Russ Miller

Here is another view of the handle/reel seat.

This is a custom handle/insert I turned from Maple Burl and Cocobolo. The inert has a flat area for securely mounting the reel with the dual nickle silver slip rings. The end of the insert was bored to accept a flush mounting nickle silver butt cap.

Here is the slip ring uplocking configuration with a hidden hood. User can have uplocking or downlocking configuration based upon the size reel/comfort. Both handle/reel insert are customed turned from maple burl

Both custom turned handle and insert are made of maple burl. I used a cap/ring/hooded ring for the reel seat assy. This is the downlocking slip ring configuration

Turned this beautiful tiger maple cigar handle for a 6'3wt IM6 Tiger Eye blank. Has 3D appearance with nice contrasting veins throughout. Reel insert is made of cocobolo with aluminum downlocking cap/slip ring set.

First time building on a Dorber blank(matte black), very impressive. The handle and reel seat insert are both Alaskan Birch Burl. I used a Pac Bay black anodized dual slip ring hardware set. Winding check, hookeeper and single foot guides are black. Casts nicely in the 40'range and in close at 10-15'. Balances nicely with a small, light reel.

This is a custom handle/reel insert I turned from Alaskan Birch Burl. These pieces have a lot of birdseyes, burls and flame throughout. I used an aluminum downlocking slip ring hardware for the reel seat. Balances really nice on a 7'6" 3/4wt, 4pc Fly Rod.

Here is the completed rod. I used Birch Burl for the reel seat insert and handle assembly. I used black anodized dual sliding bands for the reel seat hardware. The single foot guides and stripping guide were wrapped with garnet thread along with metallic gold trim bands. This rod balances right in the middle of the handle with the J.Ryall Jr. reel.

Here is a close-up of the reel seat.

Here is just a top view of the assembly.

This is a reel seat/handle assembly I made out of Birch Burl. The reel seat is a dual slide band with black anodized hardware. The handle style was an inspiration from the Scott G-Series rods. I used a black rubber winding check to match the reel seat hardware.

I turned a custom cigar grip handle and slip ring reel seat out of maple burl. I used black anodized hardware for the reel seat along with black single snake guides/tip top. I also wrapped the guides with black thread, simple wraps but completes the stealthy look for the 1wt rod.

Here is a close up of the underside of the reel seat. I beaded the butt section of the seat and routed a flat surface to accept the fly reel. I have tried several different reels on it and they all sit tight with the slip rings.

This is a dual slip ring reel seat and cigar grip handle, both made of maple burl. This is for a special 1wt fly rod I am building. Its inspiration came from the Sage SPL 0 and 1 wt rods. The butt cap, slip rings and transition ring are all black anodized aluminum parts. The small cigar handle makes this combo light.

This is a handle/reel seat insert I made from some Alaskan Birch Burl. The reel seat is an uplocking slip ring configuration with a inletted grip and a butt cap.

This is a Handle/Reel Seat combination I turned from a piece of Bocote. This wood turns well and produces a nice finish.

This is a fly rod I just finished making. I used the Dan Craft Sig III, 6'10" 3pc, 1wt blank. I also used a cork handle and cork reel seat with black anodized slip rings,grip check and butt cap to match the blank. I used single foot guides and wrapped them with garnet thread. The completed rod weighed in at 1.4oz.

This is a handle and seat combination I made from some nice Alaskan Birch Burl. It turns glass like when sanded and is light weight.

My first custom rod with a wooden handle. I turned both the handle and reel seat insert from a block of maple burl.