Eden Bromfield

Of necessity, simple feather inlay on bamboo fly rod. Not for the traditionalists but single foot guides (Sic)were used throughout. Rod finished by hand with Epifanes Spar Varnish.

Inlaid wooden handle installed on darkly flamed 9.5 ft, 7 wt bamboo blank. Handle finished with Tung oil and blank with Epifanes spar varnish.

Jungle cock on silk thread base.

Fresh run Atlantic salmon lurking in the grass. The second of the season.

Assorted handle inlay pieces

Inlaid fly rod handle being shaped on the lathe. Wood types used include ebony, amboyna and birds-eye maple. Made entirely with hand tools, except for the lathe shown here. Finally got round to turning this handle down before departing on another fishing trip. Made the mistake of making the handle a little too busy. Also the trim inlays are too thick -- they should have been about 1/16 inch thick. Oh well, next time.....

Native brookies caught 7 June 04. The fly rod is an old 8 wt salmon rod, with plenty of character!!

Prototype "spiral" inlay being turned on the lathe. Similar to the "double helix" design except that this one spirals asymetrically around the blank. Photo shows the other side of the blank with spiral going to the left. If the inlay is extended lengthwise, it becomes a "Butterfly". Interestingly if the blank is rotated the "butterfly" flaps its wings!

Prototype of a new handle inlay, "Spiral", being turned on the lathe. Similar to the earlier Double Helix design except that this one spirals asymetrically around the blank. Photo shows one side of blank with spiral going to the right. If the "Spiral" inlay is extended lengthwise it becomes a "Butterfly".

An octet of tears (an outburst?) being turned on the lathe

Prototype handle inlay being turned on the lathe.

Another view of the prototype "tear drops" handle inlay pieces. All pieces are in the rough and the spurs of ebony need to be sanded off. Note: I am reposting this photo as the last one "disappeared" after a few hours.

New handle inlay pieces. Decided to call this design "teardrops" because of all the grief it gave me in the making! Prototype inlay pieces are in the rough, are covered in red wood dust and the "spurs" of ebony still need to be sanded off.

This is a prototype of a new inlay that is being turned on the lathe. Made without any jig or power tools (except for the lathe shown here). I am in the process of making a number of more complex inlays and photos will be posted when completed.

Thirty-two piece inlays to be used in fly rod handles. Made without a jig or power tools (except for a lathe).