Taper Library

Parentage was started by a Leonard #39. Evolved from there over 5-6 rods and several years. Have landed Cuts up to 19". No big fish so far

7' 9"

This is George Barnes 4 sider rod submitted to the rodmakers list. Several makers have made this quad and really like it.

This is a rod that Bernard built for me to fish the dowagiac creek behind his house. It is a sweet rod for small streams. I used this rod to catch a 29" Brown Trout on the Pere Marquette one evening with a hex fly. Cigar grip with thread wrapped up on grip. Gold wraps black tipping like was used on the 1000 series of rods from Heddon. For you tht don't know Bernard was in charge of the Bamboo rod shop at Heddon until they quit production of bamboo.

This rod is 7' 6" and throws a 5 wt. line cigar grip gold with black trip wraps. Swell begins at 77"

A good example of a quick little Banty that will t

Tip 5/64 For a DT #4 Here is a good classic wet fly taper that a real conisour of fly fishing would enjoy. It is truely a wet fly action - great for those soft hacles. Special Note on this rod/ All the snake guides on the tip are 2/0 and the mid are 1/0 with a 8 stripper on butt section. This rod will made a tuck cast very nicely and has been know to catch fish. So for those who want to explore the perusits of classis wet fly patterns and be able to fish the properly give this rod a try.

(This taper is one that was mic'd by Chris Bogart from his friends rod (J.J.). Even though I have not made this rod I understand it is sweet.) Chris --This is a taper based upon JJ's rod. Original measuremes were taken over varnish and adjusted. The rod is believed to be a Paul Young. There were several areas that I had to make interpretations of the taper and did some smoothing in hexrod to insure a good stress curve.

DT #5/6 wt line

DT #4

This is an excellent taper for a 7' 2/3 wt rod. This started out as my Shenandoah Lite and is now called "Yellow Rose". I named it after my signature fly shown on my homepare and also because I put Pink! silk wraps with yellows tipping on it (looks beautiful). I have fished this rod and it is a dream. A little longer rod that will power a 2 wt line nicely yet will cast leader only out to as far as you need to go on a mountain stream. It is as accurate as you want for a rod. The original taper given to me by Jon Parker was a one piece nodeless. I modified it and built it as a 2 piece nodeless. Chris loves the level taper on this rod.

Truncated Ferrules Tiptop 4.5 DT 2 Wt.

Tip 5/64

Here's a taper for a 9ft 8wt rod which was designed by John Bokstrom. With it I have caught many British Columbia steelhead up to 25 pounds

55 is actually a 53 station. Do not know the line weight. Joe Frost was a well known guide in the 1950's and this was a rod made to his design specifically for Taupo conditions of fairly large fish fished downstream with a fairly large lure. it was considered one of the premium rod in its time. Walker Brampton was located close to Hardy and there was some movement of craftsmen between the two firms. Measured over varnish which looked fairly consistent but a second coat had been applied. Sllow around .006. I was surprised at the inconsistency between the flats. 99" handle 1 foot upward locking reel seat.

Handle 12" uplocking reel seat. station 60 should be 58.

Posted by Reed Curry June 30 1995. varnish of .006 subtracted Butt swell not shown.

The fllowing taper is from a no-name rod that has been refinished by many hands. This is an 8" 3

Mini Metal Bamboo Ferrule System Power Fibers 13 Oct 2003 Measurements in Millimeters I will let you convert them.

DT 3

DT 3 wt

DT 4 wt

DT 4 wt

DT 3 wt

DT 3 wt

DT 4 wt

DT 4 wt

DT 3 wt

DT 4 Wt

DT 3/4 wt

Dt 4 wt

DT 3/4 wt

DT 3/4 wt

DT 4/5 wt

DT 4/5 Wt

DT 4 wt

DT 4wt

DT 5 wt

DT 5 wt

DT 5 wt

Dt 5 wt

2/3 wt

DT 4 wt

DT 4 wt

DT 5 wt

Dt #5

Dt 6 wt

DT 6wt

This is a slow full flex action of days gone by.

Part 1 of a two butt rod yes a two butt rod. Do not know the line weight just a guess. Original notes. 0 is actually 1.75 - .0705. 5 is 5.5 - .080. 10 is 10.5 - .097. The 50 station is actually a 49. The first butt measurement is not 55 but 53.

This is a staggered rod. The Ferrule is at 51 1/8. Original has 1.5 - .085. 14 - .141 16 - .150 29 - .185 40.25 - .217

Top is 52 1/8 inches long and the Butt 39.5 inches long Tip guides from top 4 9 14.75 22 30 1/8 39 48 Butt Guides from ferrule 7.5 18.75 #769

Sorry Not sure of the line weight or length this is all I have.

From the Stan Smartt Collection and had heavy varnish have already subtracted .004 the measurements. Stripper 9" down from the ferrule.

Medium Fast action rod. I also attached a photo. The hanging tag states: No. 0708 style 123 wt. 3.7oz line H.F.H. split bamboo hand made. Measured over varnish (deduct .003") guide spacing : 4 3/4

Top 5/64 Total length of reel seat and cork grip is 8 3/4 inches but they reccomend a 7 inch cork grip on the rod. HDH line recommended even though you may think it is too heavy. Butt section has one stripping guide 29 3/8 from the end and 1 snake 10 3/8 from stripping guid. Tip section 5 snake guides 9 1/4 7 7/8 7 and 6 3/8 to center from the snake guide on butt secion when rod is assembled. This is one remarkable rod.

First identified as Cross Sylph Posted by Tom Smithwick Sept 11 1996.

