Leon Hanson - Bamboo Fly Rod Maker and Centerpin Reel Pioneer

Leon Hanson started building bamboo fly rods rods in the late 1970’s. Since then he has quietly built some of the finest rods in the country. He is a rod builder’s builder. After previously being one if the pioneers of center pin reels he moved on to his next challenge, building the some of the best and most desired bamboo fly rods in the world. He has always attacked a project seeking the best possible information from the experts, and then proceeds to improve upon it. His intuitive thinking in resolving a problem has made him famous in his Boone & Crocket hunting records, the invention and production of the now highly sought after Hanson centerpin reel and of course, his rods. Having spent considerable time with Hoagy Carmichael exploring the craft, he began professionally building fly rods. The quality of his work was so notable; it brought mention in Ernie Schwiebert’s “Trout”. Ernie spoke of Garrison, then Carmichael and then Hanson as a line of succession. Leon’s depth of thinking applied to the construction of his rods, is worthy of recognition. His tapers cast sublimely, as only an expert caster can translate into bamboo. Leon’s production is very limited and his rods seldom appear on the used rod market.

Check out Leon's rods here: http://www.leonfhansonqualitycaneflyrods.com/

Capt. Ross Robertson has made his complete living chasing walleye as a full time professional angler for more than 20 years. Through the years he has worn many hats including time as a fishing guide, boat salesman, TV host, outdoor writer, product designer, tournament fisherman, speaker, radio host and podcaster to name a few.
Ross fishes ice-out to ice-up on the Great Lakes. He spends the majority of the year walleye fishing on Lake Erie’s Western and Central basins.

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