Customer Reviews

What Our Customers Say

Graham S ★★★★★

I have managed to put a line through the rod today, albeit in the garden and not on the river, and I have found it works really well with the silk line and casts tight accurate loops up to 50ft.
I like the rod very much and the action is crisp and will I'm sure respond very well to all it will be asked to do when I do get chance to go fishing in earnest. The cork on the handle is superb and the feel is very nice.
Thank you for your hard work and for producing such a lovely fishing tool

Michael H ★★★★★

Chris - just got off of several rivers in Montana and the custom made 4 weight you made for me was spectacular. My three fishing buddies were "fighting" with each other to get a chance to use it after they saw me casting (and catching mucho trout) with it. A rod that will clearly be a family heirloom for many generations.

John B ★★★★★

Chris, I received the rod and it only took two days from the time it left you until it was delivered to me. It's absolutely exquisite — the loveliest work of rod craftsmanship I've ever seen. It will be admired by my angler friends, and I expect some will want to have you make a rod for them.

Gary L ★★★★★

Chris wow what a great rod, always wanted to own a piece of artwork and now I do. My 8ft #5 was used last weekend on the Anton and again two days later on the Itchen, super action and a real different feel to the carbon rods I fish with and great when you have a fish on. So pleased that I have ordered a 7.6ft 4# which I will be able to use next season.

Great customer service and a pleasure dealing with someone who is so passionate about his art.

Graham ★★★★★

Hi Chris,
The knife did indeed arrive safely. It is a beautiful piece of quality craftsmanship. Well balanced and strong.

Jimmy Clark ★★★★★

I had already had someone make me a bamboo fly rod but needed a case for it. I couldn't find what I wanted and finally decided a nice leather case was what it needed and that is when I found Chris Clemes on line. The leather fly rod tube is beautiful and perfect for a bamboo fly rod. It is a real work of art! Thanks so much and Happy Holidays! Jimmy Clark

Hugh R ★★★★★

The 4wt 3 piece custom split cane rod was all I ever dreamed and hoped for. Easy to cast all day, delicate in the presentation of dries in the 12 - 24 size range.

Magnus Angus ★★★★★
Fly Fishing & Fly Tying Magazine

The Chris Clemes Split Cane Rods are beautifully made and presented, traditional British rod making, and as a fishing rod as far as I can see this is exactly fit for its function.

Donald H ★★★★★

Dear Chris

I wanted to let you know what a joy the 2 wt rod you made for me is.

It has logged over 110,000 air miles this year. USA, Europe, South America and Canada.

Regards
Donald

Donald H ★★★★★

Dear Chris:

A thing of beauty. My Gawd! I'm hesitant to fish it. It belongs in an art show.

Thank you so much.

Regards,
Don

David W ★★★★★

Hi Chris,

Its official, not only is the rod a thing of beauty but it fishes beautifully as well. In combination with the silk line its a special delight to fish with, the line lays down on the water very well and its seems as though it's not possible to cast poorly. Regretfully no fish today but that I don't mind as there will be other days to catch.
Today was about learning to slow down and delight in owning a thing of beauty.

It certainly caught the eye of the bailiff who just had to ask can he try a cast with it. He thinks I am very lucky,
and so do I.

Thank you for this wonderful rod.

David

David W ★★★★★

Hello Chris,

Please to attach first captives to the new rod from the syndicate waters. The rod fishes like a dream and the syndicate is the perfect location for it to be used. Both caught on a dry 14 blue dun.

David

Peter R ★★★★★

Chris,

You have done me PROUD! Thank you very much for all your expert work and kind attention. The rod is quite simply a work of art. It sits well in the hand and has the balance and action that I was expecting. I will be taking this for a walk along the river either today or tomorrow (weather bit cool here today) to have a go!

You have my deepest gratitude for my pride and joy gifted from my other pride and joys, my girls!

Kindest Regards
Peter

Tomas L ★★★★★

That great work Chris,

It is a precious piece, a delicate jewel, I have got excited on having had it in my hands.

This weekend I will be going to go fishing, I am sure that I go away to enjoying very much.

Tomàs

Peter Radford ★★★★★

I have put my 7' Symphony No3 cane fly rod to very good use on the River Wye. The rod action combined with the silk line is a revelation and a joy to fish with!

Robin Lambert ★★★★★
The Flyfisher Magazine

The 7' #3 is, for the bamboo fly rod aficionado, a great rod to add to their collection and would have great pleasure for years to come when out on the water casting to some rising wild brownies

Norbert ★★★★★

The tube arrived today and all is perfect!! Thank you very much! Great work and great tube.

Richard ★★★★★

Today, at the Sportfish show in Reading, I had the pleasure of casting one of Chris Clemes' handmade bamboo fly rods; the first bamboo rod I've ever cast.

To say that I was completely stunned by these rods is almost an understatement. Somehow he has managed to create one of the sweetest actioned rods I've ever cast. A total delight.

What was most amazing was the pressure that such a delicate looking rod could produce. These are serious fishing tools that can compete with any carbon rod designed for the same style of delicate dry fly fishing.

The fit and finish is sublime, as you would expect for a rod of this price, but you can clearly see and feel what your money has gone into.

Casting such a rod with a silk line really was the cherry on top, so to speak, and very much the highlight of my day.

Thank you Chris for your time, generosity and incredible talent.

Richard.

Bob D ★★★★★

Hi Chris - thought you may enjoy this -

First day of the season on the Kennet - first fish to the rod on a size 16 Adams on a 3lb breaking strain (the stuff nightmares are made of!) what a great fight and on this rod SO exciting - cast like a dream - IT not me

Cheers
B