As a professional cane rod builder, it has always been my goal to build top quality rods at a reasonable price. This is achieved, not through diminished attention to detail, but through hard work and careful consideration at each step of the construction process. Beyond the obvious signs of quality in an A.J. Thramer rod, smooth varnish, tight guide wraps and a velvety ferrule fit, I also have carefully considered every aspect of rod construction with an eye toward durability and service life. I believe that these hidden details of rod construction gained through two and a half decades of experience separate the professionally built A.J. Thramer rod from the many other rods currently available.
I offer a wide variety of rods and models that will fulfill almost every fly fisherman’s need. All of my rods are supplied with two tips, partitioned cloth bag, hang tag and aluminum tube.
"All of A. J’s efforts produce very handsome results...rods that anyone would be proud just to own and show off...but, A.J. insists that his rods are practical fishing tools that are really meant for fishing, not just admiring. He maintains that the greatest pleasure he derives from building these exquisite works of art, is that people do use and enjoy them for the purpose for which they were intended."
Grouse Creek Series
$795.00
These swelled butt, solid built rods, are based on my popular DX tapers. Designed at the outset to be easy casting, accurate and able to handle both dry flies and nymphs these are my most requested custom order rod. In production for twenty years, these rods have elicited rave reviews from anglers new to bamboo and veterans alike.
The Grouse Creek rods feature a flamed finish, bright ferrules and nickel silver slide band hardware over a walnut filer, wrapped in either dark maroon or black and orange jasper, a half wells grip and come with a bag, hanging tag and aluminum tube.
Models: All 2 pc. only: 7’ ~ 4wt, 7 ½’ ~ 4wt, 7 ½’ ~ 5wt, 8' ~ 5wt
Salmon Creek Series
*Hollow Built* $1195.00
These hollow built, Granger taper rods are the ultimate evolution of these versatile and much loved tapers. The combination of replacing the full nickel silver screw lock. reel seat with a sliding hand reel seat saves at least ¾ oz even before hollow building. The hollow building process reduced the weight even further and adds the benefits of reduced casting fatigue and a new ability to cast both short and reach out much further than the original solid built tapers. The Salmon Creek rods are of flamed care, bright ferrules and hardware over a figured Koa Wood filler, a half wells grip and are wrapped in any of the main colors of the original Grangers: Granger Green, Gold, Black & White Jasper, Black & Orange Jasper and Tan (shown below).
Models: 2 pc: 7’0" ~ 4 wt. 3pc: 7'6" ~ 5 wt , 8'0" ~ 5 wt, 8'6" ~ 5wt.
CLASSIC TAPER SERIES
This carefully researched series of rods was my response to the ever dwindling and aging supply of originals. Not simply “internet” tapers, each rod has been carefully researched and vetted to insure the “feel” of the original. I have found that each maker had a “key” or a characteristic in their rod’s construction, the inclusion of that characteristic was essential to reproduce the feel of the original rod. The numerous Models in this series are each aesthetically suggestive of and built to the exact tapers of the original parent rods they are derived from.
Following the all important work on the tapering and ferruling of each model, it is then finished out to be cosmetically similar, but not identical, to the original rod.
Dickerson Taper Rods
Dickerson 2pc rods are all quick, responsive and easy to use. The 3pc rods are slower and fuller working rods similar to Payne and Leonard.
Blond cane, down locking aluminum reel seat (rods 7ft and under use NS slide band hardware) with a walnut filler, blued Leonard type ferrules, cigar grip, and wrapped in clear cinnamon silk tipped black.
2 piece rods: Models 6611 - 6'6" #3/4, 7012 - 7'0" #4, 7612 - 7'6" #4, 8013 - 8'0" #4,
3piece rods: Models 761510 - 7'6" #5, 801510 - 8'0" #5, 861711 - 8'6" #6
Dickerson Taper rods are available as a solid built for $995.00 or as a hollow built for $1295.00
Edwards Taper Rods
Fly Fishermen who prefer a faster action and dry fly style of bamboo rod taper have gravitated to the creations of the Edwards family for over a century. These masters of the Catskill school of rod building produced a fine tipped, delicate action trout rod that has delighted anglers for decades with their unique ability to control and deliver spot-on, accurate casts. Famous for their quick responsive dry fly tapers, these rods will not disappoint.
Lt flamed cane, blues special Edwards style ferrules, bright slide band hardware over walnut filler, wrapped in golden brow tipped gold or purple tipped gold
2 pc. rods -- 7'6"~ #4, 7'6"~ #5
3 pc. rods -- 7'6" ~ #5, 8'0" ~ #5
Edwards taper rods are available as a solid-built 2-pc. rod for $995.00, solid-built 3pc. rod for $1095 or as hollow-built 2pc rod for $1295.00, hollow-built 3 pc rod for $1395.00
Garrison Taper Rods
Smooth and full flexing, these are a gentle type of parabolic action rod. The power in these rods is not immediately obvious, but is there.
