Ondawa Series
I am pleased to offer my own designed series of rods, The Ondawa Series.
The first two are a 7'-9" 3pc 4wt and a 5wt. Rod blanks are rolled in the USA and are constructed of black Uni S2 fiberglass. As with my other builds, all finished rods will be built with USA-made rod components.
Both models underwent several months of prototype testing before the final two tapers were selected. I was after a 7'-9" 3pc in both a 4wt and 5wt that would be at home on small-to-medium rivers.
I wanted both rods to be able to do several different things well, from fishing dries, dry/dropper rigs, swinging wets, and fishing streamers, but both needed a smooth casting profile: A pleasure to cast, easily able to place the offering where you are looking, and offer a great experience hooking, playing, and landing fish.
I believe these two models will offer that:
- The 7'-9" 3pc 4 wt is a medium-fast taper best suited for dries, dry/dropper rigs, and wet flies. DT4 lines are suggested. While it will cast lightweight streamers, the 5wt is better-suited.
- The 7'-9" 3pc 5 wt is a medium-fast taper best suited for dries, dry/dropper rigs, wet flies, and streamers. DT5 lines are suggested.
Both Models are available for custom features available on my other builds. Your choice of:
- Reel seat skeleton
- Shop-turned wooden insert
- Grip size and style
- Agate or Standard stripping and running guides
Pricing
$575 USD for models with a standard stripping guide and $600 USD for an agate upgrade.
Please see the Contact Page for questions and ordering.
The 794-3 with Bright Nickel Lemke Hardware and Redwood Burl Insert
ONDAWA: One of 2 Native American names for the Battenkill, where the series was developed and tested
The 795-3 with Black Nickel Lemke Hardware and Box Elder Burl Insert
794 with a Modified Western Flor Grade Grip, Medium Green Wraps and Snake Brand Universals.
The Label for the Ondawa Series, I was shooting for a somewhat Retro Look. Labels are placed at the 18" mark from the bottom of the butt section
795 with a Modified Western Flor Grade Grip, Dark Green Wraps and Snake Brand Universals
794 with a JE Arguello Agate, available on upgraded builds
XB Standard Stripping Guide in Black Nickel, Bright Nickel Stripping Guides also available.
The Custom Build
My Fly Rods only feature high quality components. Starting with the Blank, I will only build on blanks that feature a warranty and the manufacturer of blanks has a solid reputation in the industry. Reel Seats used are typically Joel Lemke Brand or an equal, USA made. I turn and finish all of my own Wood Inserts and the species of wood is an Option for the customer to choose. I use Flor Grade Cork and I also turn all my own grips, which the style and size is another customer Option. Rod Guides starting with the Stripper Guide, Agates can be another Option, or several styles of Quality Stripper Guides are available. Running Guides and Tip Top are Snake Brand. Winding Checks are Nickel Silver or TiC. Hook Keepers are standard unless not required by Customer. Wrapping Thread can be either Silk, Nylon or Polyester, color and type of thread is also another customer Option.
My builds are backed up by a full workmanship warranty. If any part of the assembly of the build fails, I will fix that at my cost. Example, reel seat falls apart, I'll rebuild or replace it. Knock a guide off, I'll replace it. Blanks that I build on do carry a manufacturer defect warranty, what is not covered is a "stupidity break", close it in a car door. It happens to everyone at some point and the broken section can be remade at a nominal cost.
My object is to create a fly rod that you have dreamed of owning and I will not build and put my name on any rod that I myself would not be proud to fish and say "I built this"
Fiberglass Rods:
From small stream light line rods to warm/saltwater rods heavyweight line rods, anything is possible with Fiberglass. Pricing ranges from $450 to $800 US Dollars depending on: Blank, Length, Line Weight and Components. My most popular builds fall into 3 categories:
Small Stream Trout Rods: 6ft to 7ft, 2wt to 4wts.
Large water Trout 8ft to 8'-9" length 4wt to 6wts (my favorites)
Heavier Weight Trout/Bass/Pike 8'-6" to 8'-9" 7wt to 10wts
All builds are Custom, built to customer specifications. All builds include a Cloth Rod Sock and Aluminum Tube.
