W. S. Franke Custom Rods
A Brief History
In 1973 Bill began building his first rods on the kitchen table. Before long, a fledgling company, Timberline Rod Company was born and Bill began to manufacture the "Backpacker" line of rods. These multi-piece fiberglass rods became known as the industry standard for pack/travel rods. By the mid 1970s Timberline Rod Company was producing as many as 2000 to 3000 rods per year, including pack rods for L.L. Bean and Eastern Mountain Sports. With the advent of graphite in the mid-'70s, Bill added a line of graphite pack rods and had begun building custom rods for preferred customers. Realizing that his passion for rod-making had a bigger calling than the assembly-line production the pack rod business had become, Bill opened a retail rod shop. In this rod shop, not only did Bill build custom graphite rods, but also bamboo rods on his unique, self-designed and self-built milling machine. It was also during this time that due to the problems of Medalist reels fitting the modern day reel seats, Bill developed the One-Pfoot replacement foot for Pflueger Medalist reels.
In more recent years, in addition to expanding the One-Pfoot replacement products, Bill continues to build a limited number of custom rods. He has added to the uniqueness of his custom rods by developing his own line of graceful and functional rod components and rod cases. Between machining rod components, rod cases, and One-Pfoot products, Bill still finds the time to do what he loves most - building a limited number of fly rods for the discriminating fisherman.
"The Brook Series" are slow to moderate action, 2 and 3 piece fiberglass rods that are perfect for exploring your favorite small streams. These are not powerhouse rods -"The Brook Series" rods are perfect for 10' to 40' presentations. Their lightweight and gentle actions allow you to delicately present small flies with precision.
"The Brook Series" rods have been designed and built, simply but elegantly, using our own hardware (made here in our own shop), the finest grade Portuguese cork available, and premium titanium carbide or hard chrome coated snake and stripping guides. The rod guides are wrapped in silk thread and encased with a multi-coat varnish and epoxy for a strong, durable finish. All W.S.Franke Custom Rods include our own custom-sewn rod bags and our own traditional brass capped and collared aluminum rod cases.
If small streams and small flies are your passion, then one of these rods will enhance your enjoyment on the stream!
7' - #3 weight 2 piece Fiberglass
Nickle-silver slide band seat with curly maple wood insert, carbide stripper, snake guides. Cigar grip. Wrapped in translucent tan silk with black trim. Includes rod, bag, and rod case: $475.00
Blue oxide nickel silver slide band on Spanish cedar wood insert. Cigar grip. Dark red silk wraps trimmed in black with titantium coated snake guides and tip top. Includes rod, bag, and rod case: $490.00
Anodized black aluminum slide band with curly maple wood insert. Cigar grip. Rich brown silk wraps with black trim and titantium coated snake guides. Includes rod, bag and rod case: $475.00
Our classic polished aluminum downlock, screwlock reel seat with nickel silver hooded pocket and acorn butt cap. Traditional butternut insert. Rod is wrapped in java brown silk, tipped in black. Hard chrome snake guides and carbide stripping guide. Includes rod, bag, and rod case: $495.00
