Custom Fishing Rods Built in Western Massachusetts

Built for the Way You Fish

At New England Rod Works, I build custom fishing rods by hand in the hills of Franklin County in Western Massachusetts. Each rod is built for the individual angler—from the blank, action and power to the handle, reel seat, guides, thread colors and finishing details.

Whether you’re chasing trout in a small New England stream, bass on your favorite lake, stripers along the coast, steelhead in New York, or looking for a custom fly rod, I’ll work with you to build a rod designed around how and where you fish.

Custom Rods — Not Production Rods

A custom fishing rod should be more than a factory rod with different-colored thread.

Every New England Rod Works build starts with its intended purpose. We’ll choose the blank, length, power, action, handle configuration, reel seat, guides and other components based on the species you target, the techniques you use and your personal preferences.

I build with quality blanks and components from respected manufacturers including St. Croix/Rod Geeks, MHX, North Fork Composites, RainShadow, Fuji, American Tackle and others.

The result is a fishing rod that’s truly built for you.

Freshwater, Saltwater & Fly Rods

New England Rod Works builds custom rods for anglers throughout Massachusetts and New England, including:

  • Trout & ultralight rods

  • Bass spinning & casting rods

  • Striped bass & saltwater rods

  • Steelhead & salmon rods

  • Fly rods

  • Custom technique-specific rods

From a lightweight trout rod to a powerful surf or saltwater build, components can be selected to match both your fishing and your budget.

Memory Rods

Some rods are built to catch fish. Others mean much more.

New England Rod Works also creates custom memory rods incorporating meaningful materials or design elements that honor a family member, friend or special time in someone’s life.

These are some of the most meaningful rods I have the opportunity to build, and each one is treated accordingly.

Available Rods

Don’t want to wait for a completely custom build?

I periodically build finished rods that are available for purchase and ready to fish. Each is built with the same attention to blank selection, components, guide placement and finish as my commissioned custom rods.

Check the Available Rods section to see what’s currently in stock.

Built by an Angler, for Anglers

I built my first fly rod more than 25 years ago and have continued building rods while spending my own time hunting and fishing throughout the Northeast.

Today, New England Rod Works combines that experience with modern rod blanks, components and building techniques to create rods for the fishing we do here in Massachusetts and throughout New England.

This isn’t an assembly line. Each rod is built individually in Western Massachusetts.

Let’s Build Your Rod

Have an exact build in mind? Great.

Not sure which blank, action, guides or components you need? That’s fine too. Tell me what you fish for, where you fish and how you like to fish, and I’ll help you work through the options.

Ready to start a custom rod?

Contact New England Rod Works to discuss your build.