the bat. One You might recall that the Catskills is on my an- is a man I worked with in Japan who was a fly niversary weekend EVERY year. The Canadian fisher named Kazuara Udagawa. He said he is every other year so I go to Grayrock on the could never afford a bamboo rod because they off years. Now there is a Northern Gathering in are extremely expensive in Japan. He always late September in Wisconsin which I am enjoy- wanted a Garrison 204E. I built one for him ing because it is reasonably close (five hour during my time at home between trips and took drive). I have only made it to the Southern it back with me. He was beside himself excited. (SRG) once. I would love to go back but I have We made plans to fish together in Japan but it to limit my addiction to this in some minor way. never happened. Kaz would send me pictures of Until recently (I retired) I did not have the time fish he was catching. He made a couple of available. With the new Northern Gathering, I beautiful Japanese nets for me that I enjoy using think three is the limit I can go to in any one every time I go fishing. year.

Another was a friend who was a slow caster and For me the major draw is all the friends that I had trouble with graphite and two piece rods. I see only at these events. There are always made him a 4 piece perfectionist that he casts friends to catch up with as well as new ideas, like a pro and now uses it all of the time. gizmos and projects to see and discuss. Of course, there are too many rods to cast. I come There is also the couple, who each built a bam- away from these with enough “Need to build” boo rod at my house. They asked me to build a ideas for a couple of years. set of rods for their wedding gifts to each other. I made her a Payne 100 and he got a 101 both Basically, there is always a lot to learn but the with black wraps and ebony reel seats. She got friendships are special. It was very cool that the red tipping and agate stripper and his was several international builders (Non-North jade tipping and stripper. That was the most fun American) have come to the gathering with and rewarding set of rods I have made for peo- their new ideas. It was fantastic to finally meet ple. Tapani Salmi and hear first hand some of his revolutionary designs (Hollow Triangular rods), PF: Who would you like to see casting one of construction ideas and perspectives. The ideas your rods? from the Japanese builders are also fascinating and challenging as well. Where else could you My wife has a rod and would occasionally go get this information first hand. I should also with me, but I would most like my grandkids mention the line making and reel making semi- casting bamboo and enjoying fishing with me in nars by Michael Hackney also expand my ad- the near future. diction.

PF: Talk a little about the gatherings you’ve PF: What rod action are you drawn to and attended. What do you think is integral for why? these gatherings? What makes them some- thing which continues to draw rodmakers I started out using the large old slow rods that I year after year? refinished, so I gravitated toward the Orvis su- perfine slower action. I originally did not like I have attended gatherings for over 20 years and many of the Dickerson 2 piece tapers but loved enjoy the time spent with friends and new ac- them when I slowed them down by making quaintances every time I go. I have been going them 3 piece or 4 piece. I could better feel the to the Catskills and Canadian since the late 90s flex. and go to these every year. I missed the Cats- (Continued on page 43) P a g e 43 One reason I like the three and four piece rods so that friends could build their first rod for is because I live in the FLAT lands of the Mid- about $350, plus finishing hardware, from home west and I used to fly a lot. Two piece rods are at their own pace. Most finish in a couple of always at risk when flying to places to fish. weeks but one guy took five years to finish his blank. The very smooth action of the Garrisons and Paynes are also very appealing and I have built Since they do these at my house in the basement a number of them for friends and fund raisers. or garage there are no housing, travel or meal Lately, I have been using the slightly faster ta- costs. It is a low budget operation. I have taught pers of Dickerson and Young and I think I probably 60-70 people to make rods over the might like the Grangers and Phillipsons since years usually in groups of one to three More they seem to be a bit faster. I have not cast that than three get pretty hectic for a one man base- many of those to tell for sure. I think that just ment class. means I need to get to the Colorado Gathering sometime where I am sure those are in abun- I also have them each come over the weekend dance. before the class and make a maple set of plan- ing forms using my drill press and surface plan- PF: Do you make rods using classic rod ta- er. That adds about $50 to the cost plus they pers or do you make rods using your own have to buy their planes, calipers and depth tapers? gauges. One guy made his first 30 rods on his maple forms before he got a set of Wagner steel I would say that I usually make the classic ta- forms. I have also “taught” 10-20 others that pers. I am normally making them for people to just stop by to figure out a problem step so they fish and I want to make something for them that can keep going on their own. I know they will enjoy and fish regularly. That means experimental rods are much more likely Every time you work with people it is a learning to be a risk. experience. What I like is getting to know each person over the rod making experience. Be- I want to know how it is going to cast or feel tween the time spent building forms, making based on trying these at different gatherings or the rod shaft them and coming back to do all of having made them previously. People are very the finishing, I figure I spent an intense month willing to share classic tapers that they have with them. Long term friendships come from built but less likely to share the ones they have this type of involvement in others lives. developed personally, which is right and fair, but this does limit others building them. Also, the friendships do not end with a complet- ed rod. If they have built a rod at my house they I love trying new things if I can do them on my are always welcome to come back for bamboo, Wagner forms but when I get a rod done I want use of my rough beveler, binder, oven and dip to enjoy it. If it is a dud (I have a number of tube while they build their own stuff. It is fun those as well) my cheap nature just will not al- keeping the relationships current. Feeds my low me to strip it and throw it away to build a need to build! new one. Lately I have had a lot of contact with people PF: If I’m not mistaken, you’ve run some wanting to know how to refinish old rods and classes for new rodmakers. Is this a learning make them fishable again. This is a whole new experience for you as well? area of relationships.