South Bend Single built Cross Sylph. Submitted by Bob Malucci Aug 19 1998

Danny's norwegian rod 9' 7 Wt. A hollow butt rod quite light powerful and relatively fast action but not as fast as a Dickerson 8015 guide special. # 7. It is 9' 0" Measured over relatively light varnish say .003 to .004. Section measurements averaged but variation usually within .002 Hollowed section had a diameter of .194 at the bottom of the butt about half of the total cross section

Digger 2 wt. 6'9" "Ice Cream Parlor Hole Special" Varnish is already taken off. I would ask that if you make this rod please do it only for your personal use. Although I never meet Mr Degere I have been told by excellent sources that he did not wish for his tapers to be used in any way other than for the personal use of the rodmakers themselves. I can live with that and I am sure you all can too. Thanks very much. Guide spacing: 4 8.25 14.125 20.25 26.75 34.75 2.375 9.75 17" (stripper)

In issue #32 of the planning form. Listed as a 6 wt but seems to like a 8 wt better. Designed to be built hollow.

Supplied to me by Rich Margiotta. All cork reel seat. He subtracted .004 for varnish (his tapers read station 85 as 81?).

Sweet to cast and light in hand. Also cast a 5 wt. On a stress graft looks similar to a leonard 50 df but with a stiffer tip.

Here is the taper for a 9' 3/2 Divine Special (# R5089) which works well with a #4 WF line.The rod weighs 4 7/8 oz and has a very smooth medium slow action. It makes a nice presentation at a fair distance. Steep swell

5/6 weight

Measured over original varnish. Deduct .004 inch from butt and tips for varnish. This is a nice useful short rod. May seem short but the 4 weight line is sufficient for any cast.

Posted by Tom Nigro on 22 Jan 2000 Varnish of .004 subtracted from tip and .006 from butt Butt swell not included May take a stepdown ferrule

From Howells Book. 1952 version:

Howell's book 1970 Version Guide spacing: 4 5/16 9 5/16 14 13/16 20 3/4 27 1/8 33 3/16 40 9/16 46 7/8 54 3/16 63 5/8 (stripper) Guide Sizes: 2/0 2/0 2/0 2/0 2/0 1/0 1/0 1/0 1/0 8mm Agate Stripper.

Taper supplied by Tom Fulk to Corbett Lake Rodmakers gathering in 1996.

Posted by Gary Lohkamp on Jan 15 1997

0 /11/.097/.049/34 30/5/.166/.083/0 Given in Rod inches from Tip/MHM Station/measurement/1/2 5/10/.107/.054/29 measurement/MHM dial reading. 10/9/.120/.060/23 15/8/.135/.068/15 20/7/.150/.075/8 25/6/.166/.083/0

This is a nice casting Dickerson - Taper taken from Rod owned by Dennis Higham and basic diamensions of taper confirmed by rod owned by Chris Bogart.

Powerful 5 wt that seems to be an unknown Dickerson taper. I'll post the original Mystery Rod Taper as soon as I can find it. For those who are interested here's the three piece version. It's a powerful 5 weight which will cast a whole line in the right hands. Not at all parabolic much "faster" action. Fished with it extensively this past weekend and found that the very soft tip (.051) helps me prevent breaking off the 7x tippet I found necessary for spooky fish Again thanks to Dennis Higham for sharing this taper with me!! Harry

My favorite rod that I own. A great two weight. Has a delicate 6

This Taper was provided by Ron Barch - described as a 4/5 wt Fast Action rod.

Or 3 wt

4/5 weight line

My favorite rod that I own. A great two weight. Has a delicate 6

Posted to Rodmakers by Chris McDowell. Dramatic swelled butt.Here's a taper taken without varnish from a three piece Divine 7' fly rod. Not sure of the history of this rod. The ferrules are turn of the century and the reelseat is from the 1920's. I think it is a Standard Trout special ordered in the shorter 7' length. Labels are gone. No I don't know the casting characteristics or line wt. recommendation.

Station 30 was a ferrule- The action is light and quite smooth but slow. 75 is acturally 74.

From a measured autographed line on the list serve.

Station 30 is a ferrule Station 20 had 205 which has to be a mistake. I estimated. Station 75 should be 74 where the swell begins. This is a real power rod

from Chris McDowell

from Chris Mc Dowell

Guide spacing tip: 4

I like a Wulff TT 5/6 with it. Measurements were taken over varnish so deduct .004-.005. Notice hat the butt is slightly swelled. It casts well with It casts well with

from Rich Colo

Here is the taper for the 9' Edwards Quadrate I brought to Roscoe. It is a three piece 7/8 weight. A real canon.

Impregnated and built by Sharps of Aberdeen 0 measurement is 1.25 - .086 50 is 49 .236. 52.5 is 2.48 55 is actually 57.5 - .267

The 75-inch station is a little odd because it is actually smaller than the 70-inch station. In addition Charles Ritz says in A Fly Fisher's Life that the rod was 8' 5

Taper submitted to list Dec 1997 - impregnated rod guide spacing: 4 3/4 12 1/4 19 5/8 28 7/8 37 7/8 49 1/2 and 62 1/2.

Lee Wulff Ultimate #1218 5'10 1/4" 1 5/8 oz then the Handle Handle 4" long ( true4"long !!) Reel seat cork 3 1/4"long with two aluminium sliding bands Rings spaced as follows when indexed from tiptop British HC Snakes at 4914 1/42127 34 and 44"for the Butt ring(10mm Mildrum type) Rod whipped in Royal Blue. I have cast this rod with a 5# line and I simply must have one......so much so that I have offered to The Lee Wulff Ultimate is a one piece taper.........Paul B All Lee Wulffs cane rods were impregnated

5.25 grip 3.25 seat. Needs step down ferrule. Posted by Marty DeSapio.

