Recently, Alexandr Kuzmin interviewed T&T Founder and head rod designer, Tom Dorsey, for a Russian fly fishing magazine. With their blessing, we’re sharing an excerpt of the interview here.
Alexandr Kuzmin: Do you remember the first bamboo rod you crafted yourself? Do you still have it?
Tom Dorsey: The first bamboo rod I crafted was an 8′ #5 wt in about 1968. It was sold to a person in Arlington, Virginia. Unfortunately, I don’t remember the name of the buyer.
AK: What were the first fiberglass rods from T&T?
TD: The first fiberglass rods were only a few called “KANEGLASS” built in 1969. They were from blanks purchased from Phillipson Rod Co.
AK: How about the first T&T graphite?
TD: The first graphite rods were not built until 1978 when we purchased our graphite manufacturing equipment.
AK: Do you think that a good understanding of bamboo helps in the design of graphite rods?
TD: It is not necessary to have an understanding of bamboo to simply make graphite rods. But to have anunderstanding of bamboo increases the awareness of the special touch of a superior fly rod, and a sense of the extra quality of “sweetness.” One can make a finer composite violin if he is aware of the qualities of a wooden violin. Similarly, a chef can make a more elegant, simple pâté if he is familiar with a great foie gras. In other words, understanding the finesse of bamboo raises the target of achievement.
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AK: What types of rods do you enjoy fishing? Bamboo, graphite, fiberglass? And what kind of fish do you like to catch – and where?
TD: I enjoy fishing for Atlantic Salmon, Trout and also Striped Bass. I mostly enjoy Atlantic Salmon fishing, however.
For Striped Bass I prefer Graphite rods. For Atlantic Salmon I like both bamboo and graphite rods. For trout I prefer bamboo or fiberglass, but mostly bamboo.
Rivers: I like any trout river as long as it is beautiful and contains wild trout. Obviously many wonderful trout rivers are too far away too fish often, so I mostly fish the Deerfield River in Massachusetts because it is not far—only about a half-hour drive. For Striped Bass I fish Cape Cod. My favorite Atlantic Salmon river is the Margaree River in Nova Scotia.
I should add that I enjoy the casting perhaps more than the catching and I always prefer dry fly fishing when possible.
AK: Does this mean that the process of preparing a new series of rods is influenced primarily by casting? Tell us about the process of designing a new rod.
TD: Of course! The process of designing new rods is absolutely influenced by casting. How else? It’s like the culinary arts: try and change, try and change, try and change – till it’s exactly right.
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AK: Tom, what are the future trends in your opinion in the development of the design of fly rods?What about market competition?
TD: Regarding future trends, most trends are simply marketing ploys, advertising something “new” which isn’t new at all but simply painted in new colors.
The magic of rods is still in the tapering, regardless of what new material is used. As in food, the spices never change but their proportion and the skill of the Chef are the important element.
Yes there is much market competition and much of the competition is regarding price. That is why most companies have their rods made offshore, where labor is cheap. We are very proud that our rods are all made in our own shop in Massachusetts. That’s a commitment we’ve made to our customers.
AK: At the end of the year you have a lot of new series. Tell us about them shortly?
TD: We’ve got five new series – all of which are detailed on thomasandthomas.com. They are all created from new lighter and stronger materials with a higher modulus rating to give extra performance.
The new DNA Spey series which includes a 1307-4, 1368-4, 1409-4,and 1510-5.
The DNAXF series which is a faster Scandinavian style rod, including 1167-4, 1267-4, 1298-4 and 1339-4.
The DNAXD series for Skagit style fishing with short deep-sinking heads including 1208-4
The ESP four piece trout series which includes lengths from 7’6” through 8’ and lines #3 through #5.
The LPS ll series of four piece rods 8’6” through 9’ in lines #4 and #5.
AK: Tom, thank you very much for taking the time. Wishing you luck in all new projects and a long life!