Our historic bamboo fly rod project is taking shape—and we’re getting closer to putting this remarkable piece of fly-fishing history into someone’s hands.
On July 30, we announced one of the most exciting projects we’ve undertaken at J.A. Henry Rod & Reel Co.—the recreation of the legendary bamboo fly rod used by Dr. J.W. Cook to land his world-record 14.8-pound Brook Trout on Ontario’s Nipigon River in 1915.
Our goal was ambitious: to recreate the character and appearance of this historic 9-foot, 4-inch bamboo rod while incorporating modern rod-building techniques to produce something truly special—a beautiful, highly functional fly rod capable of pursuing both trout and steelhead on the waters of the Great Lakes.
Today, we’re excited to share that the project is well underway, and the rod is really beginning to come to life!
The Bamboo Blank Is Complete!
Perhaps the biggest milestone is that the bamboo rod blank is now finished!
A very special thank-you goes to renowned bamboo rod builder Ron Barch, whose expertise, craftsmanship, and guidance have been invaluable throughout the design and construction of the blank. Ron has been instrumental in helping us bring this historic project to life, and we’re grateful for his continued partnership.
While our inspiration comes from a rod built more than 110 years ago, we never intended to create a museum piece. Instead, we’ve combined the appearance and spirit of Dr. Cook’s original rod with modern bamboo rod-building techniques and a wonderful steelhead taper.
The result is a rod that we believe will be every bit as enjoyable to fish as it is to admire. Whether pursuing wild Brook Trout or swinging flies for Great Lakes steelhead, this rod is being built to perform.
History may have inspired this rod, but it’s being built to fish!
A Unique Reel Seat With a Touch of Artistic License
Another exciting milestone is the completion of the reel seat.
During our visit to the Nipigon Museum this past May, we had the rare opportunity to examine Dr. Cook’s original rod up close, carefully documenting its construction and unique details.
For our recreation, we wanted to honor the character of the original steel reel seat while allowing ourselves a little artistic freedom. The result is a custom-designed steel reel seat that differs slightly from Dr. Cook’s original but adds a distinctive touch of craftsmanship and personality to the finished rod.
It’s one of those small details that we think will make this rod especially memorable.
Wrapping the Guides and Bringing It All Together
With the bamboo blank and reel seat completed, we’ve now begun the process of wrapping the guides onto the rod.
This is always one of my favorite stages of building a bamboo fly rod. After months of planning, designing, and working with individual components, the rod finally begins to take on its finished appearance.
Each guide is carefully positioned and wrapped, bringing us another step closer to completing this one-of-a-kind tribute to fly-fishing history.
The Perfect Reel for a Historic Rod
Of course, a rod this special deserves an equally special reel.
We’ve purchased a beautiful 1939 Hardy Bouglé Heritage Fly Reel to accompany the finished rod.
The Hardy Bouglé is a modern interpretation of one of fly fishing’s classic reel designs, and we think it’s a wonderful complement to the historic character of Dr. Cook’s rod.
With its traditional styling, beautiful craftsmanship, and modern functionality, it’s exactly the kind of reel we envisioned when this project began.
Together, the rod and reel will create an outfit that celebrates the rich history of fly fishing while remaining completely at home on today’s trout and steelhead rivers.
A $4,000 Donation That Will Help Bring Back the Coasters
As exciting as the craftsmanship and history behind this project may be, its most important purpose remains unchanged.
This entire project is about helping restore wild Coaster Brook Trout to the Great Lakes.
We expect to have the completed rod and reel outfit ready by December 1, 2026, and we’re offering this one-of-a-kind creation as a gift to an individual willing to make a $4,000 direct donation to Trout Unlimited’s Coaster Initiative.
The donation will go directly to Trout Unlimited in support of its efforts to restore and protect native Coaster Brook Trout populations.
There is something particularly meaningful about using a recreation of Dr. Cook’s legendary Nipigon rod to help support the future of these remarkable fish.
More than a century ago, the Nipigon River produced the largest Brook Trout ever recorded. Today, we’re working to help ensure that wild Coaster Brook Trout once again become a thriving part of the Lake Superior watershed, including the rivers and shorelines of Northern Michigan.
We can’t think of a more fitting purpose for this rod.
We’re Getting Close!
There’s still work to be done. The guide wrapping needs to be completed, the finishing touches applied, and the entire outfit prepared for its final presentation. The rod and reel will also be housed in a handcrafted display case made from reclaimed Michigan barn wood.
But we’re getting close, and we’re incredibly excited about how everything is coming together.
If you’re interested in making the $4,000 donation to Trout Unlimited’s Coaster Initiative and receiving this truly one-of-a-kind bamboo fly rod and Hardy reel outfit, we’d love to hear from you.
For additional information about the project, the rod, or how to participate, please contact us at jahenryusa@gmail.com.
We look forward to sharing the completed rod with you in the coming weeks.
One legendary fish. One historic rod. One opportunity to help bring the Coasters back.
J.A. Henry Rod & Reel Co.