Just took in a 9' 6" F.E Thomas Special rod for restoring. It's a 3/2 and I guess about a 6/7 weight. 3.6" all N/S slide band reel seat and 6.5" largish torpedo grip. Measured over varnish. About a million intermediate wraps. Best looking ferrules I've ever seen sizes 19 and 13

The dimensions below are the inner circle dimensions which are the dimensions to be planed to divided by 2 of course. These will not be the dimensions you measure flat- to- point on the finished rod.. These are the working dimensions for making the rod

OK - Here is Bill Fink's penta taper. It's a 7'3" 4-5 weight. It is very crisp and accurate a wonderful DF rod. The numbers are the STRIP dimensions ie. the planing form settings. Bill built this as a one piece and I suggest you do the same if you possibly can. Can you do that on a Morgan Mill? Maybe Bill would consider running a two piece taper for the vechicle length or planing form impaired

The dimensions below are the inner circle dimensions which are the dimensions to be planed to divided by 2 of course. These will not be the dimensions you measure flat- to- point on the finished rod.. These are the working dimensions for making the rod

It is very crisp and accurate a wonderful DF rod. The numbers are the STRIP dimensions ie. the planing form settings. Bill built this as a one piece and I suggest you do the same if you possibly can. Can you do that on a Morgan Mill? Maybe Bill would consider running a two piece taper for the vechicle length or planing form impaired?

The dimensions below are the inner circle dimensions which are the dimensions to be planed to divided by 2 of course. These will not be the dimensions you measure flat- to- point on the finished rod.. These are the working dimensions for making the rod

4 tiptop

4 tiptop

4 tiptop

4 tiptop

4 tiptop

4 tiptop

4.5 tiptop

4.5 tiptop

4.5 tiptop

4.5 tiptop

5 tiptop

from George's rodmaking class. A wonderful taper. Crisp dry fly action.

8'6" for 5 wt. Varnish already deducted. Posted to list sometime back...Bob (ps. got PayPal tonight will send off CD asap probably tomorrow morning.)

This 6 1/2' gillum had near perfect (within .001") flat to flat consistancy when I miked it at Lang's.The other rods (including the 6' Gillum) I miked didn't. I already deducted .004" for varnish .Nice rod! 0-35 tip 40 begins 0 for butt. 39.5 is 165 on tip. 31.5 is the beginning of the grip on the butt.

Posted to Rodmakers by Rob Hoffhines This rod originally used a step down that was .210 at the top and 220 at the base. It is a powerful rod that will cast a 5 wt. A fast but too unyielding rod.

Taper submitted by Rob Hoffhines to rodmakers list in Jan 1998.Taper taken from original Gillum varnished subtacted and built and used by Rob. fair on the casting lawn and when you roll cast and fish it it is amazing. I really like mine a lot. Bob Maulucci have to second Bob on the Gillum 8'6" it is a fovorite here in Oregon.

Guide spacing: 5 11/16 12 3/16 19 3/16 26 5/8 34 5/8 38 7/16 48 1/2 59 1/16 Stripper at 19 1/16. Taper submitted to rodmakers Dec 1997.

Planing Form #50

Stations not mention before 42 .168 43 .206 and the swell begins at 71.5 a hair different from the taper archive. 3.25 reel seat 6.5 inch grip hammer handle

Planing Form #50

Planing Form #50 The two tapers listed in the rodmakers archives differ quite a bit form each other as well as from the one in the taper archives. As far as I know Granger only made one model of 8 1/2 footer (except for custom orders) and that was the 8642. According to Sinclair that was designated a 5 wt. I understand that their tapers did change over time or were "refined

Second tip. 0 .060 5 .078 10 .086 15 .096 20 .116 25 .126 30 .156 This rod with the heavy tip works well with a %% 5f line. Will cast a lot of line easily. The light tip is an enigma to me. I think it is for a wet fly action. It is very soft but cast a 3 wt line well at close distances.

The table below shows the numbers I took off of a W&M Granger Aristocrat GA9053. This is the heaver 9' 5-3/4 ounce version not the lighter weight GA9050 9' 5 ounce rod. The table has guide face the face to the left and the face to the right. The last column is the average. I DID NOT deduct for varnish.

Posted by Tom Smithwick May 15 1998 "A pleasant moderate action" varnish subtracted.

Reed Curry provided this taper

1 oz rod.

Posted by John Cooper June 6 1998

Posted to Rodmakers by Shawn Pineo. Made in 1950. 10.75

Ted Knott's Hardy taper. The BEST rod I casted at the Catskill Gathering and I casted a whole bunch of fantastic rods. Bob M.

Handle 10" uplocking reel.

5 3/8 11 ╜ 18 25 1/4 32 1/2 (at top end of ferrule) 36 1/4 (at bottom end of ferrule) 44 1/4 52 1/4 62 7/8 Stripping guide at 72 5/8 and tip is 52.75" (an inch too long for marked size?) The rod has a nice light feeling in hand although it was dark before I untubed it. Almost too dark to cast. I will let anyone interested know how it casts tomorrow. It felt good but I could not see the line moving. Anyone ever seen this model before? I hope to try it out this weekend on little steelies. I am afriad the agate tip top is too small for a modern line. I used a silk to test it tonight.

Several people have asked me to post the dimensions of the Hardy "Marvel" rod. Hardy listed this rod at 2 3/4 oz. and advertised it as the worlds lightest practical fishing rod. The rod has a very light full flexing action. I used a #4 line on mine. I first measured this rod in 1980 over varnish. A year later I bought the rod stripped it and remeasured over the cane. The forms I was using in those days were 6" centres before the Garrison book popularized 5" centres. Here are the dimensions.

