Payne 97 a venerable taper

Above photo: A flared reel seat and a swelled butt just above the winding check are some of the subtle details on this newly completed Payne 97 taper.

(click on any photo for magnification)

Often, I have customers ask me to make them tapers from yesteryear. The Jim Payne 97 is popular, to say the least. This 7' 4wt. Unlike the Payne 98, is a straight-up 4wt. that has quite a following indeed.

Jim Payne was of the lineage of great makers, namely his father Everett Payne, who worked with Hiram Leonard, who many consider the father of American bamboo fly rods. 

The Payne 97 is an intuitively responsive medium-action cane rod. It is, in my opinion, a Swiss Army Knife of 7-footers because it can handle the most delicate dry or midge fishing, but also has enough backbone to throw a weighted nymph or a small streamer. I would go so far as to say that if it were the only classic taper available for my applications on Northeastern spring creeks, it would be this one. For me, it's my tier 1 CQB rod that is my go-to for both tight water and low technical water. Where a 60" furled silk or Uni leader is the mainstay, paired with straight 6' shots of 5x down to 8x is the norm. The Payne 97 taper has a reputation for pinpoint accuracy that I can vouch for with a buttoned-up leader application as described.

Above photo: some custom sentiments requested by the customer.

Above photo: All spalted and curly Koa spacers are from the Big Island of Hawaii, where half of my family originated from. I have collected blocks over the last 30 or so years; it is gorgeous stock and becoming extremely rare. Prior to turning, all my blanks are pressure-treated in resin for 14 days. This hardwood is the pride of the islands. I have many blanks that are both spalted and curly!

Above photo: Ring sets all have a tapered interior bore for a secure and positive reel foot

that keeps it from repositioning and sliding.

Some wonderful, understated cadence and details for a classic taper

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Clint Bova

www.cjbovarods.com