Blond cane, bright swiss ferrules, unique Garrison slide band reel seat hardware (available in all cork or ½ cork, ½ walnut) and grip are faithfully reproduced. Wrapped in clear silk with brown trim, including the red and green trim at the tip tops.
2 piece rods -- Model 201e - 7'0" #4, 204e - 7'3" #5, 206e - 7'6" #5, 209c - 7'9" #5, 212e - 8'0' #6
Garrison Taper rods are available as a solid built rod for $995.00
H. S. Gillum Taper Rods
Quick, fast, powerful. The ‘Gillum’ feel is unique. The 8wt salmon rod is a favorite among steel headers and salmon fishermen in the Pacific Northwest. The smaller rods exhibit the same power as the larger cousin but with the trout fisherman in mind. These rods are very well suited to the hollow building process.
Flamed cane, wrapped in bronze silk and the unique Gillum triple tipping at the grip and male ferrules, up locking reelseat(7ft and under are a down lock slide band) over a genuine African mahogany filler, blued Leonard type ferrules and a reverse half wells grip (cigar with the slide band).
2pc Models – 6'0"~ 4wt, 6'6"~ 4wt, 7'6"~ 5wt, 8'0" ~ 6wt
3 pc Models– 7'0" ~ 4/5wt, 7'6" ~ 4/5wt, 7'9" ~ 5wt, 8'0" ~ 5/6wt, 8'6"~ 6wt**, 8'9" ~ 8wt**
Gillum Taper rods are available as a solid-built 2-pc. rod for $995.00, solid-built 3pc. rod for $1095 or as hollow-built 2pc rod for $1295.00, hollow-built 3 pc rod for $1395.00. The rods marked (**) are ONLY available as a hollow built rod.
Heddon Taper Rods
Hugely underestimated tapers, these rods exhibit all of the complexity and capability of any set of tapers ever designed.
Flamed cane finished out as an early 30’s President model with dark antique gold silk with green tipping, a blued nickel silver slide band over a Circassian walnut filler, tear drop grip and blued Leonard style ferrules.
2pc. Heddon Featherweight Rods... 6'0" 00F 3wt... 6'6" 0-1/2F 3/4wt...
7'0" 0-1/2F 3/4wt... 7'6" 0-3/4F 4/5wt... 8'0" 0F 5wt.
3pc. Extra Lite Series... 7'0" 1F 4wt... 7'6" 1-1/2F 5wt... 8'0" 1-1/2F 5wt.
Heddon taper rods are available as a solid-built 2-pc. rod for $995.00, solid-built 3pc. rod for $1095.
Leonard Taper Rods
The classic Catskill feel rod, light tipped, strong butt and a brisk in hand feel. All are available in two different models:
Classic Pattern Leonard - Blond cane, classic clear red wraps with black trim, bright ferrules and reel seat hardware over a butternut filler.
Hunt Pattern Leonard - Flamed cane, clear dark red wraps trimmed in black, blued ferrules and reel seat hardware over a walnut filler
2 pc rods -- Models 37H - 6'6" #3/4, 38H - 7'0" #4, 39DF - 7'6" #5, 40DF- 8'0" #5/6
3 pc rods -- Models 49DF - 7'6" #5, 50DF - 8'0" #5/6, 50-1/2DF - 8'6" #6.
Leonard Taper rods are available as a solid-built 2-pc. rod for $995.00, solid-built 3pc. rod for $1095 or as hollow-built 2pc rod for $1295.00, hollow-built 3 pc rod for $1395.00.
Classic Catskill Pattern Leonard
Hunt Pattern Leonard
Payne Taper Rods
Smooth, medium fast, full working tapers, these rods are a perennial favorite
Flamed cane, wrapped in medium brown tipped yellow, either a reverse half wells grip with an up locking screw lock hardware or a cigar grip and blued slide band hardware over either Spanish cedar or walnut, the ferrules are blued Leonard style.
2 piece rods --- Models: 96~6'6" #4, 97~7'0" #3/4, 98~7'0" #4,
100~7'6" #4, 101~7'6" #5, 102L~ 8'0" #4
3 piece rods --- Models: 196~7'0" #4, 197~7'6" #4, 198~7'6" #5, 200L~8'0" #4, 200~8'0' #4/5, 201~8'0 #6
Models: 204L~8'6" #4/5, Canadian Canoe~8'6" #7/8.
Payne taper rods are available as a solid-built 2-pc. rod for $995.00, solid-built 3pc. rod for $1095 or as hollow-built 2pc rod for $1295.00, hollow-built 3 pc rod for $1395.00
E. C. Powell Rod Tapers
*All of these rods are hollow built* These fabulous Marysville built fly rods have always been Hollow Built and in that tradition are offered here only in that construction design.
Smooth, lightweight, reserve power, casting ease. These rods were made for fishing performance.