Varnish not subtractred sections are 53" 0 is acturally 1.25 @ .093

18 Ferrule may work better. Signed 'The Fairy Rod' and was built in 1929.

this is a very specialized rod. I love it for the small overgrown streams that I made it for. Some people hate it - but usually when they try it in a parking lot or casting pond they immediately try to cast it 40 -50 feet IT WAS NOT MADE FOR THAT! This rod was made to cast less than 15 - 20 feet most of the time. The tip is soft - for short casts again - so most guys say it is too tippy. Remember what it was made for. You will need a planing form capable of doing a swelled butt between the 40 and 50 stations. I use a short 6 inch handle and regular reel seat so together they should not be longer than 9 - 10 inches. This is

Butt Swell Not shown Mo measurements between 25 and 35. Unvarnished blank. Posted by Don Burns on May 18 1998

62.25 is .269 68 is .288 This rod was measured over varnish

Tiptop 4.5 Really excellent 4 wt rod. Medium Fast action with a very pleasant feel. From the collection of Barry Ingram. 80 is actually 78 where the swell begins to .450

Posted by Don Burns May 18 1998 from an unvarnished rod.

Butt swell not shown. Also has a heavy tip not in my notes. Posted by Fritz Wiese on Oct 31 1998.

Bill Stanley Favorite Featherweight

A very rare a neat 6' Heddon. Rod has the Typical plastic reelseat but the grip has a factory installed elevated thumb rest as found on Marvin Hedges Heddon Rods. Rod is more of a miniuture trout rod than a midge rod.

A classic rod - favorite of many.

Swell begins at 89 inches .346 Designed for an HDH or E which is a 6 DT.

Unvarnished rod and averaged. Each section is 34.5 inches. Grip is 6.75 inches and reel seat 3.5

swell begins at 98 @ .344 This is orange wraps black tipping. Allow .004 on tips and .006 on mid and butt on varnish. Full wells grip bakelite reelseat. Nice slow action rod and a real pleasure to fish.

Butt swell not shown. Sumitted by Rick Crenshaw on April 13 1998

120-.5 125- .583 130- .600 131- .608 sart of the handle Varnish not subtracted

16.5" .270 start of swell 17.5" .310 start of grip 20 .310?under grip . 24.5" .310? " " " 4" grip 3" C&R seat

25 is actually a 24.5

25 is actually 24.5 rod has the quick action typical of the Hunt series but is a true 4 wt. with enough delicacy to make small fish enjoyable. A great taper (at least in my book)! The swelled butt is impossible with a standard planing form (it can be averaged)and this taper as written needs step down ferrules(which also can be averaged). Marty DeSapio

Fred's outstanding little rod - taper taken at Grayling Gathering over varnish.

TipTop #5 Swell Begins at 76 .278 at 79 it is .378

Gary I have a taper for a five foot-one weight. I've built three of these rods so far and they are a dream to fish with. I caught a thirteen inch brown with mine about a month ago. Boy what a fight. The other two that I built for a couple of older gentlemen have hooked and landed trout up to sixteen inch with there rods. This is a five foot two piece.

Tip is 36.25 But is 37 Actual measurments 0 .074 2 .079 5 .090 10 .106 15 .118 20 .134 25 .154 30 .165 34 .181 40 .184 Butt 0 .196 2 .197 5 .200 10 .213 15 .217 20 .224 25 .236 30 .238 35 .238 40 .238 Stripper 8MM 13.5. Grip starts at 29.75

Since people were requesting it figured I might as well post this to list this is the taper I used to build my dad's rod (I think I got it from an old Planing Form??) I got several others that I think were actually confused with 38L and 38H models. Leonard 38 ACM c. 1960 7'0" 2 pc 4 wt (measured over bare bamboo)

Taper taken form an excellent casting rod owned by Chris Bogart. Original rod has been shown at several rodmakers gatherings.

Here's the early 1900's 5 wt 3 pc. Leonard. If you run it through hexrod and look at the stress curve you will see a typical wet fly curve

I think the Baby Catskill Bob is talking about is the 36L. 6' 2/2 1 oz. > #1/2 line. Marty Don - To the best of my recollection it was a 4 weight but it might have been a 3 also. I never cast the rod just did some repair work and got the measurements in the process Bob This was measured over varnish a long time ago. You will have to figure out ferrule lengths as did not note them. Section length is 28 1/2" 3 3/8" reel seat .650 dia; 4 1/2" grip .700 dia at reel seat .750 in center .250 at rod shaft.

The one I miked (and own ) is quite delicate. The hanging tag states 37H (prefire). Here it is without varnish. Marty Leonard #37H 6' 2/2 #3 (will also handle a #2) 28.5" .220 start of grip

Posted by James Wilcox 16 June 1998. Varnish 0.004 subtracted. Watch for butt swell. Butt swell not shown; see documentation

Leonard 39L - 7ft 6in 4wt 2pc Posted by James Wilcox June 16 1998 Varnish of 0.004 subtracted. Butt swell not shown; see documentation.

The rod is a Leonard 8' 0

This is the ''mystery rod'' from the 1996 Grayrock gathering. Posted by Richard Tyree July 7 1996. There were 2 tips which seemed about the same so I roughly averaged the 3x2 measurements. Varnish thickness of 0.006 subtracted. The original posting has guild spacing also.

Not sure of the line weight.

See tip 1 for guide spacing and butt

Leonard blank built by Bob Taylor Guide spacing: 4 8 7/8 14 20 26 32 1/2 39 7/8 stripper 47 3/4.

