The Reuben Wood, Fiberglass small stream short fly rod

The Story of the Reuben Wood    

Ever used a fiberglass fly rod? I've always loved fiberglass. I especially fell in love with the old Fenwick fiberglass fly rods; particularly the old Fenwick 'Fenglass' rods. Currently, I own two that I've built myself along with two originals I've restored. 

What do you like most about fishing with fiberglass? I like fishing with fiberglass fly rods because I don't catch a lot of big fish! Catching medium-sized fish on fiberglass is a great deal of fun! Casting fiberglass differs from casting graphite. It's slower,it's slightly heavier, and it requires a uniquely different casting stroke. What a great experience! Enter… The Reuben Wood fiberglass fly rod. 

Do you love fishing small streams? Many years ago I developed the concept of the Beaver Meadow small stream fly rod. I always thought the Beaver Meadow should be made with fiberglass. Fiberglass roll casts easily because it bends so easily.  

Fiberglass is known for its' smooth, short casts, and minimal effort to load the rod when casting. Fiberglass is also extremely durable and it bends a great deal with a minimal amount of resistance. It's great fun for small fish.  

Why make a fiberglass rod with old style nickel ferrules? Are you a traditionalist at heart? The Reuben Wood is traditional technology enhanced with the latest components! It's fun to build… and it's fun to FISH! If you possess similar attachments to classic cars and classic songs as I do, it's what I affectionately call a 'throw back' or 'retro' fly rod. Think Ford's Mustang, Chevy's re-release of the Camaro, George Strait and               Jimmy Buffett. You get the idea. Tradition. 

What inspired the Rube's look? I have a friend in Germany who only buys BMWs.   They must be black. "Black is timeless," says Wolfgang. The Adirondack guide boats of the 1930s were always black. A visit to the Adirondack Museum or the boathouse at the Adirondack League Club proves this true. So we decided to make the Reuben Wood in black to echo these same, classic traditions. Johnny Cash black. Great style never dies. 

Did you notice the retro JP Ross crest logo? Introducing the Crest in 2010 centers around the Reuben Wood launch. Its' old school, crusader-style look represents the fit and finish of the Reuben Wood. The accompanying featured JP Ross Reuben Wood classic red hat completes the retro look. 

Want all the goods on The Rube? The Reuben Wood is exclusively a 6' 2 piece only.  It has a slow action. It's available in only one taper. The Reuben Wood fishes well with a 2 weight to 5 weight, preferably triangle taper fly line. The 2 weight line is recommended for distance, while a 5 weight line for short, small stream casting. The slow, progressive action of the Reuben Wood allows you to effectively fish many different line weights. 

The Rube's trimmed out with a rope knurl downlock reel seat made of solid nickel silver. It has a solid wood insert of variable wood species. The Rube possesses the JP Ross crest etching on the butt cap. The brook trout sketched by me, and beautifully engraved on the wood barrel captures the essence of the JP Ross brand.  

You know it's all in the details… 

The Rube has a 6" flor grade cork grip, cigar-shaped. It has a retractable hook keeper. The Rube possesses hand tuned, machined, solid nickel silver ferrules. This special   fly rod has simple black wraps and comes in a mill finish rod tube with retro-style, solid brass cap, collar, and bottom. The rod tube also has the JP Ross crest etched on  the case cap.  

The signature JP Ross multiple feather inlay on the Reuben Wood adds the final distinction. The Reuben Wood is a limited production custom fly rod from JP Ross.

Watch a video on the Reuben wood with more photos and product details.

See proof that the Reuben Wood small stream fiberglass fly rod can land a 27lb King Salmon...

 Email us if you have any questions.

 here is some positive feed back from some satisfied customers about the Rebuen Wood Small Stream Fiberglass Fly Rod  Thanks Guys.

California Trout Edition small stream fiberglass fly rod

On March 6th, California Trout will host its 2011 Trout Gala.  There you will find the special edition JP Ross Cal Trout edition fly rod as a donation to their great organization and mission.

A few years ago I met Joel and Doug at a cowboy bar  in California.  I was visiting Northern Cal because of my day job as a thermal materials specialist and friend and Colleague of Joel Merten of Recht Associates.  In this brief meeting I learned about California Trout and all they do for their region and protecting wild native trout.  This link provides a great example of one of their campaigns.

This year Joel and I decided we wanted to do something for the organization, so after a another meeting in Silicon Valley I returned home to find a check and a note from Joel.  "These are buddies of mine, and this is a great group, lets do something" he said.  So from this came the Cal Trout Reuben Wood. 

I chose the Reuben Wood for the Gala simply because it is not normal.  People will see other rods there but they will not see a 6 foot 2 piece fiberglass fly rod with nickle silver ferrules.  Who makes a rod like that when there is high tech carbon fiber everywhere?  Well, we do? 

The rod is 6 foot and like any other Reuben Wood, it will take anything from a 2 weight to a 5 weight, depending on the distance you want to cast.

• 10-15 feet: 5 weight line
• 15-25 feet: 4 weight line
• 25-40 feet: 3 weight line
• 50 feet plus: 2-3 weight line

In addition to making this rod for California Trout as a special edition donation, JP Ross will also be selling this rod and donating 20% of its revenue to Cal Trout.  The rod will sell for $450.00 and $90.00 of every rod sold will be returned to Cal Trout. 

At JP Ross, we are strong advocates for clean water and preserving native fish.  We especially have a strong love for Brook Trout.  Sometimes we North Eastern Adirondack Fly Fisherman forget about the cutthroat trout and the golden trout of the western states.  That is why I think it is important that we do this.  It is a chance for us to support California Trout and also expose ourselves to new native fish and native fish protection programs. 

I hope to fish with these guys this year and catch a golden trout on a Reuben Wood 6 foot Fiberglass Fly Rod.

Good Luck Guys.

Buy your Cal Trout Rod here: $450.00 with custom inscription.