News for 2023 (And my first blog entry)

I’m sorry I have neglected the blog side of things, but I’m far better at making rods than I am at writing content.

With that being said, a few things have been changing and it’s time I shared some of that.

I have been developing my own reel seats, a process which has been more time consuming than I had expected, but it does mean that I no longer have to import American made reel seats and have greater control over the sources of my wood spacers. All my spacers are now European hardwoods and presently exclusively sourced from UK grown trees. Holly, Elm, Sycamore, Maple and Chestnut are presently in stock and I’m hoping to secure some high grade figured walnut soon. It seems crazy to me that we continue to use tropical hardwoods for reel seats, especially when our native woods are so pretty. Each reel seat is hand turned, by me and selected for the particular rod it’s fitted to.

I now make all my snake guides in house too, using hard drawn nickel silver wire. This development means I can produce high quality English twist guides to sizes not easily found from suppliers. These can be provided in blued, bronzed or bright, although I find the bright a little to much on a bamboo rod.

And finally, after a long wait, I can announce that new fly reels are coming. I will be starting with a batch of ten numbered ‘Wallace’ fly reels. If you want one of these, you can email me to register interest. I will be including a block leather reel case with each. The price will be increasing a little from the £325, materials and production costs have risen in recent years. Once I know exactly how much they are going to cost me I will let you know. These are hand built in England and genuinely lovely to use. Mine has been in constant use for over a Decade now with no signs of growing tired.

I’m also testing a new reel model, which will be added to the range once I’m happy that it performs to the standards I expect, I will report on progress later in the season.

A new Dart 6’6” is on the drawing board as well as a new 12’9” Spey Rod, but these will have to be rigorously tested before release. The trouble is finding time to build rods between orders, but I’m keen to expand on the very successful Dart range. The taper archive is growing and there is plenty of choice if you want something specific. Remember I will ask you lots of questions about the type of water you fish because it’s important to me that the rod I build will do exactly what you ask of it.

That’s pretty much it for now, the 2023 season is underway and I wish you all the very best. There is fishing to be done.

G.