This is a very light rod only 1 3/4 oz.

26.75 - .136 mid 2 inches from ferrule - .1375 26.5 mid - 205 Butt from ferrule. 1.75 - .211 18 - .281 Guide spacing Tip 4 1/8 9.75 16.25 23 1/8 Mid 1 5/8 9.25 16.75 24 5/8 Butt 6.5

An unknown Leonard model sent to rodmakers list oct 1999. A very nice casting rod that will throw a lot of line.

According to Keane in his "Classic Rods& Rodmakers" the "Fairy Catskill" appeared in 1894. It was 8'2" long and weighed 2oz and it was3 piece! The "Fairy" designation because of the extreme light weight. Devine made a "Fairy' rod also...came out in 1917. It was a 7'6

Hi all Here is the taper from a prefire Leonard that went thru my shop. Measured over varnish (deduct .003").Taper works well with non step down (super swiss)ferrules.Neat little grip. Very delicate a true 1or 2 wt. Not really a fan of 1 or 2 wt. rods but somebody must be. Guides from tip top: 5

Line one is tip line 2 is butt 35 on tip is actually 33.5 on the butt the grip begins at 25.5 with 40 as 0 @ .173 Here is #12 in the auction catalog (5 1/2' Leonard Catskill ). The rod is similar to the 6' #36L very delicate but in a shorter length which will handle a #2 line. Neat little rod for those Appalachain Brookies . 5 1/2' 2/2 #2 postfire Leonard Catskill

Hi All Here is a taper from a Leonard 36H/37H for you short rod nuts (as I am). I have seen this 6' 2pc. model marked 36H or 37H. I have been told by an ex. Leonard employee that the salesman in the retail stores would fill out the hanging tag as the rods were sold so many are mismarked. This rod was made in the 1950's and is sweet.A much nicer fishing tool than the 36L which at 1 oz is very impractical. This rod handles a #3 very nicely. .223 is at 28.75 at the beginning of the grip. 4 1/2" Grip 3 1/8" Butternut C&R seat

Leonard Tournament 8ft 3pc 3wt Posted by Chris Bogart June 29 1998 Butt swell not shown; see documentation.

I can't see how station 75 can be right. From Rod makers taper archive.

The rod likes hard stops on the casting stroke

Maulucci 7' 4 wf Quad Here's the taper for the quad I just finished. I measured with the blank assembled in case you want a one piece taper. I casts a 4 WF very nicely at 7.'

For 3/4/5 wt line. A good rolll caster Adapted from a Tand T. I keep my quads rounded on the flats to preserve the power fibers. Sands the rods by putting sandpaper on the inside of a culum piece (Tom Morgan)

From Bob Milward's Bamboo: Fact Fiction and Flyrods

Taper provided by Bob Milward to Chris Bogart - nice in either a 2 or 4 piece version . Bob says build it in a 2 piece form then just cut butt and tip in half to get a 4 piece version.

From Milward's

Taper supplied by Bob Milward to Chris Bogart.Radical step down gives tippy action. With radical step down the butt might benefit from hollow building w/o change in taper.

Station 95 is actually station #92 From Grayrock 1998. Posted by Dennis Higham on July 6 1998. ''This is a really pleasant medium action rod that you could cast all day...'' Varnish of 0.005 subtracted. Butt swell not shown; see documentation.

This is a highly specialized taper. Small creeks with brush choked banks and overhanging branches is what it was made for. Casting range is only 30 feet but it can roll cast 30 ft. It was made for casting with only a couple feet of fly line out past the tip top. Line weight is around a 4 wt. but with only a foot or so fly line out it doesn't matter what you use.

It is a monster rod.................. I caught 3 mature north coast California steelhead on my "first trip out for them It is a 2 piece 9.5 foot 8.8oz. rod. Again I ask the list if anyone has information for a tournament caster named Will Betten the only name associated with the rod. Hope this can help you big fish affectionato's............. The finish was in bad shape when I acquired it so I stripped it rewrapped new guides new grip and new reel seat. The finish is 6 coats of Behlens Tung Oil so no varnish except only on the guide wraps. Many thanks for any help..............

From Grayrock 1998. Posted by Dennis Higham on June 30 1998. ''The Dr Kim-Bob Dream Machine.'' A medium wet fly action that pretty much casts itself. Varnish of 0.005 subtracted. Butt swell not shown

Posted by Bob Nunley to Rodmakers. Only problem with this taper is fitting a cork grip to it unless you have undrilled cork pieces and make your own grips

After building and trashing 3 rods trying to get what I wanted here is y latest taper. I just finished the first "good" rod on this taper and it casts like a dream. It is a DRY FLY rod so if you like a soft tip and a strong butt give it a try when your no so busy. If you don't fab your own ferrules you could probably get by with a 10/64. The Stress curve looks a little strange on paper but it works when you put a 2 DT line and an Adams on it.

more than welcome to try one of mine. I converted my 7' 4wt and my 6' 4wt to quad but not with a direct .93 conversion... that got it close but it wasn't quite there. I tweeked it so that the progression of the conversion ranges from 93% in the tip section to 86% at the butt and the little rods casts a great line. Only problem with them is getting the cork on... as you can see the 6 footer is less than 1/4" flat to flat so you have to build to get the cork on it. I just used polyurethane glue to glue the cork on and it foamed up and filled the gaps with no problem so far. OK as it reaches 1/4 inch in the butt section where the cork rings will be mounted.

Be careful... the nature of this rod makes the dimensions very very critical. I hold yself to +- .001 on finished half diameters. Flaming this rod makes a difference. Bob Nunley.

