I've got more rods than I can ever fish during my lifetime (and longer). But recently I have been talking with Chris Barclay about building a rod.Chris, although building rods for some years, has become a highly acclaimed rod builder. Chris improved his work quite dramatically the past few years and got really noticed when he released his own line of fiberglass rods, starting with the 7.2 ft 3 weight later followed by a 7.8 ft 4 weight and 7.10 ft 5 weight, as recently as late 2013. The blanks for his rods are made in Japan to his specifications and his rods has received lots of praise.
Earlier this summer I sent my 3 weight Orvis Superfine Glass back to Orvis. Since I still wanted a 3 weight fiberglass rod, I decided to go for the Barclay 3 weight.I love light rods with dual reel rings, so I was looking for finish that is a mix of Chris' own mini wells grip and bright dual reel rings like the Bob Summers' Deluxe version of the 275 model. Along the way Chris told me he was expecting a new batch of brass hardware but now with his name stamped. After seeing a picture, I chose to stay with his signature finish. I also asked Chris to make a slightly shorter 5.5 inch grip.
Any small reel would fit the rod fine, but a lightweight vintage reel like Hardy Featherweight or the Orvis CFO 123 will look stunning on this rod. This rod will do great on any stream or small river, but I'd say it's made for fishing gin clear small streams like the one I fished several years ago in the hills of the Austrian alps. I just can't wait to sight cast a small nymph to a holding trout in the slower edge of a bend of the stream.
