I’m sitting here in my shop/office (I prefer to write outside but it’s a little cool and wet out there) with a nice cup of coffee on the table next to me and Stella is curled up next to me in the same chair. In case you were wondering, yes, I am cozy wearing one of my new Zippy Sweatshirts, thanks for asking. It’s a little crowded but I like it. The undecorated Christmas tree is up and in the window facing the street and I have my guitar close at hand in case I’m struck by some kind of inspiration or feel the need of a musical interlude. The Rolling Stones ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’ is playing through my speakers. Seems pretty appropriate. I’ve got an 8-6 that I’ve just varnished the wraps on turning a few feet away.

Writing these blog posts is quite enjoyable but the time doesn’t always allow - I’d rather be fishing or building rods honestly but I feel the (positive) pressure to get some thoughts out, update what’s going on and talk about past trips (I still need to write about the rest of the Colorado trip). But for now I want to talk about upcoming rods and reels. I have had several new rod configurations in various stages of development and they all seem to be coming to a head around the same time.

I’ll go in order of length.

First up is the 6’2” 3wt 4 piece. It is a little sibling to my 68 Blue Ridge Special. In fact, I fished them side by side recently and they are so similar and complimentary to each other that at first I wondered if there’s redundancy there. Probably so, but maybe not. I’m ok with that. I really want to name this rod after my favorite local brook trout stream which is where I intend to fish it most but then again I don’t want to publicize the name of that stream. So then I thought I’d call it the Little Special (referring to it’s little siblingness of the 68) but I don’t really want to explain that all the time so the fun catchy name is pending and I’ll call it the 62-3 for now and it costs $725.

Next is the 6’4” 4wt 4 piece. Some of you may say “hey, that’s the old 64p!” but you’ll be wrong. Same configuration but different rod. Similar applications but not at all the same taper. This rod is actually quite similar to my 66 Gila Special in that it is sort of a ‘double hinge taper’ rod. What I mean by 'double hinge taper’ is that it has a flex point about 22” down from the tip and another flex point about 22” up from the butt of the rod. This gives it a unique casting stroke that probably isn’t for everyone. It’s not quick, but it’s fun. I’ve been trying to think of a way to describe the action of the rod and the best I can do is describe it as a compound taper that flexes in a couple places. It’s funky, like James Brown. It feels like a 2wt but casts a 4wt line. Mainly meant for in close fishing. I’ve used a 3wt line on it and like it but feel it shines with a 4wt. Like I said, it’s a little funky and not for everyone but for those whom it fits, it really fits. I’m calling it the 64-4 for now. This will sell for $725.

A 7’ 3wt is the next rod. This one is a 3 piece rod positioned, in both stature and usability, in between the 68 and 72. I’ve built a few of these so far and the reviews are overwhelmingly good. I could see it overtaking the 68 as my best seller. It handles small dries, dry/dropper rigs, smaller to medium weighted flies all with extreme ease. It’ll make a beginning caster feel good about themselves and a seasoned caster able to finesse the line in nearly every appropriate situation. The first prototype I built a year or two ago just as an experiment. I loved it but let it stay as a possibility in the background. When a friend sent me an old Winston Stalker 7’ 3wt to try out I immediately remembered this rod and by the next day I had a fishable prototype. Uncreatively, I’m calling this one the 7-3. It’ll sell for $675.

The Rolling Stones song ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ isn’t a song that I’ve really thought about lyrically all that much but man it is a good song and fun to listen to musically.

Next I’m jumping up to an 8’ 3wt 3 piece rod. I am a huge fan of sub 8’ rods but I do feel like having an extra foot of reach is really helpful sometimes and not everyone fishes tiny creeks that are so crowded with rhododendron and various invisible grabby branches to smack an overlengthed rod on when setting the hook and casting. So here we go into the depths of longer light line glass rods. I know what you’re thinking, ‘geez, another 3wt!?’ My best answer to that is, ‘yep’. Momma once told me ‘do what you know’, so I am. These work equally great for lighter farm pond bluegill duty (that reminds me, I can’t wait until spring so I can catch some pre-spawn bluegill with this rod!) as well as on a more open trout stream. These will be $675 as well.