Note: The dimensions below are my form settings and not the overall dimensions. Nothing is added for enamel or anything else on these so they are the accurate half diameters for this rod. Cut and pasted this right out of my spreadsheet for tapers so it shouldn't have any mistakes in it... If it does then they're mistakes worth keeping cause I've built a lot of this model and it cast very nice and crisp. Rod is medium fast very accurate even for me and for those of you that have seen me cast you know that is a feat in itself! :^). have fun with it.

This is a dandy little brookie or sunfish rod. Try it you'll like it.

Submitted to the Rodmakers Listserve by Chris Obuchowski

Just acquired an 8'0" 2/2 Orvis Nymph 3 3/4 oz. stated for an HFG (WF4) line. Tried a Wulff TT 4/5 on it and it is really sweet/slow/delicate. Here's the taper measured over impregnated cane so I didn't subtract anything. I averaged the three flats but there was very little flat-to-flat variation:

Orvis 6ft 6in 3pc 5wt from 1952 Posted by Tom Smithwick July 31 19996 No mention of varnish; subtracted 0.005 ''A very pleasant moderate action.'' Here it says it is 6 feet 6 inches the title had 6 feet. This is probably 6' 6" see the other 1952 orvis rod. Station 70 is acturally 68

The rod has a very pleasant moderate action. I don't know the model number but the serial number indicates it was built in 1952. The sections are 26.5 inches long so it makes a nice 3 piece pack rod. Probably the other 1952 is this rod.

No measurement on 65. It may also be a 4 wt notes have it both ways.

27 3/16 - .141 31 5/8 - .151 54.5 - .199 58.25 - .218 73 7/8 - .258 Tip Top #4

Seems a bit faster than the classic Orvis slow action. A very pleasant rod to cast and does so with authority. Tip Top 5. 1.5 - .084 10.5 - .121 34.5 - .176 44 - .188 48.5 - .212 60.25 - .256 no 65 80 is 79.25.

Orvis Battenkil 8ft 2pc 6wt Measured by Chris Wohlford. From a rod built in 1971 from an Orvis kit. I assume Chris subtracted varnish.

5/6 wt. Thought you might like to add another taper to your collection. This one is for an Orvis Battenkill Deluxe 6'-6 5/8" x 2pc x 2tip x 5/6 wt. The rod was made by Wes Jordan himself and is an impregnated rod with a cork grip where the diameter at the front is turned right down to the rod diameter and the reel seat is a standard Orvis down lock. If you plot a graph of this data you'll see two little humps in the curve typical of other Orvis rod I've checked.

I am not impressed of the workmanship the Orvis have an uneven ugly looking glue line but very little diff. from flats to flat. Looks like they use some kind of epoxy the glueline is filled with translucent glue. T&T have a finish I only could dream for on my rods at my stage but the readings differ between the flats by more mentioned on the list the other day................ Anyway here it is with section length and guidespacing:Orvis Battenkill 7/4 # 3 piece tip is 28 11/16

Not sure of length or weight. Sorry to be so long in getting back to you. Got involved with some steelheads and chinooks. A 42 inch chinook will just not be rushed. I miked two Orvis Flea rods in 1970. They tracked each other pretty well. I liked the rods so I built a few. Here are the numbers measured over varnish: The top guide was size 5 and the ferrule was size 10. Just in case anyone else might be interested I'll post this to the list. Bill

4/5 weight

1 1/2 ounce. Not sure of line weight

Not sure of the line weight. Hello Ray - I thought you might like to see another version of the Mitey Mite. I took this taper off a rod about 15 years ago.

I just ran out to the shop and measured my one piece Superfine so here are the specs.Markings on shaft above grip; "Orvis Impregnated""Superfine" 6' - 1 7/8 oz H D G (6) Marking about 18" up from grip; 4-1969 G. A. G. (the makers initials?) Guide spacing: Tiptop 5

Length is 8' 2 1/2 inches

Buttt length is 39.5 Tip length is 53. Pezon & Michel Tip 0 - 3.5" - 9.5" - 16" - 23.25" - 30.75" - 39.5" - 48.75 - Ferrule(52") Butt Ferrule (0) - 7" - 17" (stripper) - 29" (winding check) Enjoy!

Taper from George Maurer

Taper from George Maurer.

Guide Spacing: 5 1/4 10 1/2 17 1/16 23 5/17 30 1/2 37 3/4 45 3/8 53 1/8 61 1/16 and 77 1/8.

Guide spacing...tip 4 1/2 10 3/8 17 1/2 25 3/8 mid 2 1/8 10 1/8 18 1/2 26 3/4 butt 5 1/2 6 1/2 10mm I have no thoughts about the disparity of line weights in the 198 but maybe Hal Bacon will have some ideas when he gets back???stripper The Payne 198 is a 7'6

Payne 206 - 9ft 3pc 6wt Posted by John Friedman Feb 15 1995 Varnish of 0.002 subtracted.

Check out how many guides! Payne #214 7'9" 2pc. #5/6 6" cigar grip / 3 3/8" cork spacer seat (cap&ring) Guide layout (12 snakes + 1 stripper) Section Length 46 15/16" Rod will "dump" alot of line! Marty

6" cigar grip / 3 3/8" cork spacer seat (cap&ring) Measurments are without varnish. Rod will "dump" alot of line! Marty.

43-1.66 This is a rare 7'1" Payne parabolic. The rod is interesting in that the tip top dimension is a scant .054 yet the 05 is a beefy .084. I guess it has to be that way to be Parabolic as my definition of a para taper is thin but/heavy tip. I guess Jim wanted to have a fine tip to protect the fine tippets rather than countin on the para action ofr protection. In the hand the rod feels semi-parabolic and is very seet acton for a #4 line. I measured the rod without varnish..

