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 Taper and rod design ~ I made rods for about 10 years before acquiring the Gary H. Howells rod shop. In that time, I learned how to design a rod to function as a superb fishing tool. This design work was done empirically, by building and field testing and then building another. This background was invaluable to me when I acquired Gary Howells rod shop, because it has helped me work with Gary's tapers and recognize their true greatness (as well as develop variations). Gary Howells records ~ I acquired all of Gary H. Howells' original rod-making notes, shop notes, shop books, records, and some memorabilia. In all matters pertaining to rod making, I have benefitted immeasurably from having access to Gary's 30+ years of rod-making experimentation. Bamboo ~ Gary Howells had about 400 bamboo culms which I got when I acquired Gary's rod shop. These culms are all well-aged. This cane is now stored in drying racks, like fine wine. This well aged cane is used to make all of my rods. 
Process and technique ~ The bamboo is split, not sawn, then carefully worked using Gary Howells' tools and equipment. These tools and equipment include various Al Talbot-designed and precision built pieces. ~ All techniques used in these rods are techniques passed on from Lew Stoner to Doug Merrick to Gary Howells to Glenn Brackett and then to me. ~ All bamboo is precision heat-treated using Gary's commercial heat-treating process. I have added some minor variations to that process. ~ All rods I make are made using the hollow-fluting techniques pioneered by Lew Stoner. All rods, from 6'0" to 9'3" are built using this technique. This hollow-fluting both lightens the rods and enlivens the rod action. ~ In the Howells' acquisition, I acquired Gary's large stock of prime Zebra wood for turning my reel seat inserts. Ferrule and metal working ~ I make all my own ferrules, grip checks, and reel seat hardware, including screw uplocking and slide band, hood down locking fixtures. Ferrule stations ~ All ferrules are pinned, as well as glued, using techniques handed down from the masters. The ferrule-bamboo interface on the rod is specially worked using unique techniques from the time of Lew Stoner to make that transition smooth and provide for proper transfer of power through the ferrule stations. Cork ~ Gary Howells had thousands of corks and never used filler in his rod handles and cork reel seats. I follow the same practice, using about 1 out of 60 corks for the finished rod. The cork used in the reel seats is milled to accept the reel foot and prevent slippage. Finishing ~ All guides and ferrules are wound using Gary Howells threads and color schemes. All ferrule tabs are double-wrapped. All guides are over-wrapped where the guide meets the bamboo. The female and male ferrules are completely over-wrapped. All of these treatments contribute to the durability and longevity of the rod. I use the same varnish that Gary H. Howells used. This varnish is put on in 4 hand-rubbed coats. The varnish Gary used was specially selected to further contribute to the durability of the rod.
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 Gary H. Howells |
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