The late, renowned, fly fishing author and angler, Charlie Waterman with his Jenkins GA70 fly rod.

return to models


Index

© 2008  All rights reserved.

 

 

 

Listed here are some comments regarding the Jenkins rod that we have received from satisfied customers.  A few are from publications, but most are from unsolicited letters we have received from enthusiastic owners of our rods. Please remember that these are their words, not ours.  We certainly hope that reprinting them here will not offend any of the kind contributors.

"My new GA 756 #15 is the best overall fly rod I have ever had the pleasure to fish! In a word "excellence" with a DT4F & TT4F.   It feels like a part of me & allows me to enjoy my trout fishing like never before!  Thank you folks."

M.D.C. - La Farge, WI

"If the line is lighter than a 6 I'm pretty sold on bamboo. Right now I am mighty happy with a 7 - foot (2.1 meter) C.W. Jenkins bamboo that takes a 5 line by choice. This one has the admired "bamboo feel", whatever that is. But Jenkins rods are a bit hard to come by these days, the builder is making very few of them." 

Charlie Waterman -  quote from his book Fishing World

"Favorite rods? Sure there were some, and they came from a variety of builders. The last two I remember him discussing were a C.W. Jenkins bamboo for a 5 line and a little glass Winston for a 4. I owned one of the little Winstons and my wife got a Jenkins on Dan's recommendation." 

Charlie Waterman - quote from his book Mist on the River (Remembrances of Dan Bailey)

"Your rod, sir, is outstanding and I think you will be delighted to see how it scored in the December issue of The Anglers' Club Bulletin. In fact, I am so impressed with it that I would like to have it for my personal collection.... Incidentally, this is one of the few rods I have fished that can really handle a No. 3 weight line with authority.... I would very much like to own a few of your exquisite fly rods, as I have been kicking myself for not picking up the one that was in the Anglers' Club Test."

 T. C. Jr. - New York Anglers Club Team Tester

"I only wish it were in my power to make things as lovely as you do. If it is anything like my GA70-47 it will be perfect. GA70-47 is one of the nicest rods I have ever fished with. It is delicate, properly balanced and throws just about the best controlled line of any rod I own or have fished. It casts precisely where I want it to and handles a double taper #5 beautifully." 

L. V. - New York Anglers Club Team Tester

"I picked up one of your used GA70Ls, I think #63, a few months back.  It was used but in near mint condition.  I have fished with a lot of rods during the past forty years and the two best rods I have ever used are my 204 Payne and your GA70L.  Your rod casts effortlessly.  It feels great close in and at a considerable distance, 60' easily.  I have caught several hundred fish on the rod from 18" to 4" with most being in the 10-12" range. The rod definitely feels best with fish under the 14" or so mark.  My point is that even after heavy fishing, the rod has not given the slightest hint of a set.  The rod is very well made and simplistically beautiful, not unlike the Paynes.  Thanks.

B.M - Durham, NC. - formerly of Colorado

"Just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying my new GA70L-84.  As you know, I am not new to bamboo and own or have owned rods by several other very well known and respected rod makers. However, none of the rods combine their fine qualities to match the overall excellence of the Jenkins.  The meticulous workmanship and flawless handsome warm appearance of the bamboo with its color complemented cherry reel seat...are only rivaled by the action of the rod....an unbelievably sweet yet commanding and extremely accurate casting instrument that is a joy to use, which in my opinion is matchless. By far it is the finest rod I have ever owned and I am looking forward to my next Jenkins rod. The findings of the 1976 rod comparisons reported in the anglers Club Bulletin of NY are every bit as accurate in the year 2000! Thanks for a great rod. With Respect."

 R. R. - Newburgh, New York

"I absolutely love the rod…  Everything about the rod is exactly what I was looking for. And the action of the rod is superb! I don’t even have to think about where I want to cast – the fly just goes where I am looking! I bought the rod to fish hard with, not sit in my closet and show my friends. I’m sure I will be giving it a lot of action in the years ahead." 

J.F. - Carson City, Nevada

"Well, now you've done it - I picked up the rod this morning, took it out for a little test drive.  Now I've got a closet full of bamboo rods upstairs that I'm never gonna want to fish again!  You've ruined me! This is all your fault! The rod is absolutely breathtaking, fit and finish are superb - but it was only when I strung it up that I realized what a superb rod it really is.  You just "think" the cast; the rod does the rest, and with a beautiful graceful action, and finesse.  I don't know what else to say, except thanks. All the Best to you and Charlie."

P.P. - Arlington, VA.

"Thanks for the good relationship over the years. Your rods are the best we ever had."

D. B. - Livingston, Montana

"My 7' rod really got put through its paces this past year and it is in perfect shape. Absolutely no sign of any set, and I have not babied the rod a bit. I still love to use my GA70L, especially on spring creeks." 

G.A. - Yellowstone Angler, Livingston, Montana

"The fly rod I ordered arrived yesterday in good shape. It's a fine piece of craftsmanship and I could not be more pleased. I'm positively delighted that you and Steve are maintaining the tradition of craftsmanship and artistry related to the construction of fine cane rods. Thanks again for your workmanship and attention to detail." 

