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 finished with several coats of hand rubbed tung oil and sealed with two final coats of spar urethane. Each rod model has its own signature wrap and comes complete with ferrule plugs, rod bag and tube. I use CSE ferrules and reel seats by CSE and Bellinger. Rod tapers are derived from the work of Thomas, Edwards, Payne, Young and Leonard. These tapers result from hours of testing rod 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 can be made on request. Federal excise tax is included in rod price.

Available Models

Smidge: 6’4”, 2/2, 4 weight. Inspired by the Paul Young and the 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 brown wraps in the Young tradition. $875

Swift: 6’ 8”, 2/2, 3 weight. 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, Mildrum stripping guide, # 10 ferrule and reverse twist snake guides. The silk wraps are antique gold with cinnamon trim. $875

Sienna: 7’, 2/2, 3 weight. A spring creek rod designed for delicate presentations, the Sienna is a rod in the F.E. Thomas Browntone tradition. The hardware is oxidized, the reel seat spacer is 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. $875

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 up-locking reel seat with walnut or redwood spacer, Payne style grip, translucent olive wraps with wine and 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. $925

Sierra: 7'6", 3/2, 5 weight. Also based on the Leonard Hunt style rods this slightly faster, stronger taper is designed to ply mid-sized streams with fast powerful water where you need to place a fly with speed and accuracy, pick up a long line and quickly recast to a feeding fish and it has the backbone to move a good fish across moving water. It has the Leonard 3/3 node pattern, darker cane, rose colored silk wraps, oxidized Leonard style ferrules, and comes with either slide ban or screw-locking reel seat. $925

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 anglers with well-developed tastes. $925

Sojourn: 8’, 3/2, 3 1/2 oz. 5 weight. An eight-foot, five-weight has long been considered the best all-around trout rod. This one is based on tapers by FE Thomas and EW 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, bright nickel silver ferrules, bronzed reverse twist guides, and an up-locking reel seat with maple spacer. $925

Spectrum: 8', 2/2, 5 weight. This rod is designed on the Payne 102 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 Payne style ferrules, and bronzed English twist snake guides like all Swift River Rods. 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. $875

Early Sienna Model

A Few Words on Swift River blanks:

Over the years I have tried to find which methods work best and allow me to work with the cane in the way I find most rewarding. I have made some blanks by hand planning and some on a beveller. Some blanks I have had made for me, to my specifications. The tapers for my rods are based on extensive testing of classic tapers and actions. A few years ago I purchased a Morgan Hand Mill and found that it allows consistentcy yet offers a relationship to the cane that I find rewarding. But as of 2008 most of my blanks will be made on a beveler in order to save time. Every blank I produce meets the same 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.