In 2007 I launched a small creek rod called the “Little Mecoche” named after a small spring creek that my ancestors lived near. Ancestors from over 175 years ago. My great grandfather was a fabricator in “Iron City” Bellefontaine Ohio. He was one of those old school craftsman that use to write down shop drawings on butcher paper while sitting at the kitchen table after hours. He was extremely resourceful and very OC as I understand. This small rod really was honoring him and his legacy when I first started developing it.
Often I get emails or phone calls to this day from fly fisherman asking if I can make them a smaller spring creek rod for tight spaces that can load quickly and lay line out like a whisper for tiny midge fishing. Over the years I have made many many of these rods and I personally fish mine about 50% of the time during the season. Many have ended up in Eastern PA, Tennessee, West Virginia, northern Colorado, northern California, Vermont, and even as far as Italy and Spain. I suppose there is and always will be a demand for smallish rods that cast 2-4 weight lines with a certain frequency. Lately fisherman are really delving into ultra lights. I've noticed over the last 25 years or more of rod making that the demand for different rod lengths ebb and flow. Currently there is an ever strong resurgence for tiny pack rods as well. The “Little Mecoche” 6'9" 4wt. taper lives on well into its second decade, but now in a swelled butt version in 2 or 3 piece rods and both down locking and double slide band ring sets as options. The taper itself designed to load quickly in close or handle a 40 foot cast no problem. The “Iron Midge” a 7' in a 3wt. or 4wt. and just as versatile with a traditional swelled butt and a grade A cork cigar grip. (Feel free to click on the gallery images below for magnification)
Thanks for letting me share! Clint Bova | www.cjbovarods.com
