There are some regional rod makers making some pretty nice sticks these days. We're proud to be able to put together a special "Blue Ticket" raffle for the night of the Anglers of the Au Sable 20th Anniversary Celebration. Four rods, all on one rack. First ticket pulled, select a rod. And so on. You need to be present to win on of these beauties.
Ron is the editor and publisher of The Planing Form, an international newsletter for split bamboo rod enthusiasts. He also conducts rod making schools and seminars, recently participating as lead instructor at The Catskills Fly Fishing Center. Ron has successfully instructed dozens of angler/craftsmen in the art of split cane rod making. His list of credits includes: skilled woodworker, rod maker, angler, author, publisher and dedicated environmentalist.
Ron has designed and crafted split bamboo fly rods for Americans, Canadians, Europeans, as well as groups such as Trout Unlimited and Reeling & Healing. He understands what a fly rod should accomplish and how to make one that meets the angler’s expectations. He currently lives with his wife, Carole, in rural Hastings, Michigan. When not in the shop or at his desk, Ron chases trout, and grouse, and sometimes a golf ball.
Ron has to decided to donate an Alder Creek split bamboo rod, model #84307. It is a 7ft, 2pc. 4wt. fly rod made especially for the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Anglers of The Au Sable. The rod includes two matching tips, is flamed in the style of Paul H Young, utilizes the Dickerson node stagger pattern, and is tapered in the classic Payne 98 design. The rod comes with a hand rubbed walnut hexagonal case and cloth sack. To further celebrate and recognize the contributions of the Anglers of the Au Sable, pre-war Tonkin Cane was used in the construction of this rod. Ron calls his version of this classic dry fly design “The Kestrel.” Like its name sake the sparrow hawk, it’s quick and accurate, a perfect small stream rod for the demanding angling situations found on the Au Sable or Manistee watersheds.
In the summer of 1969 Lou stepped into the South Branch of the AuSable River for the first time. It’s been almost 40 years and he still fishes the Mason Tract, only now with a Bamboo rod. He started making Bamboo rods in 1998 right here in Grayling with a lot of help from Wayne Cattanach – some of Wayne’s tapers are still Lou’s favorites. He spent most of my working life in the Auto business, including a Tool & Die apprenticeship at Ford and 25 years at Jeep Engineering (DaimlerChrysler) before retiring last December to pursue making rods and chasing trout full time. When not in Grayling on the AuSable, one can find him at home in Monroe, either working in the shop or trying to keep his wife, Margie and their two sons happy (tall order). They try to visit Western Montana a couple of times every summer but like Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz – “There’s no place like home.”
The rod Lou put together for the Anglers 20th Anniversary Celebration is a 7’6” – 2 piece rod based on a Cattanach taper. In Lou’s opinion, this rod works best with a W.F. 5 (specifically the Cortland Clear Creek line) but some folks use a D.T. 4. This rod feels a little unusual at first – it balances a little tip heavy, especially compared to a graphite rod, but if you give it a chance you will find it to be an exceptionally smooth rod that just keeps working down from the tip as more line is cast. The flamed bamboo, blued nickel silver ferrules and reel seat hardware, maple burl filler and bronze guides under Pearsall Java Brown silk present a traditional, classic appearance. The package includes two matched tip sections, rod bag and black powder coated aluminum tube with a vent-seal cap.
Winston, 64, recently retired from the recreational vehicle business after 43 years. Father of two and grandfather of eight, Winston, along with his wife of 44 years, bought a small cabin in the area in 2003 so they could enjoy the fishing and north woods atmosphere. His goal is to spend much more time "up north" this year, catching all the good hatches.
Winston started assembling fiberglass rods in the '60's and progressed to graphite while always hoping someday to make a cane rod. He made the jump to bamboo in 1998 and has built about 25 rods to date.
His first love is trout fishing, especially brookies, with smallmouth as his second choice. Winston tries to fish the Madison in Montana every year and has really grown to love that area.
He’s chosen to make and donate a Paul Young Perfectionist taper rod for the Anglers 20th Anniversary Celebration. The cane will be flamed to a dark caramel color, wrapped in antique gold silks, with a smallish (6") half wells grip. Winston has not decided what reel seat to use yet but is leaning towards a cork filler with downlocking black hardware. He dip finishes all his rods using either Last 'N Last Marine and Spar varnish, or Pratt & Lambert Varmor R-10 urethane.
Duane retired three years ago from a major automotive supplier. His career in engineering started in 1965 as an apprentice detailer and concluded as a Regional Sales Manager in 2003. At retirement Duane and his wife of 37 years, Beverley, moved to Grayling. Together they completely remodeled a cabin built in 1927, along with a well-stocked workshop in which to build bamboo fly rods, and made their home on the banks of the Holy Waters of the Au Sable River. Duane and Beverley have two children, Scott and Jennifer. In his spare time when Duane is not building bamboo fly rods he ties classic salmon flies, shoots trap and skeet at the Grayling Sportsman Club and plays a little golf. Duane and Bev also like to travel when they get the chance.
In 1998, under the tutelage of Ron Barch, Duane built his first bamboo fly rod. From that point it’s history. Duane has designed and built all of his tooling and equipment that is required to build bamboo fly rods. To date Duane has built 24 rods.
Duane will be honored to build and contribute to the Anglers of the Au Sable
20th Anniversary Celebration a 7’9” 5/6 weight two piece-two tip traditional
blond rod using Garrison’s 209E taper and node spacing , light brown wraps
tipped in black, nickel silver fittings and a down locking reel seat, along
with a cloth bag and black powdered coated rod tube. This rod would be ideal
for Drake, Hex and streamer fishing.
For more information, please Contact Rusty Gates, 989-348-8462 or gator@gateslodge.com
© Copyright , Anglers of the Au Sable, Inc. All rights reserved. Last modified: March 28, 2007