Apache Trout

Dano, Your suggestion to Clay concerning focusing on glass is absolutely perfect. The glass following is currently growing by leaps and bounds and as you point out there is a limited number of current manufactures to choose from. The graphite composite manufacturing market is already oversaturated and an attempt to complete with the top guns probably isn't the best of ideas. The rumor is that T&T may drop the Heritage model next year - probably due to the outrageous price. However, this summer there will be an announcement that will blow everyone away concerning the introduction of a glass blank that will unquestionably be the best that has ever been produced - even better than the great old Fisher blanks! I can't expound on the announcement at this time but will put up a posting when the time is appropriate. Accordingly, I think that Clay really needs to understand that to produce an exceptional rod blank and consequently exceptional rod is not an easy task and isn't something that can be learned via the internet. The development of mandrels and experimentation with tapers redevelopment of mandrel dimensions and testing is a very costly and time consuming process that requires a complete understanding of the cause and effect of rod geometry, composition and methodology. Then there is always the question of S glass or E glass! Clay may be best suited to buying his blanks and producing a high quality glass rod then he only needs to worry about going head to head with the current glass rod builders.

Brian is right on - Banjo is extremely knowledgeable and a great guy to boot. He is recovering from an illness so anyone who is acquainted with Banjo may want to wish him well.

For any collectors or a fly fishing angler who prefers a bamboo rod I just posted a beautiful vintage rod in the for sale forum section.

VL&A (Von Lengerke & Antoine) "Favorite" model by Eugene F. Edwards Rod Company for sale 7'6" (2) piece with (2) tips sections, nickel silver hardware and original rod sleeve Edwards Bristol period rod - Circa 1940 NEW UNUSED! $1200.00 + shipping Additional photos and section measurements available upon request contact: firearmsunlimited@cox.net

VL&A (Von Lengerke & Antoine) "Favorite" by the Eugene F. Edwards Rod Company 7'6" (2) piece with (2) tip sections, nickel silver fittings & original rod sleeve Circa 1940 Looks to be new unused! More photos and section measurements available upon request. $1200.00 + shipping