This is one of the rods I brought for display at the London Flyfishing Fair a few weeks ago. It's a Tom Morgan Rodsmiths 7'6'', 5wt rod, produced during the time Tom was still alive. One would think that the shorter length would make it stiffy, but this is a smooth, progressive taper with medium action. Off center reel seat with NS hardware, with a flush transition over to a straight cigar grip. Chrome guides and red silk. This rod will be offered for sale through Alternative Tackle. 

I'm not a Spey guy, but many of my close friends are and I have tried to absorb as much as possible over the years. Thanks to them, I sometimes dare to move outside my comfort zone and build two hand rods. Here comes an Epic DH11 built for a gentleman in Norway, finished in a classic style with a bi-metal reel seat from Joel Lemke with wodden insert in Turkish walnut. Snake Brand Originals in dark nickel, wrapped with Pearsall in chestnut. Length marks at 70 and 80 centimeters. I can't wait to get some river pictures with this rod together with a large salmon. 

This rod was made for my dear friend and master rod builder Christ Barclay. It will be paired with one of my The Can-reels, and will make a wonderful combo for North Carolina brookies. The blank is another of Tomo Ijuin's 7'02'', 3wt Hard Parabolics. Smooth and yet powerful. This rod shows my new offset reel seat design, this time with a gap between the grip and the cork insert. The back of the grip aligns seamlessly with the reel seat, allowing the hand to move freely. To be honest, I assumed I was first with this idea, but another friend and rod artisan Steve Boshoff kindly made me aware of the work of Mr. Henry Haneda in Japan who has used this concept. Sharing ideas and developing the craft is a prime mover for me, and I was happy to hear about Mr. Hanedas work. The rod was completed with a straight cigar grip and a raw bark check. Quite straight forward, but still very Fine Tackle in its style, and a nice addition to my catalogue. 

Here comes a recently finished Epic 580-4 in Mocha color. This rod was built in Orvis Superfine style, with a reversed half wells grip and a threaded winding check. Uplocking hardware in polished aluminum and chrome guides wrapped in chestnut Kimono silk. This rod was made to a friend and a prominent fly fishing guide in the Swedish Lapland. I'm sure it will see some good use this summer under the midnight sun. 

I have known Fred for almost ten years, he was one of the few builders who was dedicated to fiberglass back then. Fred was also a great help and inspiration in the beginning. We exchanged emails and thoughts, and step by step I started to learn the craft. Two years ago we spent some time together in Michigan, fishing and having a great time. Fred had brought his new tapers, and showed us blanks rolled by Mike McFarland. Another friend of ours asked me if I was interested in building out a 805-3 Paddock blank from this series, and here is the result. Fred has been moving towards faster glass, but this is still a smooth taper, well balanced with medium progressive action. The rod was appointed with a Lemke DL seat in dark nickel and varnished cork insert, a 6'' full wells grip and Snake Brand Originals wrapped with Pearsall Naples silk. I look forward to see this rod baptized in the Au Sable river next summer. 

This Morgan rod was completed a few years ago, but came back with a change request from a friend of mine in Utah. The reel seat was originally a threaded down lock, but I was asked to replace it with a signature seat in all cork, to match another Fine Tackle build in my friends collection. It came out very well. And yes, this is a really sweet taper, the 8', 4wt by Tom Morgan. 

This rod is also from Tomo Ijuins "Hard-Para"-series, but the 7'02'', 3wt taper. This rod was made with the same off-set reel seat, in a more articulated manor. The back of the wooden insert aligns seamlessly with the cork grip, and it becomes like one long grip for the hand to move along. The balance is amazing, and the ergonomics are prefect. The reel seat is made from Turkish walnut with brass skeleton. A straight Ritz grip, 5.5''long, and Snake Brand Universals wrapped in bright chestnut Kimono silk. This rod was built for my friend the shoemaker Norman Vilalta, and delivered in person in his amazing workshop in Barcelona last week. Keep up the good work, Norman!