The Paul Young Driggs River Special is a highly regarded bamboo fly rod, known for its delicate action and suitability for small streams. Here’s a breakdown of its key features and considerations for reproduction:
Specifications:
– Length: 7’2″
– Line Weight: 4 (DT or WF)
– Action: Medium-fast (progressive taper, crisp but forgiving)
– Ferrules: Step-down or swelled butt design (typical of Young’s tapers)
– Grip: Cigar or semi-half wells
– Reel Seat: Down-locking (often with a walnut or similar hardwood spacer)
Reproduction Considerations:
1. Taper Design:
– The Driggs River Special has a modified parabolic taper, offering a smooth, progressive flex with reserve power in the butt section.
– Original tapers may be found in “The Lovely Reed” (by Hoagy Carmichael) or through taper archives (e.g., Hexrod, RodDNA).
2. Bamboo Selection:
– Tonkin cane (Arundinaria amabilis) is the standard.
– Flamed or blonde finish (Young often used lightly flamed rods).
3. Construction Tips:
– Ferrules: Use step-down or Super-Z ferrules for authenticity.
– Wraps: Classic orange/black or red/black tipping (varies by era).
– Varnish: Light, hand-rubbed spar varnish for a traditional look.
4. Action & Performance:
– Designed for delicate dry-fly presentations on small rivers (like the Driggs River in Michigan).
– Works well with DT4 or WF4 lines (some prefer silk lines for vintage feel).
Where to Find Original Plans?
– “The Lovely Reed” (Hoagy Carmichael) contains Paul Young tapers.
– Rodmakers’ archives (Clark’s Classic Bamboo Rod Forum, Bamboo Rodmaking Group).
– Hexrod (online taper calculator) may have approximations.
Would you like guidance on specific steps (e.g., heat treating, glue selection) or sourcing materials?