Hello,
We founded "Lord of the Streams Custom Fly Rods"® based on the beliefs that : 1) catch and release fly fishing is one of the best, most relaxing, and most enjoyable pastimes in creation; 2) purchasing the very best custom flyfishing equipment is usually a bit more expensive than it needs to be and that we could reduce these costs; and 3) if you treat people fairly and always provide them with the best products and service that you can, you will gain repeat customers. This philosophy is working quite well!
Our company motto is "Special handcrafted and reasonably priced flyrods for discriminating flyfishers". We don't make good quality, cheaply priced rflyods. We make premium rods that we believe are better than most of the large manufacturers' products and offer package pricing on rods, reels, lines etc. that are very difficult, if not impossible, to beat! We are dedicated to making unique, one of a kind, world class, custom fly rods especially for you, that will equal or surpass the competition in quality, performance and pricing. We then provide you with wonderful reels by Lamson or Galvan and Lines by Rio, that we believe are unsurpassed in quality, at reasonable prices!
There is just something special about holding a truly great rod, looking down and seeing your own name inscribed on the top of it. We emphasize quality at all times. We hand-spine every rod and send back to the factory any blank that does not meet our criteria for straightness.
Now, no fly rod blank is perfectly straight. Most factories tend to try to try to hide the flaws in the blank by assembling the rod with the bends in the blank facing straight up or straight down. (When you look down at rods assembled this way, they appear to be straight but they are not.) This method of assembly can place the spine incorrectly in relation to the guides which can produce undesirable traits in casting accuracy. Using this technique can also make the sections of the rod work against each other. For the rod to flex and rebound properly, the rod's sections must work together as a whole. The spine of each rod section has an effect on subsequent sections joined to it. Good rod makers know this and test the spine of the rod at the beginning of the work, as each section is connected, and again after each section is wound , and finally after the rod is assembled as a whole.
Simply put, all of the sections must be hand spined individually and then once again after assembling two or more sections to ensure that the rod will perform correctly. It is much better to place the spine in correct alignment during construction of the rod and to live with a bit of bend in the rod. If the rod is too crooked when spined correctly, we send it back.
Are there correct alternative spining methods? Yes, but these are trade secrets that we will not discuss openly here. Suffice it to say that we know how to assemble a rod correctly for optimum fish fighting ability, distance casting, casting accuracy and a sweeter feel. Some paople think that spining is "rod building class101." While it should be, it appears that the correct way to do it is becoming a lost art.
Package Prices:
We have also expanded our line of merchandise to include the best package prices around on Lamson and Waterworks reels, Rio Lines, Chota waders and wading boots, and Fishpond products. We also sell Galvan reels but usually prefer the Lamsons due to their weight advantage and balance when placed on the newest light weight Winston BIIX or Sage Z-Axis rods. (Please review our "Package deals" page!) We are always looking to expand our offerings so it you are interested in something not listed, please drop us an email and we will see if we can help you.
We usually produce 100 custom rods per year. However, for 2008 we have lowered this to only 60 rods. If you wish to have a new rod this year, don't wait too long to place an order. It normally takes 3-8 weeks to complete your rod from time of payment. Occassionally, a rod can be obtained quicker but factory blank construction schedules and component availability from suppliers can potentially delay the process. The best time to order a rod for rapid delivery is between October 1 and Novermber 15th and between January 5th and April 1 of each year. These time periods have the shortest construction delay and the greatest availability of blanks from the factories.
"Our goal is to build heirloom quality rods and to supply related premium fly fishing products at prices at or below those found elsewhere."
R.A.Hudson, company founder and owner
Please feel free to contact us with any questions on fly fishing products. If we do not carry it, we may have a suggestion as to where you can find it. For example, we do not sell any factory assembled rods. Each of our rods are unique and custom made to your individual desires. They are one of a kind.
If you are looking for a rod that is factory made, don't mind it being made overseas, is economical, and of fairly good quality, try the following link. Tim Rajeff makes a reasonably priced product that anyone can use as either a primary or backup rod. The company is called ECHO. For the money, the Echo Classic is good. I own one myself. Tim is also highly ethical, knows what he is doing, and backs up his warranties. ECHO
Now, if you are looking for what we believe are the very finest bamboo fly rods anywhere, check out the Boo Boys at this hotlink at Sweetgrass Rods in Twin Bridges, Montana. You may have to pay $2500 or so and wait a couple of years but you will have one sweet rod.
OK now, please do yourself a favor and look at the rest of our site before linking to the other manufacturer's sites. By the way, we believe that our rod The "CreekLord" exceeds the Echo models in beauty, quality and performance (43 million modulus improved IM6 type blank), plus it includes a "U8 Struble reel seat and Struble insert", is hand spined, has super grade cork, Hopkins and Holloway double foot snake guides, fish measuring wraps, plus your name inscribed - and currently sells for only $299 plus shipping (Not much more than the Echo Classic). This rod is equal to or better than most $350+ rods and we believe it is superior to many $600+ rods. Please compare us to anyone! We think you will be impressed.
If we can help you in any way, please let us know.
Take Care and take the time to fish,
Lord of the Streams® Custom Fly Rods
