SHOP NOTES | C.J. BOVA RODS

The nail knot has been around for centuries and many knots we use today were derivatives of this very proven method of connecting two lines together. Since 1938, with the invention of nylon fly fishing has changed dramatically in certain ways. Nylon caused a jump start of other later mediums such as Dracon, Spectra, and PVDF. The ironic thing about technology is that it does not always change the simple things that it supposedly enhances or try's to make better. Many times technology is humbled by its own simple archaic functionality. Plastic fly lines have changed over the years and even silk has evolved and blossomed. Many fly casters say that the quality of the tapers have changed for the better. Others say lines have only suffered with technology and all of its gimmicky growing pains. Knots really have not changed through all the technological breakthroughs. The knot is still the single most important part of fly fishing . Without knots you cannot fish, period. Without knots a...

The benefits of silk lines are vast when considering the overall performance of bamboo fly rods. They by far excel in accuracy, loading, and shooting of line . I have pretty much left the world of plastic lines altogether not because of traditional esoterics but because of silks overall performance. It just feels right. The marriage and cadence between fly rod and line is so noticeable that using anything else just does not make a lot of sense to me. The narrow diameter of the line, its overall density, and true to form tapers are much more specific to the very nature of the bamboo fly rod. That said silk lines are no more or less of a hassle to maintain than plastic lines. After about four or five hours of fishing all that is needed is two or three minutes to run a chamois swatch over the casting section of your line. Re-apply the mucilin with your fingers and buff the line lightly with some felt. I get felt at the craft store for about 20 cents a sheet and cut it up into small squar...

 “sometimes I enjoy the company of a mayfly  when I start planing bamboo” I recently had a client call me and ask me if he should “get his feet wet” and make his own split cane rod. There is a lot of interest here in the U.S. especially within the last twenty or so years in learning how to make split cane fly rods. The craft has become more accessible in regards to information, tools, and even raw materials. I always try to inspire people to take a class in rod “making”. By “making” I mean creating something from scratch like a rod blank. “Building” a rod refers to taking an amalgam of components including a rod blank and constructing a rod. There is a big difference. Learning how to “build” a rod is important to better familiarize oneself with the materials and the construction behind the craft. Learning how to “make” the rod itself and its given components is a whole other chapter that takes time, patience, passion, dedication, and yes money. To be realistic initially one ...

 “Under the Rainbows” Photo: Clint Bova     It is as hard to see one's self as to look  backwards without turning around. ~Henry David Thoreau

I often get asked what is your favorite part of making bamboo fly rods? I typically respond by saying “fishing them”. My follow up response is simply “handling the cane”. There are many ways to experience the process of making a fly rod I choose to experience it without the use of tapering bevelers, gang saws, and a crew of craftsmen. The final result is typically a great rod of some kind either way. I just choose to experience the process in a more intimate way when it involves splitting, straightening, and planing. I have used all of the above mentioned equipment at one time or another but I feel when I do I have missed out on the real joy of making cane rods. I always have accepted the merits of using more machinery but I don’t experience the same level of intimacy with the cane when I do. Experiencing every inch of a spline and its given nodes track and echo around in my head at night like an endless ticker tape. The level of peer pressure I get to use more machinery is somewhat ...

 In regards to the Gibson Guitar shop raid incident: When the Government starts harassing the small guild craftsmen and women over justifiable raw materials I draw the line. I normally do not bring up current events or political views in my “Shop Notes” section but I am outraged that this is remotely tolerable in the USA. “Job Creation” is not driven by harassing the very roots and soulful enterprises that bring meaning to the American spirit. This is simply unacceptable. ~Clint Bova “Be a warhorse for work and enjoy even the struggle against possible defeat.” ~The Artist Robert Henri, “The Art Spirit” *The raids forced Gibson to cease manufacturing operations and send workers home for the day while armed agents executed the search warrants. “Agents seized wood that was Forest Stewardship Council controlled,” Juszkiewicz said. “Gibson has a long history of supporting sustainable and responsible sources of wood and has worked diligently with entities such as the Rainf...

