Pryor Custom Fly Rods is a small custom rod builder and intends to stay that way. I only build fly rods because that it what I know. I began building my own rods for one reason: I wanted something better. The rods I built were for myself and a few others, but I realized that I could offer a custom rod to the fisherman who was tired of using the rod he "had to" just because the big manufacturers offered very few choices in the rods they sold.
Why should a fly fisherman have to use a rod that is mass produced for a general type of fishing? For years, fly rod companies have basically been competing with one another over outlandish ideas such as "Who can build a rod with the highest possible modulus, fastest action or longest cast". The truth is that it doesn't much matter how high the modulus is, but rather how the rod feels and fishes. It's true that super high modulus rods do have their place (if you're a competitive distance caster or simply enjoy fly casting in hurricanes) but they are generally somewhat inhibitive to the average fisherman.
Many companies believe they can build the finest bamboo fly rods, on a production line, right next to the graphite rods and still charge the customer $3000! Most of these companies have been selling those rods on their name alone, with only a concern for increased profit margins, leaving quality and performance to fall by the way side. As a matter of fact, nearly all of the famous bamboo fly rod makers sold their companies many decades ago and those companies have had dozens of owners in that time. When you buy one of their rods, you're really purchasing a rod made by someone using that original name.
It is my belief that a fly rod should be built from the ground up, component by component, for the individual fisherman and the unique type of fishing he will do. I decided to use the absolute best components in the world on each and every rod I make because I was tired of having to settle on those offered by everyone else. There was finally a choice! Pryor Rods was conceived with the belief that a fly rod could be a work of art, but it had better fish like one, too!
I do not have a "line" of fly rods because that's exactly what I wanted to get away from. Every fisherman should have a rod specifically made for him and his own specific casting style and fishing situation.
Our bamboo and graphite fly rods are completely custom made, by hand, to the smallest detail using the very best components, most of which are made right here in the shop. We believe them to be the most unique and highest quality bamboo and graphite rods money can buy. Every piece has been thoughtfully chosen and combined to produce a rod of unique character, just as those who fish them. There is no other rod that will feel or fish like our rods because each one is handcrafted specifically for you.
All Pryor rods are built with the very best components such as nickel silver and titanium reel seats, hand turned reserve grade cork grips, museum grade stabilized wood inlays and reels seat inserts, custom thread wraps and feather inlays, and titanium and silicon carbide guides. We don't rely on a measurement chart to tell us where to locate the guides as other manufacturers do. All guides are positioned using static guide placement for the best performance possible. Each rod undergoes a series of tests to determine it's exact characteristics under load with different weight fly lines. Our rods do not fish like any other rod you've used, and with good reason. We take the time to make them better.
I encourage you to work with us to select the components that will make your rod a true custom, as well as a work of art. Every fly rod we build is heirloom quality and made to last many generations. If you are looking for a cheap "factory style" rod, you're in the wrong place, but if you want a true one of a kind, take a look at our rods. The quality is in the details...just see for yourself!
Good Fishing!
Zach Pryor
Pryor Custom Fly Rods
Handcrafted Fly Rods For The Discriminating Angler
2642 South 11th Street
Philadelphia, PA., 19148
Tel: (215)280-6414
email: PryorRods@yahoo.com
www.pryorcustomflyrods.com
