Rods of Distinction
The Measure

It is the "science" of fly fishing that captures us and leads us on in our quest to deepen our understanding of fish, their habits and habitat, and how to use that information to improve our ability to succeed in this challenging sport. It is part of how we are made. We seek to increase our knowledge and skill and prevail over all obstacles to obtain that which is difficult to apprehend. And when we succeed at one level of this multi-faceted sport, we find that it is but one step in a lifelong pursuit, a never-ending staircase of new scenarios, conditions, and obstacles that must be overcome. And that is one of the things that makes this sport worthwhile. Taking up the challenge, setting the goal, pursuing the dream, and coming out victorious.

And yet, flyfishing is as much art as it is science. The inherent splendor of the environment that surrounds the source of our joy, the stream, river, lake, delta, bay, ocean, provides much inspiration and beauty to our "scientific" activity. The elegance of a well-placed (and practiced) cast, the gentleness (and precision) of the line looping through the air, the imaginitive (and persuasive) insect imitation at the end of our line, all represent another aspect of the experience: Artistry. And that is also one of the things that makes this "amusement" worthwhile, and ever so much more than a sport.

As we become more proficient in our skills, as we grow in our appreciation of the beauty of the enterprise, we begin to examine the tools that we use to accomplish them and realize that there might be something better, another option that will give us that additional edge that can spell the difference between a good experience and a great experience, between frustration and joy, between success and failure. A tool that encompasses the best that science has to offer, the most that an implement can provide, and yet at the same time possesses an elegance that coincides with the beauty that sourrounds the endeavor.

So, what is different about a "custom" fly rod? Isn't that name brand outfit the pinnacle of angling equipment achievement?

The Materials

It is in our nature to want the finest possible tools to accomplish the task at hand. We have in mind that it provides us with that "edge" over our competition (whether we are competing against others or ourselves). We want to know that it is not our equipment that is the limiting factor in our success. To this end, we often play "follow the leader" and obtain the equipment that "the other guy" is using, since he is successful. Or, we see the latest rod at the local fly shop, or perhaps read the reviews in the fly fishing magazines that rate Company A's rods the best overall. And then we take a look at the price tag, and that queasy feeling in our stomach is not from lunch, but the knowledge that success has it's price, and it's a LOT higher than you expected.