Mythbusting - Custom versus Factory Fly Rods

MYTH #1 - Custom Fly Rods Are Very Expensive.

Many people assume that having a custom fly rod built is purely a luxury item only obtainable by millionaires who spend their time on catered, guided trips to the blue ribbon streams.  This couldn't be further from the truth.  Many custom fly rod builders, including myself can create a rod built to your specifications and preferences for a price very similar to that of a factory rod built on the exact same blank.  Often times, if blanks go on sale or we are able to find one on ebay for lower than normal pricing, one can acquire a custom fly rod below the price of a factory rod at a big box store.

Custom Built Matching Grip, Reel Seat and Fighting Butt

MYTH #2 - Only Factory Rods Come With a Warranty

Wrong again.  Custom fly rod builders use the exact same blanks that the factory rods are built on. The manufacturers extend the same warranty on their blanks as they do on their finished rods.  If a manufacturer extends an unlimited lifetime warranty on their rods, this also applies to their blanks. Many other blank only manufacturers extend limited lifetime warranties on there blanks, that is to say if something breaks due to a defect in their blank, it will be replaced at no charge.  Typically this involves the end customer contacting the blank manufacturer directly and explaining it is a custom built rod.  The blank manufacturer will send the replacement blank or section to the rod builder to do the repairs.  I cannot speak for all custom builders, but in these cases, I do the repair at no charge except shipping.

Custom Reel Seat Insert and Hand Machined Hardware

MYTH#3 - High End Fly Rod Companies Produce the Best Rods

I take complete exception to this.  I have toured the factory of one of the best known fly rod companies in the world.  While their 'assemblers' are good, they are good only at repeating the same process over and over again.  Custom rod builders spend countless hours mastering their ability to make one of a kind bench built works of art, and are completely obsessed with the details and take an immense amount of pride in the work.  The components used to build factory rods are mass produced and procured at a price point based upon cost reductions and pure profits.  I, as well as most custom builders will use superior hardware.  In my case I machine my own reel seat hardware to exacting tolerances, and make my own reel seat inserts from many types of materials including exotic woods, acrylic and even elk and deer antler.  The options available on one of my fly rods are only limited by your imagination and my abilities.

Custom Grip with Hand Checkered Walnut Inlay

The next time you are in need of a new fly rod (yes, new fly rods are a need), consider contacting a Custom Fly Rod Builder.  Having a personalized, one of a kind rod built by a custom rod builder will yield one that you helped design, performs as good as any factory rod, is backed by the same warranty, and might even save you a few dollars to boot.