New Thomas fly rods

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bob2935
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New Thomas fly rods

#1

Post by bob2935 »

Just found this on You Tube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZlE6lJXHos

Do not know all that much about Thomas rods and found this informative plus nicely done.

Thanks Bohemian Bob

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hatch
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Re: New Thomas fly rods

#2

Post by hatch »

Nice work Kevin and Steve!

headwaters
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Re: New Thomas fly rods

#3

Post by headwaters »

Excellent! Thanks for sharing, Bob!

PYochim
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Re: New Thomas fly rods

#4

Post by PYochim »

This is pretty impressive. Does anyone here know this guy?

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firehole
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Re: New Thomas fly rods

#5

Post by firehole »

Outstanding! Thanks for sharing.
Dennis

All original FET Browntone 7 1/2' 2/2 4/5wt. 3 1/2oz. built 11/2/51
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Last edited by firehole on 02/05/22 15:59, edited 4 times in total.

jim royston
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Re: New Thomas fly rods

#6

Post by jim royston »

I'm also intrigued by what looks like a Fender Telecaster body shape under the bench. I wonder if that is another of his passions

sunjpg
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Re: New Thomas fly rods

#7

Post by sunjpg »

Yes, check out the next to the last paragraph on Steve's website's home page. He has a very nice website.

"Trade-ins of vintage rods, reels, and high quality guitars are considered on a case by case basis."

http://www.thomasrodco.com/

Jay

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hatch
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Re: New Thomas fly rods

#8

Post by hatch »

PYochim wrote:
01/19/22 12:16
This is pretty impressive. Does anyone here know this guy?
Steve Campbell lives about 60 miles up the road from me in Brewer Maine. He does all my restoration and repair work. Nice guy ,straight shooter. Check the F E Thomas rod company website for more info. He posts on this board from time to time.

bob2935
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Re: New Thomas fly rods

#9

Post by bob2935 »

Does anyone know if he also makes his own ferrules and reel seat hardware. Also wondering how close his tapers are to the original Thomas tapers. Have never cast a real Thomas rod but remember Walt Carpenter informing me on how great they are. His work looks very nice.

Bohemian Bob
Last edited by bob2935 on 01/20/22 08:36, edited 1 time in total.

fefferje
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Re: New Thomas fly rods

#10

Post by fefferje »

Thanks Bob for sharing that lovely video. In a very short time Kevin and Steve convey how important it is for Steve to continue the Thomas tradition. The peculiar beauty and history of the Thomas Rod Company was was well represented. Thanks again Bob. Jed
Fefferfly

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Re: New Thomas fly rods

#11

Post by Bill Terry »

I recently had Steve build one for me—an 8’ 6” 3-pc 6-wt. His workmanship is beautiful. The rod is on the slow side, but very powerful. The ferrules were too loose when I received the rod, and he replaced them promptly.

As with the originals, there are no inscriptions on the shaft. The logo and the serial number are engraved on the butt cap. Very understated and elegant.

Steve is a nice guy and easy to work with.
Ad piscatoribus sunt omnes res secundi.

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RWHoffhines
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Re: New Thomas fly rods

#12

Post by RWHoffhines »

Man is living my dream. I have a special place in my heart for FE Thomas rods. Seems like the name is in conscientious, good hands

Bill Terry
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Re: New Thomas fly rods

#13

Post by Bill Terry »

Here are pictures of my new Thomas rod.

To my taste, the reversed half-Wells, or coke-bottle, grip is the prettiest, but I had Steve make this full Wells grip to my specifications because I cast best with it. It's copied from my Scott Radian graphite rods.

The rod tube is the nicest I have seen.


Image

Image
Ad piscatoribus sunt omnes res secundi.

Santafecino
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Re: New Thomas fly rods

#14

Post by Santafecino »

Steve Campbell has the Thomas Rod Co. ledgers as far back as they go (mid-'30's). He always responds quickly to a request, based on a rod's serial number, for the information contained in the ledger.

Cimarron
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Re: New Thomas fly rods

#15

Post by Cimarron »

I love his commitment to "the old ways."

Woodlakejag
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Re: New Thomas fly rods

#16

Post by Woodlakejag »

There's also a good article about FE Thomas and Steve Campbell in the 2012 AMFF Journal here:
http://www.amff.org/wp-content/uploads/ ... No4web.pdf

Vol 38 Number 4 at page 2-10

A great article and well worth the read for anyone interested in FE Thomas.

George
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para_adams
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Re: New Thomas fly rods

#17

Post by para_adams »

Steve is great to work with. Solid guy.

billems
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Re: New Thomas fly rods

#18

Post by billems »

My buddy, Peales, owns a forest of rods. But our conversations lead me to believe he's maniacal about two makes: The old leonards and Thomas rods, circa 20s and 30s.

WiFlyFisher
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Re: New Thomas fly rods

#19

Post by WiFlyFisher »

Awesome! Thanks for posting it.

John

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Re: New Thomas fly rods

#20

Post by WiFlyFisher »

I swore I was not going to buy anymore fly rods, but thanks to Bob's post with the video I ended up wandering over to the FE Thomas website. Then I saw an old fly rod that looked very interesting to me. So last Sunday during the NFL games I emailed Steve, he replied immediately and then I called Steve. He is super friendly and very informative. I bought the F.E. Thomas Special 7-1/2' 2/2 bamboo fly rod over the phone. Steve not only shipped the rod on Monday he also emailed me every day this week as he and I tracked the USPS delivery. The snowstorms out East delayed it for a couple of extra days, but my postal carrier handed it to me today.

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I asked Steve to please include the history of the fly rod which he wrote up and included inside the rod case.

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Now I can't wait to fish the FE Thomas fly rod on my home waters this Spring.

John

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