Custom Bamboo Rods
Rods that are made exactly the way you design them from top to bottom.  Carlin Bamboo rods are built for a lifetime of use, so you may as well get something that is exactly what you like.  As many or as few of the rod's details and appointments can be customized, from the tip top to the butt cap and everything in between.  Classic or utterly unorthodox, I'm happy to help make just about anything.
  • Made from a single select culm of bamboo
  • Mirror matched tips
  • Dozens of custom and classic tapers to choose from
  • Cane tone from a light blonde to a deep chocolate brown
  • Top quality nickel silver ferrules, glued & pinned
  • Hardware can be blued or left natural
  • Nickel silver or aluminum reel seat hardware
  • Beautiful hand-picked wood reel seat insert
  • Select colors of the finest silk for guide wraps
  • Choice of color for highlights and optional tipping
  • Standard or titanium alloy snake guides
  • Various stripping guide options
  • Top quality hand turned Portuguese cork grip
  • Thin high gloss spar varnish finish
Rod Appointments and Options
Rod Specs
Cane Tone
Wrap Colors
Grip Shape
Reel Seat
Stripping Guide
Snake Guides
Hardware Tone
Action and Taper Options
All rods can be made in Hexagonal, Quadrate, or Rectangular Tip Quadrate construction and either solid or hollow built. 
In addition to the custom tapers listed below, I also have also have hundreds of classic tapers, some of which are listed here.
FTS Series :: Medium-Slow Progressive Action Configurations
The FTS tapers came out of an affection for smooth, progressive action rods. The action is similar to most Garrison or some Howell tapers. An extremely easy rod to cast. It excels at roll casting and short to medium-long casts. If you like some of the more modern Thomas, Garrison, or Howell tapers, this is is a wonderful rod in the same family. Gives back what you put into it with no surprises.
  • 3wt : 6'9" - 7'3" : 2 piece
  • 4wt : 7'3" - 7'6" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 5wt : 7'9" - 8'3" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 6wt : 8'0" - 8'6" : 2 or 3 piece
LL Series :: Medium Progressive Action Configurations
Like the FTS rod tapers, this particular rod series came out of my fondness for classic progressive Garrison tapers. Garrison rods are exceptional do-it-all rods with even, predictable action throughout the rod's range. They can easily handle one line weight in either direction making them a great go-to rod. The LL tapers take the best parts of the Garrison tapers and gave them a touch faster action while preserving the progressive feel overall and a distinct softening in the upper 1/4 of the rod to help it throw off the tip in close and for snappier turnover with dries. Takes very well to hollowing.
  • 3wt : 7'0" - 7'3" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 4wt : 7'3" - 7'9" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 5wt : 7'9" - 8'3" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 6wt : 8'0" - 8'6" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 7wt : 8'3" - 8'9" : 2 or 3 piece
PN Series :: Medium to Medium-Fast Action Configurations
  • 3wt : 7'0" - 7'3" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 4wt : 7'3" - 7'9" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 5wt : 7'9" - 8'3" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 6wt : 8'0" - 8'6" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 7wt : 8'3" - 8'9" : 2 or 3 piece
SH Series :: Medium-Fast Action Configurations
The SH series of tapers has turned out to be extremely versatile and is my personal go-to rod in most circumstances. It is a medium-fast action rod with some select softening along the length to change the flex and assist in roll casting and with shorter casts. It works just as well on a 10' or a 50' cast and is very easy to cast and quite accurate. A little more powerful and slightly faster taper with great character. Plenty of power for bigger fish and it works well both hollowed and solid, with the slightly crisper hollowed versions being my personal preference. A wonderful all around action for everything from dries to dropper rigs.
  • 3wt : 7'0" - 7'3" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 4wt : 7'3" - 7'9" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 5wt : 7'9" - 8'3" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 6wt : 8'0" - 8'6" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 7wt : 8'3" - 8'9" : 2 or 3 piece
LM Series :: Medium-Fast Progressive Action Configurations
The LM tapers are an adaptation of the LL tapers above. I found that in some circumstances I often like to have a rod with a little extra power and quickness.  The LM tapers maintain the smooth progressive feel and softer tip of the LL while being a little faster and more powerful, especially in the lower 1/2. I strongly recommend hollowing this rod which help keeps the weight to a minimum and gives it a little extra snappiness. No tip bounce and smooth, powerful turnover characterize this rod series. One of the best do it all fishing rod I have cast. You won't be caught under-gunned but it is still sensitive and delicate when needed.
  • 3wt : 7'0" - 7'3" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 4wt : 7'3" - 7'9" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 5wt : 7'9" - 8'3" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 6wt : 8'0" - 8'6" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 7wt : 8'3" - 8'9" : 2 or 3 piece
DB Series :: Fast Action Configurations
The DB tapers make for a faster action rod with similar characteristics to some of the more powerful Dickerson tapers and can be characterized as medium-fast to fast overall. It is tip action in essence, flexing mostly in the upper 1/2 and will only bend into the stouter butt section on longer casts or when working bigger fish. An excellent western rod for dries or lighter nymph rigs that will cast easily of the tip with a quick wrist snap, but can throw an entire line without a problem. This series of rods takes especially well to hollowing.
  • 3wt : 7'0" - 7'3" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 4wt : 7'3" - 7'9" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 5wt : 7'9" - 8'3" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 6wt : 8'0" - 8'6" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 7wt : 8'3" - 8'9" : 2 or 3 piece
Steelhead and Saltwater Rods
ST Medium :: Medium-Fast Action Configurations
  • 7wt : 8'6" - 8'9" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 8wt : 8'6" - 8'9" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 8wt : 8'6" - 9'0" : 3 piece
  • 9wt : 9'0" - 9'6" : 3 piece
ST Fast :: Fast Action Configurations
It is a monster of a rod with a very stout butt section, progressive mid with just a hint of softening towards the tip without making it bouncy or too soft for throwing heavy flies or lots of line. The rod is stout but balanced very well and is surprisingly easy to fish all day long.
  • 7wt : 8'6" - 8'9" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 8wt : 8'6" - 8'9" : 2 or 3 piece
  • 8wt : 8'6" - 9'0" : 3 piece
  • 9wt : 9'0" - 9'6" : 3 piece
Two Handed Rods
TH Parabolic :: Deep Flexing Parabolic Action Configurations
  • 5wt : 10'0" - 11'6" : 3 piece
  • 6wt : 10'0" - 11'6" : 3 piece
  • 7wt : 10'6" - 11'6" : 3 piece
  • 8wt : 10'6" - 11'6" : 3 piece
TH Progressive :: Progressive Full-Flexing Action Configurations
  • 5wt : 10'0" - 11'6" : 3 piece
  • 6wt : 10'0" - 11'6" : 3 piece
  • 7wt : 10'6" - 11'6" : 3 piece
  • 8wt : 10'6" - 11'6" : 3 piece