About Davis Custom Tackle
Many people have asked me why I build cane fly rods. The answer is easy for me, but
usually hard for the individual to understand. “I guess I just fell in love with the process”
I answer. Hmmm… fell in love with measuring down to a thousandth of an inch, standing in front
of a lathe for hours, wrapping tiny threads until your head hurts? As strange as it sounds, yes.
I began building rods several years ago on graphite and fiberglass blanks when a good friend
introduced me to the ‘hobby’. While I enjoyed building on modern blanks, there always seemed
to be something missing. It was as if I were an assembler of parts and created something from
someone else’s vision, not my own.
Now there is nothing wrong with modern rod blanks.
Quite the contrary, modern blanks are extraordinary pieces of technology.
However, there is great gratification that comes from taking pieces of raw material, working it
through a process that can take many hours, and creating something both beautiful and
functional. I build truly custom cane fly rods, one at a time, by hand. There is no such
thing as a production run or a standard build in my shop. Sure, I have my favorite tapers
and fittings, but that may not be the right rod for you. So, what makes the 'right' rod? I'll
echo a quote from somewhere in the early days of the rod building profession – “The one that
feels the best to you.” Rods are very personal things to most fly fishermen (and women). When
you hold a rod in your hand that looks beautiful, feels good to you, and meets the task you pursue,
that’s the right rod. I work closely with the customer both before and during the process to
assure I do everything I can to make the ‘right’ rod for them. Each rod I make is individual
too me. Each develops its own personality during the process. No, I’m no Payne or
Leonard and never will be. I build the best rods I can in both function and aesthetics.
Why? “I guess I just fell in love with the process.” This is my philosophy and how
I build rods - one at a time, to the order of the fly fisher; your rod, your way,
my pleasure. -Buddy Davis
If you would like information about pricing or ordering, please click here.
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