For those of you that have have followed the features at this site, you will know of my own personal interest in fishing rod building. Custom rod building is a popular hobby for many who want to build their own rods; as well, it is generally accepted that you can purchase a better rod from an experienced and honest rod builder than one 'off the rack'.

Rod building began centuries ago as craftsmen experimented and tried new methods to produce a tool that would be more suitable for catching fish than simply using a a long sturdy branch cut from a tree. Even in Izaac Walton's day, while most anglers would carefully choose a piece of wood to use as a means to extend their reach on the water, some craftsmen were busy finding ways to hollow out wood, devising methods to join different types of wood to take advantage of different species' properties for flexibility and strength, and strove to lessen the weight of the rod.

When bamboo was discovered as an excellent material for fly rods, many craftsmen, mostly American, began experimenting with this material. Even today, learning methods to build better cane rods continues, but most of this work is built upon that of previous rod builders. To explore some of the craftsmanship and the craftsmen today that are involved in cane rod building, you may want to look at two previous features: Art Of Splitting Cane and Split Cane Builders Today.

There are some interesting resources available on some of the masters of cane rod building. Some of their life stories are very interesting. Here is what I have found recently, and I hope you will find the following as interesting as I did:

Collecting Split-Cane Rods
Len Codella with Ernest Schwiebert provide valuable information on collecting antique cane rods with a look at the masters of the craft. From FFN Currents & Eddies.

Edward Payne Rod Company
Many believe that a Payne is the ultimate split cane rod.

Eustis Edwards Rods
A partner of Fred Thomas and Ed Payne for a time, Edwards passed on his skills to his sons who continued the cane craft.

Everett Garrison
This craftsman's rods are very valuable. His attention to detail was such that he only built about 900 rods over his lifetime.

Gillum Rods
This crafter's rods command high prices on the antique market today.

Grandfather's 'Fore'-cast Pays Off
Mary Dillon writes in Primetime News Observer about Paul Young's wise decision that has benefitted his grandson, Todd Young.

Granger Rod Co.
Goodwin Granger began making rods in Denver, CO., shortly after World War I.

James Heddon & Sons Rod Co.
One of the finer production cane fly rod companies.

H. L. Leonard Rods
Sometimes referred to as the 'father of split cane' as it is believed Hiram Leonard was the first to build 6 strip rods.

Lyle Dickerson
Generally not well known, Dickerson built about 2,000 rods in his lifetime.

Memories Of Paul Young
Chauncy Lively writes of his own memories of builder Paul Young and recounts fishing memories.

Paul Young Rods
This article provides some biographical information.

Phillipson Rods
A pioneer in the development of fibreglas rods, Phillipson is well known for his quality cane offerings.

Powell Rods
Edwin Powell built his first rod in 1912 and changed his techniques for construction several times.