This is directed at you Allen

[catskilljohn]

You and I were talking about cane salmon rods over the summer, and those Girard sticks were too old and big for my taste, so here's one a little more suited to the salmon river? 11'-3pc, spliced ferrules, hollowed, 9.5oz and tuned up with a scandi compact 420, I can hardly cast it yet but got it to 90ft so far.

Lovin this Spey stuff, CJ

 

[Broadheadscreek]

Wow! Beautiful spey rod John! And you have gotten the weight down considerably on this one. You'll have to try several different lines on this to see what it will throw the best. A good match and a little practice will have you well into the running line before you know it. Did you stabilize the cork in the reel seat or leave it be ?Awesome job can't wait to see it and cast it!

 

[CTobias]

Nice build. I have been looking at Bob Clay's cane spey rods. Wish I had an extra 3k!

 

[catskilljohn]

Allan,

The cork around the reel seat is thin, and good and saturated with glue. The butt diameter of the blank is .500, and the seat .650 so its a pretty rigid mount for the reel. I bought a Young's salmon reel, circa 1920, beautiful leaded finish and round line guard, it easily holds a couple football fields of backing plus 120ft of running line and the 34ft Scandi head.

CTobias,

I was doing quite a bit of research on Clays rods for this one, a friend of mine has a bunch of notes from Bob on splice angles, swelling the ferrule stations and hollowing. Someone even sent me the "right" tape for the binding of the ferrules. From what I have heard, if you must go bamboo [which I agree with!] and your in the market for the best 2 hander, Clay is the man.

This thing doesn't cast anything like the current action plastic Spey rods, but if you love the feel and weight of cane, not to mention the traditional importance of it, its an enjoyable stick. Thanks for the replies. CJ

 

[Broadheadscreek]

Very cool John ! Was wondering how the reel seat was finished as that area takes a lot of abuse not only while casting it but fighting a fish as well. Would love to see you take a giant steel on this ! Especially swinging one of the great old school flies you tye.

 

[Ronbo]

I got to cast John's rod at the Catskills gathering.
I am no spey guy and broke my cherry on this rod but after some quick pointers john's rod casted great.
Nothing better than getting your introduction on a beautifuly crafted Bamboo spey.
The construction and look are flawless and that reel you picked up definitely sealed the deal.
Look forward to throwing some flies on the big D with that baby.
A job well done Johnny :thumb:

 

[JeffK]

Beautiful rod! An English guy I fished with back in the day always claimed to prefer spliced rods - if he had a ghillie to splice it up.