Lt Flamed cane, wrapped in antique gold with intermediate winds, full wells grip, screw lock hardware with an ebony filler
2 pc. rod Models: 7'6" ~ #4, 8'0" ~ #4, 8'0" ~ #5, 8'6" ~ #5
All Powell taper rods are $1295.00
F. E. Thomas Taper Rods
A favorite of many of the old timers, these rods combine many of the best features of both Payne and Leonard tapers. In addition to the outstanding fishing characteristics of all FE Thomas rods, they are, in my opinion, the best 3wt rods ever designed. Available in two models,
Browntone - Flamed cane, blued Leonard style ferrules, screw lock hardware and a Thomas fishtail grip or blued slide band and a cigar grip over a walnut filler, wrapped in dark fiery brown silk with red trim at the grip.
Special - Blond cane, bright ferrules, bright hardware over a butternut filler, wrapped in medium brown
2pc Models – 6'8" Fairy - 3wt, 7 '6"- 4wt, 8'0" - 5wt
3pc Models – 7'6" - 3wt, 8'0" - 4wt, 9'0" Streamer - 7wt**
Thomas Taper rods are available as a solid-built 2-pc. rod for $995.00, solid-built 3pc. rod for $1095 or as hollow-built 2pc rod for $1295.00, hollow-built 3-pc. rod for $1395.00. The Streamer is ONLY available as hollow built model.
Paul Young Taper Rods
Singular in their design, Young taper rods were made for fishing performance and versatility. The Para series of rods work ell into the butt, the cork grip often moving slightly under the anglers hand. The ‘named’ rods are a bit faster and less parabolic, they are easier to master than the often difficult timing of the Para series of rods. Many, once picking up a Young taper rod never fish anything else.
Flamed cane, cork filler with anodized black hardware, either screw lock or slide band, half wells grip, blued Swiss ferrules, wrapped in either black, spice tan or dark antique gold.
All are 2 pc rods
Para series – Para 14 ~ 7'9" 4/5wt, Para 15 ~ 8'0" 5/6wt. (supplied with a wet and dry tip), Para 16 ~ 8'6" 6wt...
Named rods – Midge ~ 6'3" 4wt, Driggs ~ 7'2" 5wt, Perfectionist ~ 7'6" 4wt, Martha Marie ~ 7'6" 5wt.
All Young taper rods are available only in solid configuration for $995.00
SIGNATURE SERIES
Hollow Built Fly Rods
These tapers are my proprietary tapers that have been specifically designed to maximize the advantages of hollow built rod construction. They are a versatile Classic Medium Action, well adapted for dry fly and nymph use and will cast short or long as the situation requires due to the unique advantages of hollow built construction. From tip to butt, these rods have been designed for maximum utility and fishing characteristics.
Flamed cane, blued slide band or aluminum screw lock hardware over a tiger striped Koa wood filler, a half wells grip, agate stripping guide and wrapped in copper bronze and tipped in red with a hook-keeper.
"The process of hollow building cane rods is even more time consuming as it requires additional building steps overlooked in standard-built rods. Some might question the reason for this extra work! Is it really necessary? What gains are made by employing the technique?
Well,. the short answer is: INCREASED POWER TO WEIGHT RATIO...that age old parameter that always drives fly rod performance! Put simply, reduce the rods weight without reducing the rod's strength and you have performance standards simply unavailable in conventionally built rods. That translates into smoother, more accurate casts, better sensitivity and better in-hand feel, exactly the reasons why we buy Bamboo fly rods in the first place!"...Len Codella
2pc Models – 7'0"~ 4wt, 7'6" ~ 4wt, 7'6" ~ 5wt, 7'9" ~ 4wt, 8'0" ~ 4wt, 8'0" - 5wt, 8'0" ~ 6wt
3pc Models– 7½'~4wt, 7½'~5wt, 8'~4wt, 8'~5wt, 8½'~5wt, 8½'~6wt, **8½'~7/8wt, **9'~7/8wt
** (These Salmon/Steelhead/Streamer Models are wrapped in Copper-Bronze tipped Black, with two Carbaloy Strippers, Up-locking Seat, Full-Wells grip and Hook-keeper.)
The following rods available in the Classic Medium-Fast Dry Fly Action: These magnificent feeling rods are built to a proprietary taper uniquely designed by A.J. to produce a rod that is quick and crisp without feeling 'heavy or clunky" in the hand. In addition they are designed to cast short and still be able to reach out for the long cast when required. In A.J.'s own words..."They put a smile on my face after six months of tinkering". They truly move the performance benchmark up a few notches to a level matched only by a very select few other makers rods.
These rods are wrapped in copper bronze tipped gold with a half-wells grip, down-locking seat and hook-keeper
2pc Models - 6'6"~4wt, 7'0"~4wt, 7'6"~4wt, 7'6"~5wt. 8'0"~4wt, 8'0"~5wt.
Signature Series rods are only available as hollow-built 2pc rod for $1295.00 or hollow-built 3 pc rod for $1395.00