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.
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