All Swift River rods are made on heat tempered, medium brown, flamed cane hand split from select culms. The node pattern is random spiral unless otherwise noted and they are coated with two coats of hand rubbed tung oil before wrapping and sealed with two final coats of spar urethane. Each rod model has its own signature wrap and comes complete with rod bag and tube. They are out-fitted with CSE ferrules and reel seats by CSE and Bellinger. Rod tapers are based on the work of Thomas, Edwards, Payne, Leonard and Young. These tapers result from hours of testing actions and characteristics in the hope that you will find each rod to be a fine casting instrument, finished according to the highest standards, and capable of providing a life time of enjoyable fishing. Modifications to standard features are made on request. Federal excise tax included in price.

As of 2009 2/2 models are priced at $1150, 3/2 models at $1225 and 4/2 models at $1300

Available Models

Smidge: 6’4”, 2/2, 4 weight. Inspired by the Young and Leonard midge rods of the 60s this rod is a semi-parabolic taper with both accuracy and range. It has a #11 ferrule and is finished with a dual ring, all cork reel seat, a 5 1/2 inch cigar grip, oxidized hardware, and olive green wraps.

Swift: 6’ 8”, 2/2, 3 weight. My favorite rod, made for small streams and pocket water and designed for close-in fishing, roll casting and precise placement of flies within fifteen to forty feet. It is based on an F.E. Thomas taper acknowledged as perhaps the finest casting three weight ever. The reel seat is a cap and ring with cedar spacer. It has a gracefully swelled butt, hexagonal winding check, agate stripping guide, # 10 ferrule and reverse twist snake guides. The silk wraps are antique gold with cinnamon trim.

Sienna: 7’, 2/2, 3 weight. A spring creek rod designed for delicate presentations, the Sienna is in the F.E. Thomas Browntone tradition. The hardware is oxidized, the reel seat spacer fashioned from a redwood burl, and the silk wraps are sienna brown. The rod has a delicate dry fly action while the gracefully swelled butt gives it some reserve power. It has a # 10 ferrule, an 8 mm Mildrum stripping guide, and bronzed reverse twist snake guides. It is a rod with a real sense of finesse that makes casting a true pleasure.

Salient: 7’6”, 2/2, 4 weight. Inspired by the Leonard Hunt rods, the Salient may well be considered the signature taper for Swift River. It is a rod with subtlety, sensitivity and reserve power. The medium action is designed for all around use. It has an oxidized slide-band reel seat with butternut or maple spacer, fish tail grip, translucent olive wraps with wine or black trim. Leonard style ferrules and 3/3 node pattern pay homage to its origins. The snake guides and tips are bronzed but all other hardware is oxidized.

Sierra: 7'6", 4/2, 5 weight. This revised model is now made as a 4 piece pack rod. It is based on the Leonard Hunt style and has a medium-fast action designed to ply small to mid-sized streams with fast powerful water, place a fly with speed and accuracy, pick up a long line and quickly recast. It has the backbone to move a good fish across moving water. The 3/3 node pattern, darker cane, rose colored silk wraps, and oxidized ferrules all reflect the Hunt tradition. It can be made with either an oxidized slide ban or bright screw-locking reel seat.

Solace: 7'6", 3/2, 4/5 weight. This model, like the larger Sojourn, is based on a graceful and responsive E.W. Edwards taper with good reserve power. It is finished with translucent olive green silk wraps, oxidized CSE Super Swiss ferrules, a half -wells grip and a cap and ring reel seat with cedar or butternnut spacer. It has an agate stripping guide and size 15 and 9 ferrules.

Sophist: 7’6” and 7’9”, 2/2, 5 weight. These two semi-parabolic models are based on the Paul Young Perfectionist and Payne Parabolic tapers. They provide excellent range and control for all-around use. The silk guide wraps are a deep burgundy, the hardware is oxidized, and the reel seat is up-locking with cork spacer. As the name implies they are rods for experienced casters with well-developed tastes. This model is usually made on cane blanks from Hal Bacon, former owner of the Payne Rod Co.

Sojourn: 8’, 3/2, 4/5 weight. An eight-foot, five-weight has long been considered the best all-around trout rod. This one is based on a taper by E.W. Edwards to emphasize casting ease, distance and accuracy with that graceful point and shoot feel by which good cane rods win converts. It is finished with brown silk wraps and gold trim, size 15 and 10 oxidized nickel silver ferrules, reverse twist guides, and an up-locking reel seat with cedar spacer.

Spectrum: 8', 2/2, 4/5 weight. This rod is based on the Payne 102L taper. It has a moderate parabolic feel and a very long reach. Like Payne rods it has a spiral node pattern and medium brown cane a 12/64 ferrule like the original from which it is modeled. It has an up-locking reel seat with Payne style grip, oxidized ferrules, and bronzed English twist snake guides. It is designed for all around trout fishing and well suited to a full range of fly from dries to nymphs. The action is moderate and very forgiving and is a fine rod for both beginners and experienced anglers wanting a single rod for many applications.

Sentinel: 8'6", 3/2, 5 weight. This rod is designed as an all around rod for larger waters as well as for nymphing and wet fly fishing when better reach and line control are important. It is also based an a E.W. Edwards taper with a classic medium action and has a moderately swelled butt hidden inside the grip to dampen the action and yet allow for a full flexing progressive action along the length of the rod. It is finished with bright nickel-silver CSE ferrules, an up-locking reel seat, a reversed half-wells grip and gold translucent wraps with olive trim.

Swift River Swift Model

Early Sienna Model

A Few Words on Swift River blanks:

Over the years I have used different methods for making cane blanks, seeking an approach that allowed me to work with the cane in a way I found most rewarding. I have made some blanks by hand planning and some with mills or bevelers. Some blanks and sections I have had made for me, to my specifications. The tapers for my rods are my own, derived from classic tapers and based on extensive testing of tapers and actions. In 2000 I purchased a Morgan Hand Mill and found that it allowed consistency and a relationship to the cane that I truely enjoy. But as of 2008, due to time constraints and limited space for new equipment, most of my blanks will be made on a beveler owned by another maker with whom I have worked closely over the years. They are still my own selected tapers and every blank meets the same high standards of quality. Rod making is a competitive business and all makers use different methods to create a good product, fairly priced.

A Note from a Customer:

Just wanted to drop you a quick note to tell you that the Swift River Swift finally got a real test and came through with straight A's. I used it on my annual trip to Montana this month. I got our guide to take us to an unpressured Brookie stream in Yellowstone Park. We hiked about 50 minutes and then worked back toward the road. It was all wet wading and we never saw another fisherman. After seven hours, three flies and an unplanned dive into the creek, we called it a day. The results: 112 Brookies, the largest nearly 12". The rod was fantastic!! The guide, Matt Long , tried it at my urging. He was impressed! And I was ecstatic. The SWS moves to the position as my favorite rod. Now, I need one to use on those spring creeks. Thanks for the perfect rod!

Regards, Lee Alexander

Lee's rod is pictured at the top of this page and he is happy to exchange email with interested buyers.

Restored Eustice Edwards rod on which the Swift River Sojurn model is based