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Rod Repair Service

David Norwich Custom Fly Rods.

For much of its existence since 1977, David Norwich Rods has been something of a ‘niche' rod making business and has occupied a specific market shared by very few other British makers. David Norwich is the only small independent Rod Maker as apposed to "rod assembler" who manufactures their own rod blanks in Britain.

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Therein lies our strength. The small Team here at David Norwich, do not mass produce, we concentrate on quality.

 

Unfortunately, the fly rod making industry has became just that - an industry. 

Craftsmanship and unique design, the hallmark of small manufacturers has now been supplanted by a ‘corporate' mindset. Fewer and fewer manufacturers are actually involved or participate in the sport, very few are designing and building their own rods or blanks in house, preferring to have their rods or rod blanks designed and produced cheaply in the far east. (more on that here) We are now in an age of the "clone." We often see "Designed in the United Kingdom or U.S.A. Designed." but that fools no one does it?

This is the problem which makers face today. Exclusivity is assured when placing a design in a far eastern blank manufacturers hands. In reality exclusivity is non existent, and the discerning, observant fly caster and enthusistic fly tackle buyer will regularly see the same blank being offered by different manufacturers under a different colour lacquer, different whippings. Different livery.

On a recent visit to a large tackle wharehouse in Scotland I was amused - but not surprised to be able to spend an interesting hour sampling interchangeable rod sections with, different "brand" fly rod's....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Surprisingly in this enlightened age, consumers are constantly fed questionable pap regarding the advantages of meaningless carbon modulus figures or unique handle shapes - the benefit of balance weights on rod handles - that will by some shift of the immutable laws of physics

"transform" rod performance....

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It is less common but not unusual that one of my stock taper blanks would not fill a customer's needs. The selection offered online runs to over 160 plus models. On top of that there are dozens of custom one-off patterns that have never made it from the pattern design book to the web site listing. There are rods on offer for all types of salmon fly casting, spinning or bait rods available. Each blank whilst it may be a stock pre-designed taper will be built entirely from scratch to the customers order - the pre preg carbon fibre cloth will be cut to pattern with that customer in mind.

Every single blank is custom built to order. Not unlike the way a bespoke tailor would go about his job in making a fine suit. A stock blank is just not picked off the shelf and assembled into a rod.

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The blank once made can be finished with a variety of coating and colours from matt carbon to beautiful translucent greens, blues and browns in gloss or matt finishes. I can also offer custom colour mixes for the client who wants a truly unique colour for his or her rod.

 

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Reel seats can be offered to suit every budget from high quality seats from Pac Bay, REC Corporation, Bellinger, to low cost Fuji.

Rod shafts can be inlaid with any personalized writing you wish alongside the rod details. Components or Rod Tubes can likewise be custom engraved with personal details such as initials or a dedication. See our sister website for custom rod decals

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Customers occasionally come to me because they have an injury or some physical disability that prevents them being comfortable with a standard rod length or line rating. Handle length and proportions can be finished exactly to the customer's specification.Salmon rod customers can benefit from a shorter customized handle length. Short oversize heavy belly line rods, Salmon rods (there is nothing new about Skagit rods) can be made that reduce leverage and swing weight and allow them to get distance easily and limit strain on parts of the body that cause problems with standard rods. Similarly longer light line models can be built semi double handed. These rod designs have been popular over the years, as the can be used two handed if the customer has a hand or wrist problem. The list of custom options really is endless.....

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If by chance there is not a stock taper or action on the website list to suit a customer, I can offer a true custom rod blank build. Any length, taper or action can be accommodated and made for the client in any modulus of elasticity of carbon fibre - from low modulus high strength carbons to the latest super high modulus ultra light low resin grades.

Composite combinations of all of these are also available to build a truly unique rod shaft for the customer.

A very common request is for a customer to say he or she has bought brand X rod after reading a magazine review, and can't get on with the rod. Sensibly  the customer does not want to make another expensive mistake. Could the action be changed to such and such? Or could this be made with a stiffer tip or a more full flexing butt? In these instances if the customer can't bring the rod to directly discuss the modification, I usually ask for the rod to be sent to me so I can assess their request. Advice via telephone or email follows and we discuss the options available. If the customer just wants the brand X rod with a new modified tip or a section replaced, that can be accommodated via my rod renovation and repair service.

The River Tweed.

I offer a complete service.

Every customer has a standing invite by prior appointment to visit the workshop, and get an insight into how my rods are made.The kettle is always on, time is always made to down tools and have a chat over a cup of coffee, and then cast a rod or two. There is plenty of room to cast rods on in grassy fields surrounding my workshop or you can take a 5 minute walk down the lane from the workshop and test any rod I have on hand in the Gala Water. ( a Tweed tributary) Or a test session can be arranged on the River Tweed itself where you can test a rod and your skill - against truly wild Brown Trout. The River Tweed is only a 15 minute drive from my workshop. We also have several local lochs nearby if you wish to try a rod on still water.

Regards,

David Norwich.

p.s Have a look at the my YouTube video and see will see how my rod blanks are made.

New!  Click to see a Norwich ev4 Salmon Fly Rod Handle Being made.