Carbon Fiber Fly Rods
The majority of my Carbon Fiber builds are done on CTS blanks, typically from 8'-6" to 11'
Standard Trout, Euro Nymphing, and Heavy Weight Saltwater Builds. Pricing ranges from $600 to $900 US Dollars depending on Blank, Length, Line Weight and Components.
All builds are Custom, built to customer specifications. All builds include a Cloth Rod Sock and Aluminum Tube.
Gallery
Click on the Picture Below to view some of my work
Available Fiberglass builds:
Greywolf Trout Smiths 705-3 E Glass$475.00 plus shippingLovely 7ft 5wt 3pc built on a Greywolf Trout Smiths blank, spigot ferrules, Lemke LC-1 with a Cocobolo Spacer, Mod Western Grip, Pac Bay XB Stripper, Snake Brand Universal running guides, Wrapped in Pac Bay Dark Orange, trimmed with Gudebrod NCP Red.Livingston Western Glass 806-3 S2 Clear Glass$500.00 plus shippingBuilt on a Livingston S2 Glass blank, 8ft 6wt 3pc tip over butt ferrule in Clear, Lemke LC-7 with a Black Ash Burl Spacer, Full Wells Grip, Pac Bay XB Stripper, Snake Brand Universal running guides, Wrapped with Pro Wrap Grape and trimmed with Pro Wrap NCP Fire RedMcFarland Rod Company 763-3 S2 Clear Glass$450.00 plus shippingBuilt on a McFarland Rod Company S2 Glass Clear Blank. Lemke LC-2 reel seat, with a Spalted Maple Spacer, Modified Western Grip, Pac Bay XB Stripper followed by Snake Brand running guides, all Bright Nickel hardware. Wrapped in Pro Wrap Teal Nylon, with Black Silk Trim Bands.Included with all rods, Aluminum Rod Tube and Cloth Sock.
Available Inventory Carbon builds
Greywolf Steffen Brothers 804-4 Blue Carbon
$450.00 plus shippingLemke LC-14 Slide Band Seat with a Buckeye Burl Insert. Modified Western Grip, Pac Bay XB Stripping Guide, Snake Brand Original running guides, Wrapped with Pro Wrap Evergreen Nylon, trimmed with Pro Wrap NCP Summer Sky.CTS Affinity MX 864-4 Golden Brown$500.00 plus shippingLemke LC-7 Retro seat with a Cocobolo Burl insert, Modified Western Grip, Pac Bay Minima 4 Stripper, followed by Snake Brand Original running guides. Wrapped with Gudebrod Medium Brown Nylon, trimmed with Pro Wrap NCP Sunset.Included with all rods, Aluminum Tube and Cloth Sock.
Guide Service
The W. Jude Fly Rod Company also offers Guided Fly Fishing Trips
Trout and Bass on the Fly
I do limited bookings through out the season for beginners and traveling Anglers
Wade Trips, Half Day and Full day
Local waters include but not limited to: Battenkill, Schroon and Walloomsac Rivers for Trout Fly Fishing. We also have a large amount of water on the Hudson River for Smallmouth Bass that can be waded.
Pricing: 1/2 Day Wade Trip 1 Person $275, one additional Angler add $175.
Full Day Wade Trip 1 Person $450, one additional Angler add $250.
Note: For parties of 2 or more Anglers, a second Guide will be utilized, its not fair to the clients nor the guide to be spread out between 2 Anglers. Your paying us to take you fishing, and you should receive the best service possible.
Float Trips, Half Day and Full Day
A small tagline
I own a Scadden Fishing Raft that holds 2 People, so my float trips are reserved for one Angler. Depending on time of year and water flows, I can provide this service for 1/2 Day or Full Day trips. Trout and Bass Fly Fishing. Some of the river systems can be a float and wade trip while other places we won't get out of the boat. Safety is First! Life Jacket is required if in the boat!
Pricing: 1/2 Day One Angler Only $325
Full Day One Angler Only $500
