Who is your favorite underrated CLASSIC rod maker?

[Flyman615]

I'll start it off by saying mine is, without a doubt, Walton Powell. Yes, Walt was eccentric and controversial to be sure. He was both "prickly" and outspoken. That said, in my opinion, he built hundreds of excellent rods in every modern material.

I met Walt years ago at a fishing show in Sacramento, CA and, as I recall, he appeared to very much live up to his reputation. I've owned several of his rods over the years in glass, graphite and bamboo and have enjoyed fishing every one of them.

My latest acquisition is an 8 1/2 ft. 2/2 bamboo rod which--typical of Walt's rods--is marked for a 4,5 or 6 wt. line. I first tried it with a WF-5-F and, not surprisingly, it simply sings! The cosmetics are excellent and Walt's machined u/l reel seat is one of the very best ever invented. The rod's both super smooth and accurate.

Too bad, in my estimation, that way too many bamboo fans tend to shy away from Walt's rods, really for reasons often times misunderstood. That's definitely a mistake, IMHO.


Scott

[Oxbow]

There are 2 or 3 I would like to name name but I have to go with Bob Lancaster. He puts together a really nice package (tube, bag and excellent rods) for the price.

[perfesser]

.

[andre49]

Art Wieler very underrated and great maker.

[ablecane]

Lew Parks comes to mind.

[corlay]

not "classic" (yet), but curiously under-rated in my opinion: Dennis Menscer.

[ibookje]

Sadly Lew passed away too soon.
His rod was the first rod I ever ordered. Is the only rod that I ordered I kept.

Lew Parks comes to mind.

[Holland]

From a post on this forum 4/21/2012:

No me either, though I do have a 7'9" 2/2 "made by" Walton Powell that I would call a 5wt. I remember a long time ago during a conversation about Walt's rods saying that the best 4 wt and 7 wt rods I had ever cast were Walton Powell's and I had a 5 wt that was pretty awesome. I still have the 5 wt and I may actually fish it this evening now that I'm thinking about it! Unfortunately, I don't have access to the 4 and 7.

Very under appreciated rods in my opinion...

Gene

[para_adams]

Chris Carlin. Chris's rods have impeccable workmanship whether they are classic tapers or his own. And his proprietary tapers nicely fill a niche underserved by most makers - large trout, large water.

[16parachuteadams]

1+ on Chris Carlin's rods.

[Tommasini]

Classic Rod Maker? Goodwin Granger, made a great rod for a reasonable price!
Today's Rodmaker ? Kagerow!!

[Morten]

What is meant by underrated?, less known, lower priced, or less presented on the internet?.

[Flyman615]

What is meant by underrated?, less known, lower priced, or less presented on the internet?.

Regarding my original post, the question had nothing to do with rod prices or the internet, for that matter. Instead, in my mind, it's about a relative lack of notoriety/recognition and general discussion over the years.

And originally, I meant the question for "classic era" rod makers or those no longer with us.

That said, the contemporary makers mentioned above are fine to consider as well.

Scott

[Hsimmons]

Bill Phillipson, who's rods always seem to be overshadowed by Granger's even though he designed some of Granger's tapers and then perfected them with his own rod company. And two thumbs up regarding Chris Carlin as a contemporary classic maker of big fish rods.

[fisherman911]

Art Wieler very underrated and great maker.

Plus one for Art Weiler. I've known him from his days in Bound brook NJ back in the 1970's and 80's. I worked with his wife at Baker & Taylor in those days. I bought my first rod from him from Efingers Sporting Goods, Bound Brook NJ around 1978 or so and another from the "Mountain Shop" Madison NJ around 1982 or 83. A couple more from his shop in Pa. around 1995/96. Just a great craftsmen and very knowledgeable.

[perfesser]

pezon et michel.

[PYochim]

I

[cdmoore]

...

[gooseberryrods]

Ed Fody comes to mind. His rods are right up there with the best makers.
Carmichael has written good things about Ed and his rods.

[Grandhogair]

Joe Perrigo of Genesee Valley Rods. No longer active I believe but I have a 7' and 7 1/2' rod of his and they are exceptional fishing rods, nicely executed.