What constitutes classic tackle? Are classics simply artifacts from the last century, or does that title connote something more?
The H.L. Leonard Rod Company did not create the first ever fly rod from split bamboo, but they are considered the fountainhead of classic bamboo rodmaking in America. Founder Hiram Leonard revolutionized the craft with his marvelous machine, the beveler, bringing a new precision to a hand craft industry. His innovations allowed the growth of his business, and he showed impressive judgement in assembling a cadre of talented craftsmen to make the rods his fame created a demand for. Leonard, Thomas, Edwards, Hawes and Payne comprise the pantheon of classic rodmakers, each eventually leading their own companies and partnerships to the top of the art.
Of all the heralded Leonard fly rods, the model 50 DF became their most revered and highest selling. It grew from the Catskill beginnings of dry fly fishing in America and today defines classic in bamboo trout rods. As dry fly fishing grew, the 50 DF was refined, its tapers modified to meet the demands of new generations of fly casters. Late in the company’s history, a rodmaker named Tom Maxwell came to Leonard to supervise their rod shop.
Maxwell was one of the “two Toms” who revitalized bamboo rodmaking after synthetic tackle had taken the lion’s share of the market. Maxwell and his brother-in-law partner Tom Dorsey called their venture Thomas & Thomas, and became known for uncompromising craftsmanship and gorgeous fishing instruments.
At Leonard, Tom Maxwell set about polishing the legendary name of H.L. Leonard and bringing their rods back to the epitome of the industry. He quickened tapers and rod actions, and set higher standards for rod finishing during his short tenure, modernizing the classic rods including the 50 DF. Last May, I acquired one of the 50 DF fly rods made during Tom Maxwell’s reign, and it is a powerful casting instrument, equal in performance potential to the highly touted graphite rods of it’s era yet offering the grace and control of traditional bamboo. It may be rightfully called a modern classic.
In early 2021, I learned of Vlad Rechenko and his company VR Design. A Ukranian aerospace engineer and fly angler, Vlad had made his mark in fly fishing by designing and machining amazingly beautiful and functional fly reels from titanium. He offered a new design for a traditional trout reel, the 3″ diameter Trutta Perfetta, machined from aluminum and thus priced in reach of most serious fly anglers. I ordered a reel that winter and paired it with a custom rod designed for me by Sweetgrass Rods. Enamored of the Perfetta’s quality and performance, I waited for Vlad to introduce a larger model for 5 and 6 weight lines and rods. Several weeks ago, I saw his announcement that the first small batch of 3-1/2″ Trutta Perfetta reels was available and I ordered one immediately. Thank you, Vlad for another modern classic!
Pairing these two amazing pieces of tackle was inevitable, and like my original Trutta and Sweetgrass, a beautiful Catskill June morning would be the scene. I found a rapid reach of river to meet the challenge of distance and control amid strong, gusty winds. The 50 DF laid my little size 16 olives gently upon the frothy currents despite the buffeting the Red Gods unleashed, and the Trutta Perfetta controlled the rushes of the big, wise brown trout in deep, fast, rocky water. Reel makers have fashioned spring and pawl drags for well more than a century, many allowing some adjustment. Rachenko has designed his own version, offering perfect resistance without need of adjustment. Perhaps the ball bearing smoothness of his design is responsible, or his asymmetrical pawl. Whatever it is, his reel is matchless for smoothness and control with light leaders and heavy trout!
Brown trout exceeding twenty inches have been scarce this season, with too many lost fishing days, and compromised hatches and water levels. I appreciated this one, a perfect foil to christen my new pairing of classic tackle!
Bright Waters Catskill 