Mark Ruhe (of Spokane, WA) custom-built the blanks for this rod for me in 1999. It is an 8.5’ 3/2 5-weight rod with the taper coming from one of Mark’s Phillipson rods. It exhibits Marks perfect cane work, spiral node spacing, and light flaming with a pleasant carmel color. The Super-Z style ferrules were made, oxidized and installed by Mark, and the machined aluminum ferrule plugs were also made my Mark. I finished out the blank by hand-turning the 6" cork grip from fluor-grade cork rings, installing a Robert Venneri screw downlock oxidized reel seat with a burl cherry spacer, and installing Snake Brand tiptops, snake guides, and an agate stripping guide. I used Persall’s Gossamer Java Brown silk wraps tipped black at all wraps, and three coats of dipped Varmor R-10 urathane varnish. The bag and tube also came from Mark. This rod weighs 4.9 ounces on my postal scale, and casts a DT-5 line with a wonderful medium action. While I did the finish work on this rod almost 10 years ago, it has only been fished maybe a dozen times, and is in excellent condition. The ferrules fit perfectly with a distinct “pop” when separated, and all sections are arrow-straight (no sets). The finish work is very nice and shouldn’t disappoint anyone. The rod does have my name written on one of the flats just above the grip. I’m selling it for $395, plus $20 shipping/insurance. Please contact me at: castafly@sbcglobal.net
Not familiar with Mark Ruhe. Can you tell us a little more about him and his work ?? I mean, it looks like you two did a great job on this blank / rod but I think it would help if you could give us some background information to consider on a purchase of this nature.
Also, if you don’t mind - what is the name on the blank. If you do not want to disclose it publicly, please send me a PM.
Thanks.
John
P.S. Somebody please buy this great looking rod before I have to make a decision about it. PLEASE.
Mark Ruhe is a bamboo rod builder from Spokane, Washington. His business was called “Bitterroot Rods,” and he built rods primarily in the 1990’s on a full time basis. He is featured in one of the first issues of the now defunct “Bamboo Fly Rod” magazine. Mark’s rods rarely come up for sale as they are prized by their owners. His work is outstanding. I was lucky enough to have him build a couple of blanks for me in the late 1990’s. I don’t believe Mark builds rods anymore (at least on a full-time basis).
This is a great rod and I’m sure the new owner will thoroughly enjoy it!
That is one beautiful rod. I love the red windings tipped in black, the anodized ferrules and the agate stripper. The price seems more than fair also. Shame I’m not in the market for a good 4/5/6 wt., in 8 1/2 ft. Someone outghta snatch this thing.
