I have been working pretty hard getting blanks made up in the Steffen and Trout Smiths brands, which are both unique to themselves. I have finally built up a pretty good stock of Trout Smiths rods that are in the shop and ready to ship immediately... meaning zero wait time as of currently.
These rods are different than what I make for the Steffen brand so they fit into a category for themselves. I also priced them at $498 each to make the price competitive for what I've seen in an American made fiberglass rod market. Although I have seen the prices of several rods continue to rise and several are close or even over a grand now. Is this a value brand? I don't know, I don't think so. All are made by me in a tiny 1000sq foot shop in Michigan and I have the hands to prove it. All the parts I use on these rods are premium, the cork is flor grade, with zero filler, the reel seat hardware is nickel silver with my logo pressed into the end cap on one series and a very nice anodized aluminum set of hardware on the other.
I will continue to work on other taper designs, and I am doing some painting (
some I have to have done professionally), that being said I may offer green or yellow rods at some point.
Here is the simple and clean line up for the rods I have for 2022. Currently these rods are listed on my graywolf website. I will build a website for this brand at some point.
Trout Smiths E GlassThis series of uni E glass rods have a wonderful progressive full flexing action and are extremely light in hand. These rods remind me a lot of bamboo. Made in two of my favorite length/line configurations 7ft 4wt & 7ft 5wt. Super rods with hand lapped spigot ferrules, olivewood reel seats, & flor grade cigar grips. I feel these rods are true to the designated line weight. I like Cortland 444 or 406 brand on this line up.
Trout Smiths pack rodsWow what great rods. Rod blanks are a blend of E & S glass. The action is quick & precise with this series. These rods feel fast in hand but will flex deep as fiberglass should. Super fun rods that are 4pc & pack down to travel anywhere. Simple, clean, clear glass with outstanding wood seats that flow seamlessly into a flor grade Powell style grip & wrapped in blends of orange & olive thread. I cross weight these rods as they do handle both line weights well. Likes DT and WF lines from 406 brand.
6'0" 1/2 & 2/3, 7'0" 3/4, 7'6" 3/4 & 4/5You will find the complete list of specs, and several more photos on the Trout Smiths page of my website.
https://www.graywolfrods.com/troutsmithsrodsAnd thank you all for your continued support. Shane