I recently had a client ask me if he could see what a rod section looks like after the splines have been wrapped in the binder. The splines are actually wrapped twice, once before heat treating, and then after the final planing during the process of gluing up all six sections. The photo above shows a swelled butt section of a 7'9" 5wt “in the strings” prior to initial heat treating. Special care is taken to tension the wraps around a swell and measure out the exact location of the swell and the grip. ~Clint Bova

  A nice Brown caught on the 7'4wt. “Johnny Logan” I have sold many of these rods to those who enjoy a light rod for small mountain streams and spring creeks. I have always called it a true 4wt. that is great for small delicate quiet presentations. The above photo is a fish that was taken on a #18 Para ant in small water in central PA. I have fished this taper for the last decade and especially enjoy it for fall midge fishing. See details for this rod at www.cjbovarods.com or madriverrodco.com ~Clint Bova

Above: Mad River Rod Co.“Little Mecoche” 6'9" 4wt. Many of my flared reels seats echo some of the late great Fred Divine reel seats   of   yesteryear. My seats are one of a kind and are turned from larger stabilized blocks of spalted maple, burled Koa, and Circassian walnut .   Above: this particular seat that dates back to around 1917 is from Fred Divines “Special Dry Fly” model My reel seats have varied profiles that complement the geometry of the cap and ring sets. Typically I use these seats on 7’3” models or smaller and are proportioned accordingly. These seats are a little more involved than what meets the eye. In order to get a reel foot secured properly with these seats I spent a lot of time over the years working with the interior design of the ring set. The correct chamfering and orientation of the ring set as well as the mortise depth and contour are important considerations to make the reel secure. I make the nickel caps either with a three tiered detail ...

“The old Lakota was wise. He knew that man's heart away from nature becomes hard.”   ~Luther Standing Bear

  Wings ~ Miroslav Holub (scientist & poet 1923-1998) We have a map of the universe for microbes, we have a map of a microbe for the universe. We have a Grand Master of chess made of electronic circuits. But above all we have the ability to sort peas, to cup water in our hands.   To seek the right screw under the sofa for hours This gives us wings.

 Personal criteria for my favorite grasshopper patterns:   1 ~Use of all natural materials 2 ~A pattern that can be tied in less than eight minutes 3 ~Least wind resistant geometry on a hook no larger than a #10 4 ~A pattern that casts well using tippet down to 6x 5 ~Create a geometry that can be fished wet or dry successfully 6 ~A wing that does not use turkey feathers or other primary feathers 7 ~A hybrid pattern an attractor/imitation 8 ~Legs wispy and very flexible as not to influence a take or hook set 9 ~Can be tied as small juvenile or adult (variables only in hook sizes) Davie McPhail is an outstanding Scottish fly tyer. Davie grew up in the south west of Scotland and fished rivers such as the Stinchar, the Nith, Girvan, and the river Doon while growing up. After watching Davie tye flies over the years, both traditional and contemporary I quickly came to realize that he definitely has a particular point of view and unique methods that make him stand out in a ...

 I pre-package all of my double knotted hopper legs because I size  them for both adults and juveniles, each package contains  enough legs for two hoppers. (x4 legs per juvy hopper) One of the most distinguishing characteristics of the grasshoppers geometry is its hind legs or “jumping legs”. These legs are often over dramatized or under dramatized in many patterns. Many of the pre-knotted legs we get from catalogs or fly shops are pre-knotted legs made from several hackle fibers of pheasant tail. Often these look like bottle brushes or the business end of a broom. If you look closely at a juvenile grasshoppers legs they are fairly slender and are most definitely tapered. By taking just two hackle fibers of a pheasant tail and tying a half hitch at the very end of the fibers and a second half hitch in the middle of the fibers you get two joint sections in a single leg. (as seen in the anatomical diagram below and the above photo) Again you can see that the taper is ve...

