Who is your favorite underrated CLASSIC rod maker?

[16pmd]

Cris Carpenter makes long lightline hollowbuilt rods in the same style as some of the big name makers but a much lower price. They are outstanding casters, beautifully made and understated in appearance. Being from the Kansas City area, he's not in one of the hotbeds of bamboo but his rods deserve much more attention than they've received so far. He's expanding his line to quads and three piece models. His 8'3" 3 wt. is amazingly capable and suitable for both eastern and larger western streams.

[thegubster]

Cris Carpenter makes long lightline hollowbuilt rods... He's expanding his line to quads and three piece models. His 8'3" 3 wt. is amazingly capable and suitable for both eastern and larger western streams.

Geez how I wish I'd never read this.... Thanks 16pmd.

Two notables come to mind for me, Rob Hoffhines and Chris Carlin.

I have rods from each and both are exemplary rods in ... every sense of the word. And both have bent over backwards to help me out with a particular build!!!

There are others I'm sure but these two jumped to the front as I read the intro.

[maruoff]

Hawes for sure
Sedgwick
Divine

Absolutely Ted Simroe. No idea why he does not get the recognition he deserves.
AJ Thramer for the most exact reproduction of classic tapers and his rodmaking as such.

Pezon & Michel for quality, innovation and the time they have been in existence.



Ralph (czkid) would add Fruchting for sure

[Vaughanwilson3022]

+1 for Cris Carpenter and Chris Carlin as both are making excellent hollow built rods.

[Morten]

Ted Simroe, and the Swede Carl Anderberg.

[PYochim]

.

[jimwright]

Joe Balestrieri, Redwing Rods. I have a 9' 2" 2 pc. impregnated 8 wt. "Steelhead/Salt" taper by him. Fished it yesterday in rain and high winds catching redfish up to 38" and it performed beautifully as it did for Belize Bonefish last August. I am waiting to receive a 7' 9" 2 pc. 4/5 wt. parabolic rod I intend to fish a lot with with soft hackles/wets on the small to medium streams I enjoy. The rod is finished and I've seen pictures, it is a beauty. Joe listens and works with you to produce a rod suited to your particular wants.

[Flyman615]

+1 for Cris Carpenter and Chris Carlin as both are making excellent hollow built rods.

Since the discussion now includes contemporary makers, I would agree with the mention of Carpenter and Carlin. Two of the best "young guns".

Three by Cris Carpenter--8'2" 2/2 HB 3/4 wt.; 8'0" 2/1, 4/5 wt.; 7'3" 2/1, 3 wt.

A 7'9" 2/2 semi-hollow built on the PHY Para 14 taper by Chris Carlin.

Scott

[ffftroutbum]

+1 for Cris Carpenter. I have several of his rods and they are very nice.

[Paul B]

I would like to add a few Brit makers here for the record
John Brough from Leicester, absolute perfection at an incredible price .
Johns rods were made on a modified miller that he purchased from another well known maker ,Marcus Warwick.
Another Brit worth the mention would be Trevor Smith from Halifax from the days of when he traded as Upstream Tackle , all hand planed and well worth buying if you can ever find them .

[creakycane]

Maybe not my absolute favorite, but the query makes me think of Dominic Croce. I have one rod of his that is not only finished superbly, but it has a most complex action and feel -- make for a perfect 7'3" for a 4.

Ed Fody has already been mentioned. Whether flamed or blond, his rods shine.
Bob Lancaster I consider overlooked, rather than underrated.
Most of the Jon Parker rods I have bought, I have kept -- and use them frequently.

[Flyman615]

Bob Lancaster I consider overlooked, rather than underrated.

I agree, creaky. And "overlooked" is another good criteria too for this thread!

Scott

[PYochim]

Another fine rodmaker is Darryl Whitehead. Many don't look past the engraved ferrules, ivory reel seats and other ornamentation but the rods of his are fine fishing and casting tools. My wife uses her Whitehead Presentation quite a bit. It is a stud of a rod.

[maruoff]

Well, we would certainly have to add Edward Barder from the UK. Very pricy but also in the absolute top spot reg. workmanship, experience, overall looks and quality.

As if Marc Aroner and T & T would go completely under the radar. Quite unusual that such work does not get more recognition.

[Peales]

Hal Bacon.

[16parachuteadams]

Since classic makers were requested, I'm going to have to say Fred Divine. Munsey and Kentucky Jim among current makers.

[Althehackleman]

Not quite sure about the “classic” title but I sure love fishing rods made by the following makers,
Jim Downes
Lou Parks
AJ Thramer
Duane MacKenzie
Maybe I have too many options.

[Flyman615]

OK, for sake of this ongoing discussion, let's say "CLASSIC" rod maker is defined as making the majority of their bamboo rods before 1970.

Scott

[RMorrison]

OK, for sake of this ongoing discussion, let's say "CLASSIC" rod maker is defined as making the majority of their bamboo rods before 1970.

Scott

Make is 1980 or so so we can still include Walton Powell! Hard to say but I’m guessing Walt built more cane rods after 1970 than before. I don’t know for sure.

[Flyman615]

OK, for sake of this ongoing discussion, let's say "CLASSIC" rod maker is defined as making the majority of their bamboo rods before 1970.

Scott

Make is 1980 or so so we can still include Walton Powell! Hard to say but I’m guessing Walt built more cane rods after 1970 than before. I don’t know for sure.

OK, Pal...I was guessing he made more before 1970. I don't know for sure either!

Scott