Rods

Bamboo Rods

Fiberglass, Tenkara and Graphite Fly Rods

Swift River Fly Fishing makes three grades of custom fiberglass fly rods. The Specials are entry level rods built on smooth s-glass blanks with good quality components at lengths of 7, 7.5 and 8 feet, priced at $295. The Trouter series are also built on smooth s-glass blanks with more refined actions and higher grade components. They are priced at $375. The Wild Trout Series are built on textured custom made s-glass blanks with the best components and refined actions for the most discerning fly fishermen. Each Wild Trout model is inspired by a specific species of native trout, with tapers suited to the native waters in which those fish live and finished in silk thread colors that represent the natural colors of the native trout for which they are named. They are priced at $495 to $575. I am happy to make other custom rods to order. Please inquire. Tenkara rods are described below.

Tenkara Fly Rods

Zen Tenkara Rods

Tenkara’s origin lies in Japanese antiquity, fixed-line fly fishing perfected in mountain streams and adapted to many fishing situations. Tenkara requires no reel, using the flexibility of the rod to fight fish.  It represents simplicity in fly fishing; a long, supple, sensitive rod, a line of similar length, and a fly. They are simple and elegant tools, easy to learn yet offering a new choice for veteran anglers.

The Suzume Tri-Zoom Tenkara Fly Rod is a favorite for those who enjoy small streams.  A sparrow, suzume in Japanese, is a highly adaptable bird like the Suzume Tenkara; ultra-light, telescoping, triple zoom rod at 3 lengths: 7’7”, 9’3” and 10’8”. It has a medium-fast action, 6:4 flex and a slender 11” cork handle for comfort. Fly Rod Approximate Equivalency (FRAE): 3wt $240

The Zako Tenkara Fly Rod is a perfect all-around fly rod for small Brookies to large Browns. The Zako is 12 feet, with a 6:4, medium-fast action flex, comparable to a regular 5wt fly rod, and includes spare tip, sock and travel case. Pair Performance Tip for faster action. This rod will cover most scenarios in everyday fishing, even when hooking something bigger than you were expecting. FRAE: 5wt - $225

The Suimenka Tenkara Fly Rod is a Nymphing Rod and Dry Fly Rod with 2 tips to alter rod length and action. The nymphing tip is thicker and stiffer at 9’/11”.  The dry fly tip is light and delicate at 10’/12”. It is two fly rods in one, with a medium fast-action rod and a 6:4 flex. Two tips, four lengths. Add Performance Tip for action between the nymphing tip and the dry fly tip. FRAE: 6wt. $260

Sagi means heron, a long, lean, stealthy hunter like the Sagi Tenkara Fly Rod.  It’s flex and strength are unmatched at 3.5oz.  At 13’6” the Sagi is designed for bigger water. It casts a range of lines from ultra-light to 40′, 3wt-7wt. Cast delicate dries or big streamers. Includes spare tip, rod sock and travel case. Pair with Performance Tip for a faster action. (FRAE): 7wt. $255

Starter Kit – Add a tenkara line and six tenkara flies to any rod for $30 and head to the stream.

Swift River Premier Zen Tenkara Bundle – A complete small stream, light line package with a Suzume Tenkara Rod, bag and tube, two tenkara lines at 7 and 11 feet, a Zen Tenkara wooden line spool and a ZT Wooden fly box with six tenkara flies selected specifically for the upper and lower Swift River.  $378 

Tenkara USA Rods

The Rhodo is super light-weight, durable, versatile and precise. It is a big favorite for small streams. Use the rod at three lengths of 8'10" / 9'9" / 10'6”. The short rod is perfect in tight spots but many anglers also want the advantages a long tenkara rod. 

The Hane™ is a super compact all-around adventure rod. Measuring just under 15 inches when collapsed, it extends to 10ft 10in, and fits nicely inside a small day pack, making this a superb tenkara rod for backpacking, bike fishing and other adventures. 

The Sato™ is a compact and lightweight (2.9oz) adjustable tenkara rod that can be fished at 3 lengths: 10'8", 11'10", and 12'9" (3.25m - 3.9m). The Sato is named for Mr. Ernest Satow, avid mountaineer and first person to make a written record of Tenkara.

Graphite Fly Rods

Models from Orvis, Winston, Hardy, and Sage. Shipping $25 to $45.

Hardy Jet Sintrix, 9’6”, 6 wt. New with tube, bag and papers. $400

Sage DS2 590-4, Graphite II, 5 wt. 9’ $275

Orvis Trident TLS, Mid Flex 6.0, 7’11” 4 wt. $200

Orvis Trident TLS, Mid Flex 7.0, 8’4”, 2 wt. $225

Orvis Trident TLS, Tip Flex 9.5, 8’4”, 3 wt. $225

Orvis Trident TLS, Tip Flex 9.5, 9’, 6 wt. $200

Swift River Bamboo Rods

Swift River bamboo rods are heat tempered, medium brown, flamed cane with spiral nodes unless otherwise noted, hand rubbed with tung oil and sealed with spar urethane, fitted with CSE ferrules and reel seats. Tapers based on Thomas, Edwards, Payne, and Leonard. Final tapers ensure each rod will be a fine casting instrument, finished to high standards. Modifications to standard features available on request. Rods ordered in 2022 are priced at $1225 for 2/2 models and $1275 for 3/2 models.

I have been restoring bamboo rods since 1992 and building since 2000, first on Edwards blanks. From 2002 to 2008 I designed and made blanks for models listed here and still use those as well as blanks by Bacon, Zietak and Chapman, made to my specifications.

Available Models

Swift River Heritage Bamboo Fly Rods

Swift River now offers bamboo fly rods made with vintage (1949 to 1979) blanks from the Amherst Fishing Rod Company, Sewell Dunton, and rod maker Andy Rewa of Turners Falls, MA. Configurations for 3/2 rods are from 7’6” to 9’ for 4 to 8 weight lines, and 2/2 blanks from 6’4” to 8’.  Salmon, spinning and casting blanks as well. Any configuration can be purchased as a blank. 

Blanks are darker, flamed cane with spiral nodes, culled, trimmed, sanded and polished to produce classic tapers. Rods can have vintage NS ferrules or new ferrules, hard wood reel seats from slide band to down-locking, vintage cork or hand turned grips. Streamer blanks for Salmon, Lake Trout and Steelhead are available as well.

Prices range from $750 to $995. Wait times are 3 to 6 months. Blanks are priced at $175 to $200 and available vintage components include ferrules, guides and grips.

Heritage Blanks Ready for Shipping:

2/2      7’         12/64 ferrule size                   4 weight          medium action            

2/2      6’8”     12/64 ferrule size                   4 weight          medium action

3/2      7’6”     10/64 & 16/64 ferrule sizes    4/5 weight      medium action

3/2      8’         11/64 & 16/64 ferrule sizes    5 weight          medium/fast

3/2      8’6”     11/64 & 16/64 ferrule sizes    5/6 weight      medium/fast

3/2      9’         12/16 & 16/64 ferrule sizes    5/6 weight      medium/slow