Luke Bannister FLY RODS
Luke Bannister lives in Cornwall in the U.K. where he makes very modern english bamboo rods, using traditional methods. His rods are hollow built, hand planed and split and superbly crafted and finished.
The "Superfast" rod series is based on legendary english angler, Richard Walker's design principles and has been grabbing the attention of a number of well respected fishing and casting guru's here in the UK.
Luke has a growing and loyal customer base amongst a whole new generation of fly fishers who are discovering the joys of fishing with bamboo, and finding out just what a modern bamboo rod is capable of.
Luke is now concentrating on making a range of just three rods; a traditional 7' 3wt based on a Garrison 201 taper and "Superfast" taper rods in 7' 4wt & 8' 5wt configurations.
Rods are available in 2 & 3 piece configuration.
The "Superfast" rod series is based on legendary english angler, Richard Walker's design principles and has been grabbing the attention of a number of well respected fishing and casting guru's here in the UK.
Luke has a growing and loyal customer base amongst a whole new generation of fly fishers who are discovering the joys of fishing with bamboo, and finding out just what a modern bamboo rod is capable of.
Luke is now concentrating on making a range of just three rods; a traditional 7' 3wt based on a Garrison 201 taper and "Superfast" taper rods in 7' 4wt & 8' 5wt configurations.
Rods are available in 2 & 3 piece configuration.
Luke Bannister on the "Superfast" Taper.
The modern cast has fundamentally changed. It is delivered much more deliberately than in the past. The acceleration to a stop is the modern doctrine. In essence it is a far more efficient casting stroke. When I had realised this I started to look for a taper that would suit the modern casting style. And eventually I found one ( I did not design the original Superfast taper, that taper was developed by my good friend and rod designer Robin Haywood, my input was merely anecdotal.)
The Superfast taper is an extraordinary piece of design. It is fast and yet it has feel. A stiff rod will feel dead, it will only load when casting a long line and it will give little feed back in the cast and when playing a fish The Superfast has none of these bad attributes, it will feel familiar to the modern caster who is used to carbon fibre. And yet because of the nature of cane, and the brilliance of its design it has far more feel and life. It is I believe unique.
It took over 10 years to arrive at this taper. I have built and fished many different rods. Paynes, Dickersons and Garrisons, and even a few more obscure rods like Carlsen & Vengenns, Constables and Walkers. I have tremendous respect and gratitude for the legacy that these men left behind. And feel that the Superfast taper is part of a natural progression of taper design. I doubt that I will improve on it. Though I am still trying
The modern cast has fundamentally changed. It is delivered much more deliberately than in the past. The acceleration to a stop is the modern doctrine. In essence it is a far more efficient casting stroke. When I had realised this I started to look for a taper that would suit the modern casting style. And eventually I found one ( I did not design the original Superfast taper, that taper was developed by my good friend and rod designer Robin Haywood, my input was merely anecdotal.)
The Superfast taper is an extraordinary piece of design. It is fast and yet it has feel. A stiff rod will feel dead, it will only load when casting a long line and it will give little feed back in the cast and when playing a fish The Superfast has none of these bad attributes, it will feel familiar to the modern caster who is used to carbon fibre. And yet because of the nature of cane, and the brilliance of its design it has far more feel and life. It is I believe unique.
It took over 10 years to arrive at this taper. I have built and fished many different rods. Paynes, Dickersons and Garrisons, and even a few more obscure rods like Carlsen & Vengenns, Constables and Walkers. I have tremendous respect and gratitude for the legacy that these men left behind. And feel that the Superfast taper is part of a natural progression of taper design. I doubt that I will improve on it. Though I am still trying
Here's a short movie with Luke talking about how he makes his rods:
Prices and Availability
All 2 piece rods are £825 Three piece rods or a 2 piece rod with and extra tip is £1125 Three piece rod with and extra tip is £1425 Rods come in a cotton rod bag and an aluminium rod tube. There is a leather tube option at £ 170.
I hope to keep one of each of Luke's rod's in stock, otherwise rods are available to order with a delivery time of @ 16 weeks.
Please contact me for current availability, or to order.
All 2 piece rods are £825 Three piece rods or a 2 piece rod with and extra tip is £1125 Three piece rod with and extra tip is £1425 Rods come in a cotton rod bag and an aluminium rod tube. There is a leather tube option at £ 170.
I hope to keep one of each of Luke's rod's in stock, otherwise rods are available to order with a delivery time of @ 16 weeks.
Please contact me for current availability, or to order.
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7' 4wt "Superfast" The 7ft 4wt is the perfect rod for fishing smaller tributaries and streams. The finished rod weighs about 4oz. The design of the taper means that it will roll cast with ease, and when necessary it will punch a small tight loop into the wind or in under over hanging trees. Because of the subtle nature of cane it can be an incredibly gentle rod, capable of protecting the finest of tippets and landing the softest of casts. As a perfect all around small stream and river rod this is as good a rod as I can make. |
8' 5wt "Superfast" This is a rod for bigger streams and rivers 8 feet in length, it gives excellent line control and casting authority. A 5wt has plenty of power, and the subtlety of cane means that it is a pleasure to use. From the Southern English chalk streams to the Eastern Highlands of Norway, and even Chile. It has proven to be the ideal rod for most river fishing. Casting large Mayflies in to the inevitable "summer equal" or even black and bushy flies into the darkness for summer sea trout. It is ideally suited to it all. The length of this rod means that the back cast is kept higher; keeping it clear of the undergrowth, as well as making mending and lifting a longer line easier, giving greater control of the fly |
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Here's a short movie with Luke showing why he makes his rods: