I spent a few hours yesterday with old friend Andy Manchester. Andy is a highly skilled rod builder, and I am fortunate to have a few of his rods in my quiver. (I have three favorite rods, and Andy had a hand in two of them.) I’m really not an equipment junkie — I don’t own anything rare or valuable — but I do appreciate craftsmanship, and fishing with gear that was created by someone you know carries a certain je ne sais quoi. We had a blast casting several of Andy’s creations (did I mention that he’s an extraordinary caster?) and I wanted to share a photo of his workshop.

Where it all happens. See something you like?

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I love old stuff. There’s something so Lee Wulff about the chattering of a click-and-pawl reel.