I am pleased to offer my own designed series of rods, The Ondawa Series.
ONDAWA: One of 2 Native American names for the Battenkill, where the series was developed and tested.
The first two are a 7'-9" 3pc 4wt and a 5wt. Rod blanks are rolled in the USA and are constructed of Black Uni S2 Fiberglass. As with my other builds, all finished rods will be built with USA-made rod components.
Both models underwent several months of prototype testing before the final two tapers were selected. I spent the entire late spring testing prototypes and then in early summer the final 2 models were fished extensively on small to medium sized rivers with different brands and types of fly lines.
I wanted both rods to be able to do several different things well, from fishing dries, dry/dropper rigs, swinging wets, and fishing streamers, but both needed a smooth casting profile: A pleasure to cast, easily able to place the offering where you are looking, and offer a great experience hooking, playing, and landing fish.
I believe these two models will offer that:
The 7'-9" 3pc 5 wt is a medium-fast taper best suited for dries, dry/dropper rigs, wet flies, and streamers. DT5 lines are suggested. This rod does everything well, it will load properly for close in work as well as reaching out for long casts, 65-70ft with ease. While I recommend DT5 lines for it, it did do well with heavier WF5 lines and Standard WF6 lines.
The 7'-9" 3pc 4 wt is a medium-flex taper best suited for dries, dry/dropper rigs, and wet flies. DT4 lines are suggested. While it will cast lightweight streamers, the 5wt is better-suited. This model is a bit "softer" than the 795. As with the 795, it will load nicely for close in work as well as reaching out to the 50-60ft range when needed.
Below are several pictures of both models as well as my Rod Decal. The Label for the Ondawa Series, I was shooting for a somewhat Retro Look.
Pricing:
$550 USD for models with a standard stripping guide and $575 USD for an agate upgrade. I do have blank inventory in stock. I will not sell blanks.