Who is your favorite underrated CLASSIC rod maker?

[carl otto]

The operative word in the original thread start was, "underrated" and "classic". So I would take that to mean a person who built rods using the classic tapers derived from earlier builders or derivatives thereof, AND some one who has toiled without published recognition or notoriety through other means (in regards to rod building that is). There was no qualifier as to their current physical presence on this earth.

Many good names came up that fit that ticket along with many good builders I would not classify as underrated.

Perhaps this thread has been exhausted?

Carl

[Flyman615]

Well, Carl, as the OP for this thread my intention was to have an ongoing discussion containing thoughts and personal opinions from individuals on this Forum.

At first I was most interested in 'Classic' or deceased rod builders who MAY be somewhat overlooked and/or underrated. However, this basis has also morphed into a similar discussion of contemporary rod makers, which is fine with me.

And perhaps--just perhaps--some consensus has been reached on a few rod builders who have been mentioned by multiple thread participants. In any case, I don't think it's up to either you, or me for that matter, to determine if the thread has been "exhausted".

I'll bet there are still lots of forum members who are yet to chime in. Bring 'em on!

Scott

[pgwulf]

Jim Schaaf, John Weir, & Walton Powell

Almost forgot, Ralph Moon

[kingstu]

Mark Canfield Idaho!

[kermit]

Modern Classic - AJ Thramer

[Mayfly1]

George Halstead

[red 1]

Still enjoy Streamer’s aka Housatonic Rods- rods. Own a few of his Edwards rods. Smile every time I fish them.

[DUCKMANNM]

I vote for the late Ralph Moon! I made my first bamboo rod under his tutelage! He showed me inexpensive ways do things that I know other guys spend a ton of money doing. He came down from Idaho one summer to Orange County California, and 9 of my friends and I built a bamboo blank over the weekend. 7' 4 weight when I started the blank and I ended up at 6'9" for 4 weight.

Also, if I could have picked my own Grandfather, I'd have picked Ralph, and Pat Moon for Grandmother! I miss them both, especially when Ralph invited me to fish the Henry's Fork in his backyard if I ever came to Idaho, but I forget if he was in St. Anthony, or Chester, and they were little towns about a mile apart, about halfway to West Yellowstone from Idaho Falls.

[sodbank]

Art Wieler gets my vote.

[twistedtippet]

Not mentioned yet, but I've always been a fan of Jon Parkers rods.
tt

[headwaters]

For where I do most of my fishing, Robert Gorman!

One of the great personal tragedies caused by Hurricane Irene was that it wiped out his shop in Brattleboro Vermont and effectively ended his business.

[slate river]

Peter Carboni,
MJ Dougherty&
Steve Marcino

[Brooks]

I vote for the late Ralph Moon! I made my first bamboo rod under his tutelage! He showed me inexpensive ways do things that I know other guys spend a ton of money doing. He came down from Idaho one summer to Orange County California, and 9 of my friends and I built a bamboo blank over the weekend. 7' 4 weight when I started the blank and I ended up at 6'9" for 4 weight.

Also, if I could have picked my own Grandfather, I'd have picked Ralph, and Pat Moon for Grandmother! I miss them both, especially when Ralph invited me to fish the Henry's Fork in his backyard if I ever came to Idaho, but I forget if he was in St. Anthony, or Chester, and they were little towns about a mile apart, about halfway to West Yellowstone from Idaho Falls.

Ralph was such a nice gentleman. I always looked forward to seeing him and Pat at the East Idaho Fly Expo. In his last years, Pat would wheel Ralph in his wheel chair from booth to booth so that he could say hello to everybody. He died in 2011. He lived near Chester.

[sagegrouse715]

Joe Bradley

[kconway]

+1 for Joe Bradley.

[Canewrap]

Harry Boyd definitely needs to be mentioned here. He makes a top-shelf rod and has been a guiding light for many of the newer rodmakers.

[dshx]

At this point of the thread, shall we say pretty much anyone who has made a bamboo rod, past or present?

-Dwight

[kconway]

Ron Barch

[wb4tjh]

Harry Boyd well deserves mention for his lovely rods and contributions to the craft. Gordon Roller of Cassville, Mo., is an up and coming rod maker who has done beautiful work for me and is making some incredible light line rods that as well designed and made as anything I have ever seen.

[dshx]

For those who responded or will respond, in the spirit of the thread, could you indicate why you include the person as a “classic” maker and why you consider the maker as underrated?

-Dwight