Parker Tribute rod finished

[Richard Flanders]

I find a big difference in how a DT vs a WF line works. The WF will cast into the wind better but you have to have a shorter and heavier leader to keep up with it or it will fall short. A WF also throws larger flies or streamers better, but once again a different leader may be required. I like DT lines for light rods and a delicate presentation of small slized dry flies and small nymphs. I'm using a 1.75oz 00-wt Sage and a 1-3/8oz 1-wt Orvis up here for grayling and find there is no way I can get a large nymph or streamer out with my long 4x-tipped leaders, especially if the wind is against me. Put a #18 dry on and they go out like magic, even doing a roll. Soooo fun! At my most recently discovered grayling 'hawg hole' I was using the 1-wt and had to stand in the river with brush on both sides. All I could do was flip then side cast a small nymph out into the current, roll it a few times to get some line out then just let the current take while I madly stripped line out.... all the way to the backing, then all the way to the knot. The nymph would swing into the long eddy hole along the river bank and I'd start slowly bringing it in and, almost without fail, a nice fat and colorful 15-17in grayling would grab it and I'd have all my line out and a long fight to bring them to hand. It was very fun in a current that strong with a rod that light. I have a DT line on all my reels save for one 5-wt that casts into the wind like a rocket when needed. Seems that DT lines have fallen out of favor and have my own opinions as to why. I prefer DT for most of my fly fishing and don't see any reason to change.

Dave that rod is absolutely gorgeous. What a great project.

[Austin W Hogan]

Here is the horses mouth from Batard Sturgis 1935. WF lines were not around then but it shows DT - Level size relation. He also shows the method of getting the 1/7 bend ratio

Best, Austin

[Rod N. Gunn]

I think Rich summed up the DT vs WF contrast very well. With bamboo I tend to prefer DT and I prefer bamboo for dry flies. Fishing under water I like a long graphite rod with WF line. But when it comes to craftsmanship, handling, and looks there's nothing like bamboo... its kind of like comparing a Benelli to a Parker.

[Jerry Andrews]

From one bamboo fly rod maker to another, the work is exquisite! Nice job! Jake

[Austin W Hogan]

My experience is a bit different. The inherent slowness of a bamboo rod, and its necessity to flex from tip to butt provides the sustained lift necessary to cast a sinking line. My streamer rod is an Orvis GBF which certainly does this well, but with a lot of weight penalty.It really worked well on the Ausable, East and West Canada in the Adirondacks when I lived and worked there, but I have never used it here in NH.
The "big" NH streams I fish, primarily the Ammonoosuc and the Sugar River, might best be considered 3 or more small streams separated by boulders, flowing in a single channel. The old Orvis "Nymph" rod in bamboo or fibreglas really works well here with a sink tip WF FEG. Ten feet is a long float for a dry in this turbulent water, and I use the same sink tip wet or dry. Although the water is extremely clear, it is turbulent and full of bubbles; I find 6 feet of leader to be plenty, but the 8 or 8 1/2 feet of rod help mend the line through these currents.
I have an Orvis "99" HDH 7 1/2 foot dry fly rod made before WF lines. I don't find much use for it on streams here, but it is fun tossing big dries with it while drifting in the canoe on Profile Lake.
Best, Austin

[Lee St.Clair]

Very nice Mr. Fuller. Thank you for sharing. May you be blessed with much peaceful fishing time for your craftsmanship and passion.

[Jerry Andrews]

I started using silk on the rods I made years ago, many Ebay purchases, cleaned the lines, revarnished, $50.00 or so, then bought 4 of the Phoenix silk lines, really nice lines. I just can't go back to poly lines or poly rods. I probably have more requests from customers for a Dickerson 8013 or Garrison 209E for small/mid streams than any other rod, and a 8015 Guide Special for steelhead. Those 3 rods I make more than any others by far. When it comes to a 7 1/2 fter, then the Dickerson 7013 or 14 seems to be the most requested. I make and sell about 30 rods a year along withe the repair service on the double guns. It keeps a guy hopping. Jake www.AndrewsCaneRods.com

[Dean Romig]

Wonderful work Dave... very cool rod.

[Rod N. Gunn]

I received a number of PMs about this rod. In response let me throw this out, and I don't have a profit motive here, I can have a few of these made up by Bellingers (I don't have time). I have a few of the Parker-stock real seats left we could install on them. If anyone wants a custom version of this rod made by a fine rod maker PM me we can make a couple more. This is not a sales job, just responding to questions.