4 oz. Parabolic 6/7 wt. Both sections are 46.5" 1/2" from cork .345

Here's the Payne 95. I got this from Carlos Santos about three years ago. Carlos measures a rod with the tip of each section = to zero rather than in 5" increments with the rod assembled.The rod was measured over varnish. I've not built this so I have no opinion as to its action. The Payne catalogs only describe it as a 6' DT3 or 4 wt.

5" cigar grip and 4" reel seat cork. The taper was provided me months ago by Rich Colo taken from a rod he woned. The provided guide spacing didn't seem to add up for me but I tried to figure it out as best I could. I assume the numbers are over varnish but don't know. Some numbers are extralated because of the guides.`I'd use .312 for the last 3 inces of the but but hey that's me. M-D

Taper from Dennis Higham on unvarnished rod. Tip Top #4

Supplied to Rodmaker's Listserve by Ted Knott

Taper from Ron Barch. Station 42 is .174 on the tip and .190 on butt.

from Hal Bacon posted to Rodmakers 43

from Hal Bacon to Rodmakers

from Hal Bacon to Rodmakers

from Hal Bacon to Rodmakers List

Posted to Rodmakers by Mark Lee MD. This is a staggered ferrule parabolic butt is 39.5 and tip is 53

Tip is 52

Tip is 40.75

The length is 8' 2 1/2 inches. Parabolic.

Posted by Martin DeSapio to Rodmakers (Yes the flat dimensions are the same in the butt at 5

105 is acturally 102. Pezon & Michel - 9ft 6in 3pc 8wt salmon rod. Posted by Tom Smithwick on April 3 1998. From and unvarnished rod. "The action of this rod is slow and it is as comfortable to cast as a cane rod of this size and line weight can be.'' Butt swell not shown

Posted by Rick Crenshaw to Rodmakers. Has dramatic swelled butt not figured into taper numbers.

Impregnated rod posted by Chris McDowell to Rodmakers.

Phillipson Peerless 7ft 3.5oz 5wt Impregnated. This is a windstick. Great for throwing #2 4xl hex dries; but very fast action. Phillipson Peerless 7ft 3.5oz 5wt Impregnated. This is a windstick. Great for throwing #2 4xl hex dries; but very fast action

75 is correct. Dave and Christian Here is the taper for the Phillipson Smuggler. The measurements do NOT have the deduction for varnish. The condition of the rod is excellent with the varnish at full thickness. IMHO this rod casts a 6 wgt at medium to long distance very nicely. Not that great when in close. Minus 25 feet. Maybe would be better with a 7 wgt for in close. I hope this helps. Ron Huff

Measurements are taken from the bare cane at the tip top in the noted measurements. the grip to end of the reel seat is 10.75" long and there is no. winding check.

Paul Young Boat Rod - 8ft 6wt 2pc Posted by Rob Hoffhines Aug 18 1988 ''A strong butted 8ft 6wt. Contrasts the para15 nicely in the Young lineup.'' From an unvarnished rod.

Taper supplied by Tom Smithwick to rodmakers list in May 1997 on the version that he built.

This is the rod known in the archives as ''JJ's Rod''. See posting by Reed Curry of Jne 25 1995 and also by Chris Bogart on June 2 1998.

Orginal Taper taken by Tom Smithwick over varnish of .006 - .008 and taper stations at 30 and 60 were extrapolated from measurements.

Young Midge - 6ft 3in 3pc 4wt A classic. From an unknown source. There are other recipies for this rod inc circulation which are quite different.

Taper from George Maurer.

Light tip 1-.073 5-.087 10-.107 15-.123 20-.138 25-.157 30-.170 35-.190 40-.208 45-.225 50-.24 This is a love it or hate it rod. I like the light tip better with a 6 and the heavy with an 8. I am not in the love it camp. David H. Ray David Maxie change that turned this rod into a great 6 wt. 0-.062 5-.078 10-.098 15-.116 20-.132 25-.150 30-.168 35-.188 40-.206 35-.224 50-.240

A good steelhead and salmon rod as well as a good bass rod. Taper supplied by Wayne Cattanach to rodmakers list Nov 1997.

Taper supplied by Tom Smithwick - version made by Jeff Wagner and published in TOF #41. An impressive rod.

This is from the original 7/49 version of the rod as posted by Wayne Cattanach Oct 7 1996. I hope I interpreted the numbers correct; it seems like the taper ''stops'' a long way in front of the grip.

Taper from George Maurer.

Tip top is No. 4 Guide spacing - 5 10 5/8 17 1/8 24 1/2 32 3/8 40 5/8 49 57 1/2 67 1/16 Mic'd from original PHY Perfectionist by Richard Tyree

Hi All This rod was built in 1958. According to Martin Kean's book records show only 22 of this model were made. Unusual taper in that the first 10 inches of the butt section are flat and then becomes very steep. Rod is marked HDH (6) line but I feel casts best with a DT-5. Rod has a typical PHY medium to medium fast action . Rod has duel alum. slide bands Super Z ferrules stripper is a snake guide. Guide Spacing- Tip 4 1/2

Anyway I used an oversized ferrule padding the gaps with slips of wood and turning down to size. I just lightly broke the corners of the quad section. This rod is nodeless with the splices glued with resourcinal. As mentioned in the presentation Titebond does not seem strong enough for splices in two strip construction. The rod is actually a bit quicker than I expected. It may have something to do with the very dense leftover butt section pieces I used for material. The taper itself is an adaptation of a version of the Young midge I measured a long time ago. 6'3" 4 weight but may like a 5 better in close. This one had a ferrule

impregnated rod ? no varnish . This is a very solid rod may be suitable for salt water but may be a little heavy . handle 1'4" long .

