Just finished up a Two-Hearted 4wt case today, carved with the Black River basin of Northern Michigan, and really happy with how it turned out. I don’t get many requests for the Black River, but it’s such a beautiful watershed — always a pleasure to bring it to life in the old barn wood.

We’re excited to support Lakeshore Trout Unlimited #lakeshoretu and their 2026 Annual Fundraiser by donating one of our handcrafted Toasting Boxes, along with a few hats and some extra goodies. If you’re in northern Wisconsin and looking for a great group doing important work for coldwater conservation, consider getting involved. You can learn more andContinue reading "Support For Lakeshore TU"

Are you out on the water enjoying Lake Superior’s legendary fishing? What if your next catch could do even more — not just be a great fight, but help scientists unlock the secrets of one of the lake’s most iconic fish? Trout Unlimited is inviting anglers like you to volunteer for a Coaster Brook Trout genetics project that couldContinue reading "Do you fish Lake Superior and its Tributaries? Join The Coaster Genetics Project"

J.A. Henry announces the release of The 1653, an 8-foot, 6-weight Tonkin bamboo split cane fly rod handcrafted for anglers who value classic feel with confident performance. Built from premium Tonkin cane, the rod delivers a smooth, progressive action with the power to handle larger flies and demanding water. In keeping with our conservation values, the sale of RodContinue reading "J.A. Henry Introduces New 8′ 6wt Tonkin Bamboo Split Cane Fly Rod"

Our Holy Waters Map just got a thoughtful update—one that leans even further into craftsmanship and character. The new design features a reworked frame with vintage cross-corner detailing, giving the piece a more timeless feel. Each frame is built from 1.5" thick timbers reclaimed from an old telephone pole, carrying decades of history into every mapContinue reading "Our “Holy Waters” Map Has A New Look!"

The "Coaster" hat: $20 (free shipping) - This cap is built for long days on the water—or anywhere your adventures take you. Featuring a beautiful patch created by a West Michigan artist and avid fly fisherman, it’s named for the Coaster Brook Trout of Lake Superior (Salvelinus fontinalis). Simple, durable, and built to age beautifully,Continue reading "New headgear now available!"

J.A. Henry is proud to support the Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited 2026 Fundraising Banquet this April with the donation of two handcrafted pieces made from reclaimed Michigan materials. One of the items J.A. Henry is donating is the Holy Waters Map, carved from reclaimed White Pine siding salvaged from an old Michigan barn. The map is framedContinue reading "J.A. Henry Donations Supporting Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited – 2026 Annual Banquet"

We've got some new designs and new headgear currently in production. Here is a few of our new designs. We should have them ready by late November. All our email subscribers will get a 30% discount on all our new hats - stay tuned!

Exploring the Mystery of Salmon, Steelhead, and the Wanderlust of Coaster Brook Trout There’s something deeply poetic about a salmon’s return. Even here in the Great Lakes — far from the Pacific tides where their ancestors once swam — Chinook, Coho, and Steelhead still surge up the same tributaries each fall, driven by an instinctContinue reading "Why Some Fish Come Home — and Others Don’t"

Among fly anglers and conservationists, few words stir more confusion—and concern—than Didymo. Officially known as Didymosphenia geminata, this stalk-forming freshwater diatom (a type of algae) can form thick, wool-like mats across the bottom of rivers and streams. When it blooms, Didymo can coat cobbles and gravel with dense brown growths that resemble wet tissue or felt—earning it the nicknameContinue reading "Didymo: A Summary of What We Know—and Don’t Know—About the “Rock Snot” of Coldwater Streams"

There’s a special rhythm to a bamboo fly rod — the subtle spring of the cane, the warmth beneath your fingers, and the effortless harmony it creates between angler and water. The Two-Hearted Bamboo from J.A. Henry Rod & Reel Co. honors that timeless craftsmanship. We’ve been humbled by the response to this rod — our firstContinue reading "The Two-Hearted Bamboo: Reserve Yours Today"

This fall has been one for the books here in West Michigan. The colors are as vivid as ever, but the rivers are running thinner than we’ve seen in years. The long stretch of dry weather has left many of our favorite waters calm, clear, and whisper-quiet—conditions that ask more from an angler than anyContinue reading "Low Water, High Reward: How to Fish West Michigan’s Dry Autumn Rivers"

Streamer Season is Here!All October long, when you purchase any J.A. Henry Fly Rod, you’ll score a FREE premium Leather Fly Wallet loaded with three of our favorite Circus Peanut Streamers. Gear up now and make every cast count! SHOP

At J.A. Henry Rod & Reel Co., craftsmanship has always gone hand-in-hand with conservation. From the start, we set out to build fly rods & cases that honor tradition while helping protect the waters and fish we love. Today, we’re proud to share an important milestone on that journey: together with our loyal customers, weContinue reading "A Milestone Worth Celebrating: $10,000 Raised for TU’s Coaster Initiative"

*UPDATE 9/10/25: All but one of our Two-Hearted Bamboo Rods have been sold to raise money for TU's Coaster Initiative except for Rod 001. This special rod will be available in December 2025 as a special fund-raising event. Thank you to everyone who donated to Trout Unlimited!!!Cast with Purpose: Support Coaster Brook Trout Research InContinue reading "Cast With A Purpose! We are Gifting the Two-Hearted Bamboo Fly Rod In Exchange For A Donation to Trout Unlimited’s Coaster Initiative"