Since I organized the first classes for Ron at my I am a guy so I do not do “relationship” stuff house in the late 90s, I have continued to teach well. I find it is easier if it creeps up on you others and mentor those who could not take or while you are accomplishing a task… Mentor- afford a “class.” We organized the first classes (Continued on page 44) P a g e 44 ing takes time and builds trust. This is very worth it and it justifies my time in the base- I started at a time when there was only a little ment… information available like The Planing Form, Hoagie Carmichael’s book and Jack Howell’s PF: What do you think beginning rodmakers book. Connecting with Ron was the impetus to struggle with most? What advice would you start making rods. Building my own wooden give to overcome this obstacle? form was also very instructional and made this much less intimidating. I did not need to buy an This is a funny question to think about. My two expensive metal form for a hobby which might big issues that I come across with guys are: only produce one rod.

• Listening and following directions. I have I like the basic hand planning of rods so I would had a woman build a rod and she did it not have bought the Morgan Mill or other auto- beautifully. She did not rush or decide that mated ways of doing things. I really enjoy the she had a better idea on her first rod. Guys way I make rods and even though I have made are always trying to jump ahead before the refinements I have not changed the basic con- step they are on is completed. struction methods. • The internet!!!! They are coming to me to build a rod because they have, in most cas- I guess the final answer to the question is that I es, tried for years to figure out bamboo rod don’t think I would change much from when I building and how to get started. As soon as started – I will say Ron gave me a good solid we begin, I am usually bombarded by all the foundation to build from. I really enjoy the abil- advice on the internet about how I should be ity to make variations of rods such as Tri-Hexs, building a rod. While most of the techniques 4 piece and bamboo ferruled rods with my rela- and advice work, their experience does not tively simple set up. allow them to figure out which advice to use in a particular situation. My standard re- PF: I’m currently working on finishing sponse is when they are doing this class is wraps on rods. This is probably my least fa- that they will do this my way first so they vorite part of the rodmaking process. What get a good fun successful first rod experi- part of the process is your least favorite? ence. After that they are free to try any method they want. It is however interesting Least favorite… The wrapping can be kind of to discuss the many ways to approach build- tedious, but I am learning to relax and enjoy ing a rod with them as long as they are mak- that. I admire many of the styles people have ing progress. developed and how they decorate their rods with meticulous and beautiful wraps. Mine are I really do enjoy helping new people build their more utilitarian but I am beginning to add some first rod and beyond because of the relation- flair. I will never have the hand writing beauty ships. of Malcom, however.

PF: If you could start making rods again I guess the final buffing after varnish would be knowing what you know now, what would my least favorite. Once a rod is varnished and you change about your rodmaking? has a smooth finish with no runs or issues, I like to be finished. Waiting weeks for the finish to That is a tough question since it has been such a get good and hard and hand rubbing it out is not long time since I started. The one thing I would a pleasure, I want to move on. Fortunately, I do have changed is that I would not have waited so not sell rods very often and my donation rods long to get help to get started. There is nothing are only one or two a year. As my wife says it’s like the personal interaction with a maker to get a fishing pole after all. you off the dime. (Continued on page 45) P a g e 45 A heat treating oven. PF: Do you usually make one rod at a time Heated dip tube and string motor. or will you make several rods at the same drying cabinet with 100 watt light bulb time? What are your thoughts on single vs. heater. multiple rod builds? A Tormek sharpener.

