A Few Pics of Harriman State Park

These were all taken at Harriman State Park. This moose calf and its mother were regulars outside our cabin in the mornings.

Fishing on the Ranch

Here are a couple of pics of myself fishing on the Harriman Ranch. Pictures are by Yudai.

Akimaru and the Bamboo Rod Ferrule

While on my trip to the Henry's Fork I was able to spend a lot of time with Japanese builder Akimaru. For those that don't know who he is, he is very well known in Japan. He has written numerous books about fly fishing. I believe this was his 32nd year coming to America to fish the Henry's Fork. Aki is well known for going around Japan telling the fly fisherman about the Henry's Fork and what a "Holy Grail" it is. He also runs a school to teach others how to build bamboo rods. My last post talked about one of his student's Masa. One of the requirements to graduate from his school is that the student has to come to America with him and catch a 20" trout on a rod that they have built.
Last year he introduced a bamboo ferrule for his rods. To say its simple and sleek is an understatement. While he was here this summer he delivered several of these rods to customers fishing the Henry's Fork. These rods received glowing reviews from their new owners. These rods aren't for the "light in the wallet" customers if you know what I mean.
He is currently working on a 3 piece version of this rod. Aki had the prototype with him on this trip and it was a stellar rod. In the first picture Aki is casting a Carpenter Bros. 8'3" 4 weight quad while we were staying at the Harriman Ranch.

A New Rod for Me

I still like to get new bamboo fly rods. I acquired a new rod this summer on my trip to the Henry's Fork. My friend and fellow rod maker Masaki Ishizeki makes rods under the Genten name in Japan. He is one of the few builders that make rods out of Watake instead of Tonkin cane. I wouldn't say Watake is better than Tonkin, but just different. It provides the material to make a full flexing rod, yet light and responsive.

The rod I received was a Claymore X. It was an 8' 4 weight. This is Maza's most popular rod here in America. He sold several of them last year at our Henry's Fork gathering and also this year. One thing that I was very impressed with on his rods was his new carbon fiber ferrules. Mine were large and unattractive, while his were small and stunning. He only charges an extra $100 for that option, which here in the US would probably be a major up-charge.

My rod is the top rod in the bottom photograph. The lower rod is that of another Japanese builder Yudai Mochizuki.

www.genten-rod.com

2 Quads that went out the door

Here are some pics of two quads that went out the door a few weeks back. They are hollow built and weigh right at 3.1 oz.

Just Returned

I just returned from a Month fishing the Henry's Fork area. I have a lot of stories and pictures to share. I will be describing them all on here over the next few weeks.

The couple of pics I am showing here are of myself fishing my 8'1" 4 weight. This is quickly becoming my go to rod, at least this rod was until I sold it to another fisherman. I plan on making a large lot of these rods this fall. I have posted this picture of me with a 21" rainbow near the Pinehaven subdivision. This area lies right below the Harriman ranch and holds some big fish. I caught two fish over 20" that afternoon and the rod did superb. One thing I want you to notice is the even bend throughout the rod. In some rods there will be one area that breaks down more than another. The bend in this taper is even through out.

I still have a couple of 8'3" 4 weight quads that are available to sell. These are hollow built rods that weigh right around 3.10 oz. That is very light for a rod that length.