S. S. - Secaucus, New Jersey

"Received your rods last week. We are amazed with the casting ease and loop performance of your rods and even roll casting was easy, in spite of their short length. Just wanted to let you know that we are pleased with the rods and if you ever expand your line please keep us informed." 

B. V. - Rotterdam, Holland

"I have been charmed with your bamboo rod which I bought here in Japan three years ago. I am sure that the rod is real excellent to all fisherman in the world." 

T. F. - Japan

"You may be interested to know that my GA75-33 has caught fish from New York to North Carolina to Michigan and most places in between. I've used it on spring creeks and large rivers. I've never found it lacking in performance and I thank you for caring enough to build such a fine piece of equipment." 

S. W. - North Carolina

"I want to thank you for making me this exquisite cane rod. I have cast it a few times in the yard and it feels so delicate and sweet." 

M.L.L. - Richmond, Virginia

"I received the 5' rod yesterday and it is in excellent condition. I used it last night and quickly caught six trout in a few minutes. I was able to fish sections of the stream behind my house that I was never able to cast to before. Even your 6 footer was too long." 

S. M. - Bath, Pennsylania

"Received my 7' for a #5 from Mr. Bailey today and certainly appreciate all the fine work that you put in it. Really casts beautifully. Am enclosing a copy of a Charlie Waterman article. Don't see how he could be as proud of his Jenkins as I am of mine."

R. B. - Henderson, Kentucky

"It handles a #4 and #5 line to perfection. The rod passes my fondest hopes of what it should be. It will be my favorite rod I'm sure." 

W. G. - Baltimore, Maryland

"I bought last spring one of your 7 1/2' rods from Mr. Udvary. I must admit it was a substitute for another rod. My never having heard about your rods before, I am very happy for that substitute. I am not trying to flatter you when I say it is my favorite rod. I have Leonards, Orvis, Winston, Howells, Uslans, Russ Peaks and Pezon Michels to compare with and still I'm dead honest in saying that your rod is the best there is." 

Dr. L. I.- Falun, Sweden

"The main reason for writing is to say how wonderful your 7 1/2' rod is. I've really only begun fishing it this year as I was devoted to my 7' and 8' Jenkins. It is a marvelous rod. I think it is the finest 6 weight rod I've cast. It throws streamers and big dries easily." 

M. S. - Richmond, Virginia

"I presently own two Jenkins rods, out of a collection of thirteen, and I fish almost exclusively with one or the other Jenkins rods. If you are going to produce rods for individuals, please build a GA70L for me, as this rod will fulfill what has become something of a dream." 

J. M. - Boise, Idaho

"Not long ago I had one of your rods in the shop to do some minor repairs on. I was impressed by the workmanship and action. You are doing a fine job in my opinion." 

T. M. - Twin Bridges, Montana

"I recently purchased an 8' Jenkins rod from Bud Lilly's Trout Shop in West Yellowstone. From what casting I have done with it so far, it seems far and away the most perfect rod I have ever used. I think that for every fisherman there is a rod that just seems to fit and I have high hopes that this is that rod." 

J. T. - Pocatello, Idaho

"I still think you make the finest rod, by far. The first time I cast my GA80 I thought I had died and gone to heaven, I want you to know that I consider it my most prize possession and have enjoyed using it immensely."

K.S. - Wichita, Kansas

"I wanted to take a minute of your time to tell you how pleased I am with the rod you built for me. The taper and action is very nice and the finish work top-rate. The rod fishes a #4 double taper with ease and extreme accuracy. I'm looking forward to owning another fine rod built by yourself. My 756-2 continues to be my favorite rod and I own a number of cane and graphite rods." 

J. C. - Groton, Connecticut

"The photo from your brochure is no match for the elegant beauty encountered on the first glimpse of my GA80-75. I've seen other cane rods, but was startled at the perfection of the finish and detail work... The only thing that exceeds the beauty of my GA80-75 is its casting performance... It's true that the rod almost casts itself... After casting the Jenkins, I now need only one more rod -- another Jenkins."  

B. S. - West St. Paul, Minnesota

"Thanks for the terrific rod, #GA75-78. Workmanship is super and the rod arrived in perfect shape. I have cast the rod and found it to be outstanding. The rod is delicate, very accurate, and sooo… smooth. I like it best with a DT#4. The fly went wherever I looked without any effort and without the rod even ‘breathing hard’. Thanks again for a great rod." 

R.L. -  Port Coquitlam, British Columbia

"While at his home on a mild January day I cast about a dozen rods. I hadn’t asked to see the Jenkins because I thought it would be too light, but after I liked the Garrison I couldn’t afford he urged me to try yours and drew a Garrison connection. I was sampling all the rods with a Hardy DT5F line, and liked yours instantly. This is my first bamboo rod. It is not likely to be my last, nor my last of yours." 

R.S. - New York, New York.

return to top

Index


Email: rodmaker@sopris.net