If we go back in time and think about when we were playing in our back yards and had our first encounter with a grasshopper it was a simpler place in time. It is so easy to forget about the simplicity of these insects when it comes to their basic anatomy. When you look at the multitude of fly patterns imitating or interpreting this insect it is vast and overwhelming to say the least.   As a fly tyer I have scratched everything I know when it comes to tying grasshopper patterns. I decided to start with simple observations this season and keep a journal as well as an open mind. So I went on a collection rampage of juvenile grasshoppers in the months of June, July, and August. I also decided to match the uniform scale of the insects and fish them earlier than normal during the season. What I have found is neither astonishing or abnormal. In the U.S. hopper patterns are tied on hooks typically ranging from #6-12. In many cases you may as well be throwing a grenade into your f...

 Creeping up on a pool of big Browns. Knowing that my first cast will be the most important cast of the day will prompt me to slow down, be observant, and crawl well behind the pool. “Every shot counts” is the mantra that you will hear from not only hunters, but archers, and competition shooters. Your next cast can either make or break your day on the water especially when fishing over weary and skittish trout. My success on the water is only as good as my last cast . Prospecting using search patterns always requires a level of precision, focus, and attention to detail. Prospecting is no different than sight fishing when considering the quality cast and visualizing your potential targets. If your prospecting in clear low water you have to be mindful that your first cast could scare the entire pool of trout. Tactical methods are best used in either approach. Focus less on your equipment and more on your casting discipline even when the fishing is slow. Your rod will only serve you ...

  above: “Tecumseh” 7'6" 5wt. 2pc. with Early Morning Brown I come upon it suddenly, alone- A little pathway winding in the weeds That fringe the roadside; and with dreams my own, I wander as it leads. Full wistfully along the slender way, Through the summer tan of freckled shade and shine, I take the path that leads me as it may- Its every choice is mine. A chipmunk, or a sudden whirring quail, Is startled by my step as on I fare- A garter-snake across the dusty trail Glances and-is not there. Above the arching jimson-weeds flare twos And twos of swallow-yellow butterflies. ~James Whitcomb Riley

 The “Shawnee Rose”, a #18 dry fly, and a nice brown in the rain. A couple of Blue Wing Olives I decided to take with me and dry off. In the midst of all this spring torrent the BWO still comes to the rescue. Hopefully everyone can salvage their spring quick. ~Clint

Ferrule plugs come standard on all of my rods and I offer three basic patterns. Ferrule plugs keep dirt, dust, and moisture from getting into your female ferrule. Plugs come in handy when packing rods into remote areas especially if you are camping. Campsites increase the opportunity for dirt to work it's way into just about everything and the last thing you want is dirt jammed into your ferrule. I turn these plugs with extremely small cutting tools under a magnifier. Flor grade cork and nickel are turned in tandem resulting in a smooth even profile~ Figure 1 profile as seen in above illustrations All ferrule plugs are solid milled nickel, either polished bright chrome, or blued. The cork stopper provides an easy fit without wearing the interior of the ferrule.                                           ~Clint Joseph Bova

written from the banks of the Mac-o-chee Brook, 1850 (click on image to make bigger) Some call it Mac-o-chee, some call it Mac-o-cheek. The Shawnee who lived along this little stream were the Mecoche tribe which translates to Smiling Valley. The Mecoche tribal Chief was Moluntha who was captured and murdered later after he defeated 182 Kentuckians at the Battle of Blue Licks in 1782. My ancestors intermarried with this tribe (French & Indian) so the Mecoche people hold a special place in my heart. Most of my ancestors are buried in present day West Liberty and Bellefontaine Cemeteries. ~Clint Bova

There has been a noticeable enthusiasm for my #9343 7'9" 4wt 3pc. tapers. This is a wonderful crisp dry fly and nymphing rod that roll casts great and can handle many different fishing situations from small to medium water. Comes with a down locking seat with a domed cap, and distinctive swelled butt. Wraps are either black with intermediates or clear with fine black tipping. “The length of this rod is perfect for new river prospecting on spring creeks and freestoners around the U.S.”                                                 ~Sam Carlson / Charleston WV  I have been getting inquiries in regards to this desired length over the past two or so years and it has become increasingly popular size for travel as well as my 5wt. model the #9343. As...