Rod is 5'10 1/4" @1 5/8 oz. The taper here is an EXACT COPY of that used by Sharpe to roduce the Lee Wulfe Ultimate and has been copied from an original taper sheet (copied) that I have that was signed by Sharpe himself. 0 .080 17.5 .1275 35 .175 52.5 .2225 70 .270 The taper is not at the usual 5" or 6" stations but taken from the rig they used to set up their miller.

and then it's the handle.......Handle and Reel Seat total length 7 1/4 " ( thats correct 7 1/4 " ! ) Length of handle 4" and shaped like a miniature Orvis Superfine grip ranging from .453" at the front of the handle to .748" at the rear. Length of reel seat 3 1/4" parallel cork of .410" diameter with a flared /fish tail shaped end and fitted with two miniature aluminium sliding bands each 1/8" wide with a tiny aluminium end cap at the end of the reel seat (to prevent cork wear when resting the rod on the ground ........) The rod the above dimensions were extracted Listed as a 4/5/6/7 weight rod.

Not sure of the line weight

From the collection of and built and designed by Stan Smartt measurements were taken over one coat of varnish probably less than .001 so disregard is suggested. A very light delicate rod with surprising power. Have witnessed Stan casting the rod with DT-3f and a #10 popper an honest 60' (measured the line) into a light breeze. Tip Top #4

A very great rod based on a Lenard Taper

One of the rods Stan Smartt used in his rod classes. Half sizes given

from the Planing Form newsletter. Tom fishes a 5 wt for small streams and a 4 wt. for larger ones. He also recommends the TT 4/5.

Tom Smithwick's taper for his spiral constructed rod sent to rodmakers list in Jun 1999.

Sorry notes do not tell rod length number of pieces or line weight. This is all I have.

It's a 7-1/2' 2/2. The label says the line wt. is E or HDH. I've used a DT5 and a WF6.

Here is the taper that I promised for the South Bend Cross Model 1927 Light Salmon Rod. It gave me something to do with the wonderful new digital Mitutoyo caliper I recieved today. I must say that I was duly impressed with the dimensions/tolerances on the tip and mid section of this rod. They were almost always dead on. The butt was a bit off and these are averages of the flats. 9'6" with 6" fighting butt (10' with fighting butt) No Varnish. The grip is 7.25" and the reel seat 3.75." This is a pretty stiff and heavy rod. I am going to give it a shot as a two handed rod as soon as I re-wrap it. It is a bit heavy for single hand overhead casting.

Tip 2 .078 .90 .98 .110 .129 .143 .156 .167 .181

80 is .279 80.5 is .360 The measurement is the average between the three flats. I believe You Tony will like the Caenis. It has an action very much like my Perfectionist maybe a little softer...... That is based on my wee-wing the stick in the living room:-))) T&T Caenis 7'6" #3 2 piece (VARNISH NOT SUBTRACTED) Guidespacing from tip:5 1/4 11 1/4 17 3/4 24 3/4 32 3/4 41 1/4 51 1/4 and 62 1/2 You need special equipment to manage this its laying beside the butt I have made (F.E. Thomas 7" #3)

F.E. Thomas - 8ft 3pc 5wt. Posted by Dennis Higham on July 6 1998 From a rod owned by Reed Curry and cast at Grayrock 1998. Varnish of 0.005 subtracted

Hollow Butt? Tip #2 6-.09 10-100 15-124 20.5-148 25-154 30-163 35-184 36.5-186

F.E. Thomas Dirigo 9ft 3pc 6wt Posted by Reed Curry Feb 3 1995. Varnish of 0.001 subtracted.

Med. Fast Dry Fly (great action!) Measured over varnish deduct .003". Guide spacing from TT. 5

0 is actually a -2 @ .080 this taper was given backwards. This is the powerhouse rod that Marty Keane speaks so foundly about in his book that he devotes 1 1/2 pages to this rod. This has a half Wells Grip and is a 6 oz rod. Darrell Lee. The tip is 1/2 inch short.

Also try a 3 wt.

A rod with more speed and power than the Garrison tapers

#5 Tip top Rod is a 4/5 wt.

Tip Top 5

"The Bill Waara" This is the rod as listed in the planing form by John Long. This is a "western style" dry fly rod. To me it makes a better 6wt. I would also use a 14/64 ferrule because the dia at the ferrule is just a hair over. guide spacing-rod assembled: tip 4" 8.5" 14" 20" 27" 34" 42" ferrule 51" 61.5"

Started as Dickerson 7612 with a few changes

Tip: 0-.034 5-.0405 10-.0465 15-.053 20-.060 25-.0665 30-.0735 32-.0765 Mid: 0-.0765 5-.0835 10-.091 15-.0985 20-.1065 25-.115 30-.123 32-.126 Butt: 0-.126 5-.1345 10-.142 15-.1505 20-.168 25-.180 30-.180 32-.180 These must be half measurements ferrules truncated. From a Dickerson 7612. Also casts a 3 wt quite well.

Modified Dickerson 7012 a gentle 7' wt.

Designed for salmon fishin in Alaska. It is a modified Dickerson 8615 7wt. Each section is 34.5 inches.

Rod was originally built for Norm Thompson in 1965. Steven Weiss duplicated this rod for Mr. Thompson but didn't hollow build it. Steven says it only weighs 1/4 ounce more than the original and is somewhat faster than the original (because of not hollow building). Original rod had a revers half wells grip that flows into the cork reel seat.