Boyd Rod Company, Harry Boyd, Jr. - Hand Built Bamboo Flyrods

Pricing Philosophy

Pricing Philosophy

Making bamboo fly rods is an enjoyable passion for me. Each rod requires 50 - 80 hours of my time. I might easily spend that time in more economically profitable pursuits, but none would be quite so satisfying. Only faith and family are more important to me. Every rod is made to the highest standards I can attain.

From start to finish, no shortcuts are taken. The demand for precision and quality means a limited number of rods leave the shop each year. I strictly limit the demands on my time so that the temptation to cut corners never arises.

Quality work demands that no compromises are made in materials. Tonkin cane is carefully selected for each individual rod. Only the finest nickel silver hardware and ferrules I can make are used. Select hardwoods are used for reel seat fillers, each individually turned in my shop. Cork grips are hand-formed from the finest cork rings and custom shaped for each rod. Only the finest silks are used to wrap the best guides available.

My rod making specialty is three-fold. First, powerful, medium to medium-fast rods that fit today's casting styles and fishing requirements. Second, very light line bamboo rods in two and three weight Payne 101 formats. The tips are so fine on these rods that many modern makers are
reluctant to attempt making them. Third, hollow built rods have become so popular that about 1/3 of my rods are built hollow.

The heart of a good rod is its taper. Though I have developed my own tasts in rods and build only on my own tapers, much is owed to the classic tapers of Payne, Leonard, Young and Dickerson. I know my rods well; let me help you choose one you will enjoy.

I'm accepting orders for 2010. I offer three levels of rod pricing, which begin at $725 for the Dry Run Creek Special; an introductory rod for those who seek an affordable, entry level bamboo rod. As with all my rods, I use the best available Tonkin bamboo. The bamboo is deeply flamed. The reel seat is an aluminum slide band with cork or straight grained wood filler. Ferrules are top quality nickel silver. The grip is a cigar style. Wraps are deep red with no tipping. This rod is only available in a 7 foot four weight, and a 7.5 foot five weight. It is two pieces, has a single tip, and comes with a cloth bag and a PVC tube.

The BRC (Boyd Rod Company) Classic is available in a variety of actions and configurations from six foot two weights through eight and a half foot six weights. Most BRC Classic models seven feet six inches or longer are also available in three piece format. The BRC Classic rods feature two tips with book matched nodes, and medium flamed cane. Mildrum stripping guides and custom shop made BRC nickel silver reel seat slide band hardware with unique burled cherry and maple fillers are standard on BRC Classic rods. Wraps are of the finest translucent silks in the traditional colors of Leonard red, Payne-like brown, or invisible clear wraps. Nickel silver ferrules are made in my shop and are brightly polished. Cork grips are in standard sizes and shapes appropriate to each rod. Custom bags with embroidered BRC logos, and logo'd aluminum tubes are standard for BRC Classic rods. Two piece BRC Classics are $1450. Three piece BRC Classics are $1750.

Custom Series rods have been my forte' for more than a dozen years. Custom Series rods are available from six feet to eight and a half feet for lines two through eight. The input of each client is sought in every design aspect of the Custom Series, from cane and wrap colors to hardwood fillers to grip sizes and shapes. Elm engraved reel seat

   Custom series rods smaller than eight foot six weights feature shop made nickel silver downsliding reel seat hardware. Chemically blackening of all nickel silver components is an available option. Rods eight feet in length and for line weights six and heavier may feature downlocking threaded seats as well.
   Stripping guides are banded agate or other semi-precious stones. Wraps are chose to coordinate the color scheme of the entire package. Custom Series two piece rods are $1695. Three piece Custom Series rods are $1995.
   Hollow building offers lighter weight without sacrificing strength for 7' 6" 4 weight and larger rods. I hollow each section from butt to tip, and use internal tapers to make these rods great casters. Add $300 for hollow built rods.

Every Harry Boyd rod comes with a logo'd "Boyd Rod Company" cap, rod care instructions, and an emergency rod care kit. The cap is cotton and is best suited for warm weather wear. Orders may be placed by email maker@canerods.com, or by calling me at (318) 435-5476 or (318) 282-1825. I ask for a $250 deposit. Rods are are always made in the order the deposit is received. A completed rod is typically delivered six months from the time it is ordered, though that time varies. When the order is received I try to give a realistic estimate of delivery time. The balance is due when the rod is completed, before the rod is shipped. If the balance due on the rod is not paid within 45 days I will sell the rod to someone else.
Cap

Every rod I make comes with my complete guarantee of satisfaction. Though I can't offer the marketing gimmick of a lifetime warranty, I promise to stand behind my rods. If you break your rod, I'll repair it. Repair charges are determined case by case, and I will try to keep them as low as possible. As of Fall 2009 I have made over 180 rods and had only two repairs. Both of those were due to rod owner's mishaps. I have yet to charge anyone for a repair, though I hold that option open.

Harry Boyd
1211 Newman Street
Winnsboro, Louisiana 71295
email: maker@canerods.com