Lately I have had many inquiries for custom orders. I have taken many custom orders over the years and will continue to do so. My listed rods on my site are the majority of rods that I sell both in 2 and 3 piece models. If you wish to inquire about other weights, lengths, hollow-built, alternate hardware, and finishes please call me directly. Based on the nature of materials in the bamboo rod making world anything is possible. I always hope to come up with creative solutions to bring a fellow fly fishers visualization of his or her dream rod to life. “If one advances confidently in the direction of one's dreams, and endeavors to live the life which one has imagined, one will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” ~Henry David Thoreau

Nice Mad River Brown and my “Little Mecoche” 6'9" 4wt. Eventually we all find our favorite river and come back to it season after season to reacquaint ourselves with ourselves and hopefully catch some fish. We hear our own breath and heart beat after a long winter in an environment that is always conducive to clarity and focus. We also hope that we can let go of our expectations, frustrations, and distractions the moment we hit the water. I recently fished when I was very ill and it reminded me of an important lesson that I learned nearly thirty years ago from a very wise man. Robert Gilmore was not only a great teacher but a great artist. His still life paintings would stop you in your tracks and leave you weak in the knees. I can still smell the distinct odor of his favorite pipe tobacco (Amphora). He was a short stocky man with a twinkle in his eye and a gruff but good natured personality. Gilmore studied with the late Walter Murch a student of the Art Students League of...

  I recently had a customer comment on the great quality of my grips so I though I would comment a little on the topic. Cork is a beautiful thing in its most natural form and is warm to the touch. Typically I look at them very carefully. I do not use fillers in my grips simply because I do not have to.   If you have ever seen cork grips that look like they should be hanging off of a fishing net in the middle of the Atlantic look a little closer at many of the rods sold at retail today. Many grips with fillers look like the grip has been extruded out of a sausage maker.    The above photo shows what a premium grip looks like after  going through the extra step of locating the lenticels, numbering the  measured rings, and placing them in sequence. Thus avoiding them  during the final turning process. I start out by using the best cork I can get and then take it one step further. I measure all the clusters of lenticels in the rings to miss the fin...

  The picture was taken for a cover of LIFE back in 1942 by photographer Bob Landry “The most important thing in anyone's life is to be giving something.  The quality I can give is fun, joy and happiness. This is my gift." ~ Ginger Rogers

  Above: this quilled parachute pattern that I tie  is simple and very effective (photos by Clint Bova) During the summer months our terrestrial fly boxes are stocked with hopper patterns, ants, beetles, spiders, and crane flies. A much overlooked morsel in the trouts diet are black Flies and they can be found throughout the United States and around the world . After fishing over the years in Canada I quickly came to realize how much I hated these things. They can literally bite through layers of clothing and leave you cussing for hours on end. If you cant beat em, put em on the end of your line. I have developed a pattern that I use when these water born nasties hatch during the summer. The Black Fly is from the Order of Diptera and hatch from running water. It is there that the larvae attaches to submerged rocks using silk holdfasts and threads to move or hold themselves to a structure. Eventually they pupate under water and emerge in a bubble of oxygen as an air born adu...

All of my rod tubes are turn of the century antique styled cases and are commonly 1.625" and 2.0" in diameter. The top and bottom caps are solid milled brass with beautiful tooling. The rod cases comfortably fit two and three piece rods with two tips and have a leather insert in the caps. I also make custom pvc carriers for indestructible travel via air, mule, camel, or Sherpa. A heavy walled tube is always appreciated when there are baggage handlers involved. “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.       ~Henry David Thoreau

  Early morning Fall Brown caught on a Trico spinner  and a 7'6" “Shawnee Rose”   5wt. Cultivate the habit of early rising. It is unwise to keep the head long on a level with the feet. ~Henry David Thoreau