Speaking of redundancy, the next rod I’m introducing is an 8’ 4wt 4 piece rod. This past spring, immediately after leaving Brandon Bailes’ house after a few days of fishing his home waters for Redeye bass I started planning this rod. It’s a strong but true 4wt that can handle aggressive little baby streamers, poppers, mini game changers, slump busters and the occasional 18” spotted bass or the bruiser later summer smallie. Strong tip with plenty of power yet not without feel. I humbly think of this rod as the ultimate warmwater stream rod and will probably call it the Redeye Special, or just plain 8-4. These are made with white fiberglass. To be clear, I’m not a fan of white fiberglass because I’m forced to use an epoxy finish and not my varnish. But I feel that the white/natural/clear glass material is the best option for this taper so I’m leaving it as is. This rod is $775.

Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish you were Here’ reminds me of high school art class when I brought my pet box turtle to class so we could all draw it as it walked all over the tables. His name was Fred, named after my uncle.

I will update all the other areas of my website and webstore ASAP with all the info as I can. But these are all now available for preorder Maker’s Choice rods as well as custom builds.

Speaking of Maker’s Choice rods, I am going to offer a choice of wood or cork seat and grip shape on those now. I’ll update those listings too.

Next up, reels. I have decided to add another option to the mix. I’m proud to announce that I’m now an Abel (and Ross) reels dealer and will be able to offer everything they do starting now. I plan to stock a few reels and can order anything with a reasonable lead time. I recently got my first few personal TR 2/3 reels in and I have not been more impressed with a fly reel since I handled my first Kineya reel years ago. I’m not a believer in perfection, but boy howdy these are close. One of the main instigators for this move was one day fishing my precious local notellum brookie stream. It was a completely normal day and I slipped on a slick rod and as usual, the first thing to go is the rod. I tossed it to the side so I wouldn’t land on it and the foot broke off my treasured vintage Orvis CFO 123. I was astonished and heart broken. On the way home I decided that I was tired of babying my reels and needed something tougher. Then, like it was sent by angels from Heaven, I remembered a social media post from Abel reels that says ‘crafted for chaos’. I thought to my self, ‘self, contact them and see if I can become a dealer or something.’ So I did, and I am. The first reel I ordered was their Native Brook Trout pattern TR2/3. I was concerned that it’d be too heavy and too big but it’s just right for my 3wt rods and not out of the realm of functionality for my 2wt rods but the new Ross Colorado 2/3 or older Abel TR Light will be my choice for those. Maybe I can convince them to make a TR 1/2, who knows? I also have the matte black TR2/3 because it’s stealthy and won’t flash at the fish. I plan to offer them in many different color options and will add the aluminum handle for durability. To be totally clear, I’m still dealing with Kineya reels as often as I can get them and maintain a wait list for these pieces of art along with his spring nets. It makes me feel quite proud and humbled to be able to offer the finest reels available with my rods.

To sum it up:

-6’2” 3wt 4 piece yellow $725

-6’4” 4wt 4 piece yellow $725

-7’ 3wt 3 piece yellow $675

-8’ 3wt 3 piece yellow $675

-8’ 4wt 4 piece white $775

-Zippy sweatshirts various colors $39.95 https://teespring.com/slow-down-fly-zippy-sweatshirt?tsmac=store&tsmic=c-barclay-fly-rod-co&pid=1027&cid=104078 While your there, check out my other wearable stuff.

If you have an Abel reel in mind please don’t hesitate to ask me for more details. I might be able to get some out of production spare spools for your old Abel or Ross reels as well.

This was a long one with a lot of info, thanks for wading through all this with me. As always please feel free to write or call me with any questions or if you just want to talk fishing.

I hope everyone is doing alright. Take care and good fishing! ~Chris