Many times, I make two rods at the same time I would love to replace my beveller with a new for the Fly-Fishing club auctions. They raffle one from Quinchat by Dennis Bertram but off one of my rods every year as a fund raiser. I mine still works after hundreds or rods and I have so far made 24 rods for them. They do a am too cheap to get rid of it. raffle, so everyone has a chance as opposed to an auction when only a couple of people with Really the Tormek sharpener is rather superflu- deep pockets bid. ous since sharpening by hand is so easy with a jig I made to set the blade depth in a holder. Of Anyway, for those, I am usually in a rush (they course, my Wagner forms replaced my wooden keep moving the auction forward in the year). I and Bootstrap forms of old. make two identical rods with two tips each so that I can make up the best one for the auction. PF: What do you think the future of rod- I will finish the other up for me. It is always a making holds? taper I know will be good or one that I have wanted to build because I cast someone else’s Without a doubt the future is new younger fly excellent rod at a gathering. fishers. This can be young adults as well as kids from 8 to 20. The Veteran rod making I don’t think I could do two rods of different classes are an exceptional way to thank and tapers at the same time and keep everything help these special people grow their love of straight, especially if they are tri-hexs (those fishing and building stuff. make my head hurt at the best of time). I might start another rod after one that I was working It is interesting that any rod builder can share on is glued up or in the finishing stages of var- their dedication to this craft by mentoring a nish but not planning two different rods at the new builder without a formal class. same time. For the younger generation (makes me sound My biggest problem is that I have a lot of rods old), it seems that fewer kids and young people that I built for fun and are now lying around for are being trained or shown the joys of building me to do something with. Maybe we should and repairing things with their hands. Most have a session at a gathering about what to do High Schools and Jr High Schools have elimi- with all your excess rods that you have made nated shop and mechanical drawing, so kids and no longer fish. have no experience with this. This is a great thing to help them build confidence. PF: What machines do you use to assist in making rods? Several years ago, my sister in law and her 10- year-old son lived with us while she was un- I use the normal machines which consist of: dergoing cancer treatments (her husband and other kids were finishing school in the north- Garrison style binder (Digger Degere style, east). Her 10-year-old would complain that he which is a continuous Kevlar roving was bored, so I dragged him downstairs to start drive belt). building a rod. He hand planed and built a Rough Beveller that I made from a washing great Payne 98 that he still has 20 years later. machine motor and milling cutter (I Every time he would complain that he was added Al Medved hold downs and vac- bored I would take him downstairs for more uum cover/port later). (Continued on page 46) P a g e 46 planing… He stopped being bored pretty their kids with them when they come over to quickly and did finish the rod. build so we have to find something for them to enjoy as well. One young lady (age 10) sanded As a grandparent, I have enjoyed helping my her father’s first rod’s handle while he was fer- grandsons and granddaughters build bird hous- ruling the rod tips. That took a lot of courage es, hatchets, sheath knives and pocket on his part, but she did that expertly. She will knives ,as well as other things in the shop. not forget that she helped build his rod. That is Sharing my love for fishing and their interest in the important part, building long term relation- archery, golf, and shooting has been very im- ships while accomplishing their goal of build- portant in building our relationships and their ing something beautiful. confidence. PF: Would you be willing to share a favorite They have been downstairs with me many taper? times, when I am working on rods or on a re- cent occasion when I was making a Harry Pot- One of the rods I build a lot of is the Perfec- ter magic wand. I was making this for a 13- tionist taper that I use for a 4-piece rod. Of all year-old who had broken his plastic imitation. the Paul Young Perfectionist tapers out there, He will not break this baby; it is made from a this one is a strong taper that does excellently ¾” walnut dowel with rod wrapping thread as a 4 piece with no modifications. I have used highlights of red and gold and a hand carved several tapers for this, but when Lee Koch handle. The two older grandkids loved being shared this one, it created the best outcome for involved in that project. Quite a project on an me. An 8-footer would be the Dickerson 8013 old Craftsman metal lathe from the 40s mostly which I really enjoy as well. used for rod making. I forgot to mention the lathe and my 1940s drill press under the tools. There is also a modified Orvis PF: How would you like to be remembered My new favorite 7 foot 3 piece I in the rodmaking community once your rod- Perfectionist taper also like. making days are finished? 0 0.058 0 0.065 I am not a great innovator and machine tool 5 0.083 5 0.086 guy so I don’t think I will be remembered for 10 0.089 10 0.102 any great new things being added to design. I 15 0.113 15 0.112 am not an artist so the meticulous beauty of my 20 0.128 20 0.125 wraps and finishes will not be the thing people 25 0.140 25 0.132 remember. I am also not a great fisherman 30 0.164 since I can only get to trout streams a few 30 0.132 times a year. 35 0.185 35 0.138 40 0.201 40 0.146 I hope that people will remember me as a per- 45 0.216 45 0.154 son who encouraged new builders and became 50 0.220 50 0.18 a good friend and resource for problem solv- 55 0.220 55 0.198 ing. Something that I always enjoy is meeting 60 0.234 60 0.215 new rod builders and seeing their first or sec- 65 0.254 65 0.232 ond rods at the gatherings. It is great to wel- 70 0.269 come and encourage them as part of a fraterni- 70 0.25 ty of craftsmen. 75 0.275 75 0.265 80 0.332 80 0.283 I know I have helped quite a few people build 85 0.332 85 0.292 their first couple of rods and gotten to know 90 0.332 them personally. Several of them have brought P a g e 47

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