![]() ![]() ↳ Rod making, restoration, repairs and discussion on those related topics concerning bamboo rods.And that is why they (Bruce and Walker) are not at all well known here in the states. B and W has done some trout rods over the years.but that was due to some limited demand for them in the UK and Europe which was their "territory". The blanks would all come from one source - Bruce and Walker. They agreed strictly on a handshake that Walt would build and sell primarily trout/steelhead rods (9'6" and under) and market in the US and that Bruce and Walker would primarily produce longer Spey style Salmon rods (then popular mainly in the UK) and market in the UK. I believe Jim and Ken heard about the materials Walt was experimenting with and contacted him to see if they could collaborate. Jim and Ken were trying to figure out how to build lighter more modern Spey rods and Walt was trying to figure out how to use modern materials to build a rod that was not tubular and cast like cane. Walt, Jim (Bruce), and Ken (Walker) hooked up in the early 80's. Yes, all the Hexagraph blanks did and still do come from Bruce and Walker in the UK. Matsoberg wrote:Did Walt get the Hexagraph blanks from Bruce & Walker? I´ve owned three B&W Hexagraphs through the years but didn´t keep them, although the new owners are fishing them frequently. That's their loss.Hexagraphs are great and truly landmark fly rods, IMO. While I know some still denegrate or pooh-pooh the Hexagraphs, most who do have neither examined one of the later rods up close nor fished one, for that matter. That said, I later ordered a rod from Jim and was/am absolutely delighted with the improved product. It thus stands as the only Powell rod I ever returned. To my eye although technologically terrific they were, frankly, rather ugly. Walt replied that Redford was a wealthy film director and if he wanted a rod he could easily buy one just like anyone else.Įarly on I received one of the unpainted rods with green wraps. In fact one of the produciton assistans let Walt know that Robert Redford was quite fond of the rods and thought Walt should give him one as a gift. I believe the bamboo finish was perfected when these rods were used in "A River Runs Through It". RMorrison wrote:The early Hex rods were built on unpainted blanks which were a very dark green/almost black color. Walt replied that Redford was a wealthy film director and if he wanted a rod he could easily buy one just like anyone else. In fact one of the produciton assistants let Walt know that Robert Redford was quite fond of the rods and thought Walt should give him one as a gift. The early Hex rods were built on unpainted blanks which were a very dark green/almost black color. The faux bamboo finish on those Hexagraph rods was not used initially. When Walt sold the hex line to his good friend Harry Briscoe all the building of those rods shifted to Jim's shop in Chico (Jim hung out his own shingle in about 1995 as Raptor Rod Works) where it remains to this day. Jim Clarkson, the man who runs the shop, worked for the Powells for over 10 years and managed the rod building shop for the Powell Rod Co. All those Hexagraph rods are still built in Chico at Raptor Rod Works. I've got a couple of Hexagraph rods as well and they are nice rods and just as you say a great example of Walt's innovative influence on rod building. He was an irascible and difficult personality who had disputes with both his father (E.C.) and son (Press). Walton also didn't take advantage of the hollowbuilding techniques that his father had developed. I think it's worth noting that Tony Maslan, not Walton Powell was the successor to E.C. Powell rods using same tapers, techniques, patent and tradename as original E.C Powells.Īlso: Tony Maslan - E.C.'s son-in-law. Industries", using same hollow built designs as original E.C. Makes a few bamboo rods under name of "E.C. Graphite rods with Walton and on his own.Įugene C. Walton - built some rods with E.C., but went off on his own, made almost all solid rods Powell - developed hollow building, A,B,C tapersĬlyde, Buddy, Walton Powell - sons of E.C.īuddy - built a few rods with E.C., champion tournament caster, killed in car crash ![]()
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