SANDY'S CUSTOM FLY RODS - 5 Favourite Builds

I know that I've been a little tardy with the two follow up posts with Sandy's Custom Fly Rods from the first post (LINK) which was more than a few weeks ago now.  The content is evergreen but apologizes nonetheless... 

When I first reached out to Sandy, we discussed what had been keeping him busy in the shop and I asked what were a few of his favorite builds from last year.  He responded that it was tough to pick but with prodding, he sent along this short list of five special fly rod builds along with photographs and what makes each blank something special in his eyes.  I concur wholeheartedly and appreciate his fine work.

IJUIN YOMOGI 7'3" 4-WEIGHT
On this little Yomogi build, wasabi green silk for a slightly defined wrap, a beautifully warm pear agate and the lightly dyed wood were all things I wanted to do and this is one of my most favourite dry fly rods.

The taper is super smooth and very progressive for an Ijuin Rods blank.  This is a rod that always makes me feel relaxed and at one with nature.  Hence the very natural spring themed colours.  Soft and warm for green, it just made me smile.  I think its one the quintessential modern glass taper.

MCFARLAND ROD COMPANY CLASSIC 7'6" 3-WEIGHT
The next rod is another dry fly rod, this time a McFarland Classic 7’6” 3wt.  This is another favourite blank of mine and is a fabulous larger water, light dry fly rod.  Smooth and surprisingly powerful for a three weight that is equally happy with a four weight line.

It's easy to understand and very accessible for anyone new to glass.  I made this one with a dyed Buckeye/Sapwood two tone seat which drove the colour scheme with the dark green tipped amber wraps and banded coffee agate. Setting off nicely against the bright, fun, sunshine yellow blank.

STEFFEN BROTHERS 7'3" 3/4 WEIGHT

The 3pc Steffen 7’3” 3/4wt is another blank that fills this niche in a wonderful way, I built this one to be a partner to the 150th rod. So I used a matching Figured Maple insert on the Struble U20, Coffee agate and Orange wraps with Brown tippings. I prefer this as a 4wt and I find it one of the most communicative blanks you can ever fish. Geared towards smaller, more intimate waters than its 8’ brother it casts with a similar feel and grace. Smooth and creamy like the previous two and a completely different look with the satin finished earthy, chestnut blank.

IJUIN RODS HARD PARA 7'5" 4-WEIGHT
This started as an exercise driven by the wooden insert.  The piece of Amboyna wood looked liked the Sapwood was trying to burn it way out from the inside, with black hardware, orange silk, and orange and brown Koi agate the finished rod looked particularly stunning. 

This is powerful glass rod that loves to be stroked into action and really encompasses the "Slow Down" ethos. Very versatile as an all-rounder it certainly improves your day on the water.  Amazingly good on all sizes of water and surprising just how far you can cast it when you get into the rhythm.

MCFARLAND ROD COMPANY SPRUCE CREEK 6'9" 3-WEIGHT
Shorter glass can get tricky but this final of the five favourites, is the first rod I have made since moving house during the summer.  The McFarland Spruce Creek 6’9” three weight is a different animal to the others and is a very unstable blank which pivots really easily making it perfect for doing short range off axis casts, curves, hooks, wiggles and puddles are easily controlled as well as being a bow and arrow dream.

It’s huge fun on a small stream, the incredible fast tip makes it laser accurate and very forgiving with small fish, perfect for any tight brushy stream. I had a special piece of Flame Elder set aside for this and matched it up with a Coral Agate and Chinese Red wraps to make a stunning looking, amazing casting rod.

Visit the Sandy's Custom Fly Rods website to see more of his work and be sure to follow along on Instagram too for the latest shop news.