RKP Cane Rods LLC

Trout rods made of the best Tonkin cane available, planed to exacting tolerances, finished with high quality hardware components, 6/0 silk thread, and dip finish.   I do the tread work, finish the wraps, and then dip the rod.

At $950.00 for new standard rod my prices are competitive.  Special requests may add to the base price.  Each rod is made by me - I hand split and plane the cane - your rod is fabricated utilizing best rod making practices and devices.  This takes time and effort, all the hardware and components not fabricated by me come from well-known and reputable sources.   There are no shortcuts in my shop.  A rod you can use the rest of your life and pass on to your son or grandson is my goal.   I don't make collector pieces - these rods are made to fish.   Give me a call and we can discuss what you want and put a price on it.    

All rods come with sock, and tube.

The good news is I like to repair and rebuild rods.  The bad news is many old rods are just not worth doing much with from a value perspective.  However, If you have a rod that means something to you because it was your dads or a favorite uncles, and you want it repaired or rebuilt, cost may not be the primary consideration.   Or - If you have a bamboo rod you like, or want to fish bamboo but don't want to invest in a new rod, having an old rod fixed up may be something for you to consider.

There are two ways to deal with an old rod:
1.  Make it good enough to hang on the wall.  
2.  Make it ready to fish.   
Almost any rod can be prettied up well enough to hang on the wall as a remembrance of the good times with Uncle Mervin, and it can usually be done at a relatively reasonable cost.  On the other hand returning an old rod to fishing condition can be much more problematic and costly.   An evaluation of the rod is needed to determine what needs to be done and make a cost estimate.  

I don't ordinarily do restoration work on investment quality collector rods.  There are folks who specialize in that kind of work and have the patience to look for the right thread and hardware to bring the rod back to original condition and configuration - they are artists and gentlemen and I wish them luck.  But life is too short.

If you have a rod you want worked on give me a call or e-mail and we can discuss it.  Please don't send a rod until we have talked. 

Business stuff:  Payment is due when the work is complete.  When I receive payment I will mail the rod to you.  Completion notification will be by return receipt mail and/or delivery verified E-mail.   If payment is not received or arrangements made and documented 90 days from the date of the completion notification the rods will be sold or otherwise disposed of. 

Rod making based on your desires.  If you want to learn rod making from the ground up, if you want to learn wrapping and finishing, if you want to learn rod repair and rebuilding I will create a workshop to meet your needs.  

Workshops are conducted in Lovells Michigan.  The rod shop is 580 square foot - heated, comfortable, and fully equipped for cane rod making. I have a large supply of cane, and while glue is drying we
can do things like turn and finish reel seat inserts, make ferrule plugs, and winding checks. Instruction is one on one and I will continue to be available to offer advice and assistance after the workshop.

Lodging is up to you, I can offer recommendations.  Depending on the time of year, there are a variety of lodging choices in the area including Fuller's North Branch Outing Club.   

If this approach to Rod Making interests you, we can discuss what you want to learn and structure a workshop to meets your needs.  Since this is not a canned workshop, there is not a canned price.  
Once we determine what you want, I will provide you the cost.  While I don't work cheap - I do make every effort to be competitive and deliver the best workshop and the lowest cost possible.  I want
you to learn the skills and knowledge you expect, and be willing to recommend this workshop to your friends.