Tom Maxwell
~Tom Maxwell 7 ft. 3pc/2 tips. This is easily the nicest Maxwell rod I have ever seen and it remains in mint condition. Tom was one of the two founding partners of Thomas & Thomas; he also managed rod building and design at Leonard after the split at T&T, creating some of the finest actions ever built at that old firm. Maxwell rods are rare and even more so in this configuration with the bamboo rod tube; a close old friend of Tom's tells me he believes very few rods like this were ever built. It is an iconic example of modern bamboo work by one of the most significant figures in the more recent bamboo tradition. This rod may have been lawn cast, but appears not to have been fished and feels like it would handle a #4 line. Action is a moderate progressive dry fly, not as rapier quick as one might expect from this maker; it feels exquisite to me and is definitely my kind of action. The only markings on the rod are "TLM" under the wrap above the grip, which is repeated under the famous 'man in top-hat fly caster' made famous by this maker. The narrow slide band is evocative of the Leonard ACM model, but the reel-seat accepts standard reel feet. You may never see one like this again. SOLD Click on smaller images to enlarge
