Too bad nobody taking on the cause from them. Soon there will be only one brand available. Mitsubishi! 
Bruce and Walker, Sad News, But Good News Follows
Not sure how many already know this, but I just read on a UK forum, and then confirmed it on the B&W website that B&W has stopped making rods. It was news to me. Apparently they will continue to supply blanks to order, but the days of the beautiful custom B&W rods appear to be over. As a long time enthusiast, it left me saddened that these great rods will no longer be available to the spey community. Times move on, but this was a shocker.
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Thanks for passing this on. Sad to hear and will treasure mine much more now.
Hello All,
It is true that Bruce and Walker will no longer be "FINISHING" rods. However, not to worry as they will still be making the same great rods, painted as well. The two employees that finished B&W rods for nearly 40 years are retiring and they have not been able to fill their positions. I have already lined up an expert finisher here in the states that will be completing the rods for B&W North America. The components will be exactly the same, reel seats, end caps, handles and wraps, nothing is changing. The only difference is they will be finished in the US rather than England. We all know what makes a great rod is the rod itself and not the way it is finished. Well you will still be able to have the great B&W action as the blanks will still be hand-rolled in their small shop in England as they have been for over 60 years. B&W has assured me they have no intention of closing up shop, they will be providing me these wonderful blanks for many years to come. I hope this clears things up and removes any confusion and concerns among everyone.
Thanks very much
Gene Oswald
Bruce and Walker North America
It is true that Bruce and Walker will no longer be "FINISHING" rods. However, not to worry as they will still be making the same great rods, painted as well. The two employees that finished B&W rods for nearly 40 years are retiring and they have not been able to fill their positions. I have already lined up an expert finisher here in the states that will be completing the rods for B&W North America. The components will be exactly the same, reel seats, end caps, handles and wraps, nothing is changing. The only difference is they will be finished in the US rather than England. We all know what makes a great rod is the rod itself and not the way it is finished. Well you will still be able to have the great B&W action as the blanks will still be hand-rolled in their small shop in England as they have been for over 60 years. B&W has assured me they have no intention of closing up shop, they will be providing me these wonderful blanks for many years to come. I hope this clears things up and removes any confusion and concerns among everyone.
Thanks very much
Gene Oswald
Bruce and Walker North America
Much better news Gene, I'm sure there will be many who applaud this development--would have been sad to see B&W disappear.
@spencesbridge And what about orders placed, but waiting for delivery ( in my case, order was placed in August, paid in full)
Post submission add. For others, Gene and I talked, and my blank is in the US now and in the queue for be built up.
I also add, I had also reached out to Gene by phone and email, and not only here. Gene call back.
Post submission add. For others, Gene and I talked, and my blank is in the US now and in the queue for be built up.
I also add, I had also reached out to Gene by phone and email, and not only here. Gene call back.
I know this isn’t exactly related but can you order B&W blanks through Bruce and Walker North America. I have always been interested in them but would prefer to build my own if possible.
Hello, please send me a PM.@spencesbridge And what about orders placed, but waiting for delivery ( in my case, order was placed in August, paid in full)
Thanks, Gene
Yes absolutely, I can now provide blanks for any rods we make. Happy to get one started for you.I know this isn’t exactly related but can you order B&W blanks through Bruce and Walker North America. I have always been interested in them but would prefer to build my own if possible.
Gene
Might be worth editing the headline to this post to reflect the good news.
Sad news indeed ... however it looks like Gene has it all under control
Mike
Mike
Wow I’m saddened yet super happy that Bruce and Walker will continue.
I note that I received my rod - Walker 6pc 8wt 13'6" - about 3 weeks ago. The quality of the workmanship is great, and as I got this rod just after coming back from bonefishing, it took me a couple of outings to adjust my cast. I have a tried several lines, and in order
a. Gaelforce EEMT 89 - 47' and 670 grains .... I just could not get this rod to sing. My first (and wrong) thought, I needed more weight
b. Boss 89 - better, but clearly a little too much weight
c. Guideline 3D Scandi FHI 910 (but it is lighter) and starting to feel good at 38' and 570 grains
I just received a Bridge Wintertide 89 32' 550 grains and then I put on the EEMT tip (think it is a RIO 15' 9wt - 135 grains). Though Tim at Bridge suggests a smaller tip, which I will try.
d. Wintertide 89 + 9wt tip - 47' 685 grains ... and it feels great.
The irony is the high level description of the EEMT 89 and Wintertide 89 are so similar, you would think I would not report such a difference, but it could be me. Why the difference in performance in my hand ... Shape, core and-or me? I will do some experimenting this weekend on the shore of the fast water, and I have several different RIO tips to experiment with.
I note Gene's recommendation is
e. Nextcast 45 89 - looking at the WA - 44' and 630 grains
f. Nextcast 55 89 - looking at the WA - 51' and 650 grains
I have a Stewart 300 on order, but for now, the rod is well balance with a Nautilus 12S.
a. Gaelforce EEMT 89 - 47' and 670 grains .... I just could not get this rod to sing. My first (and wrong) thought, I needed more weight
b. Boss 89 - better, but clearly a little too much weight
c. Guideline 3D Scandi FHI 910 (but it is lighter) and starting to feel good at 38' and 570 grains
I just received a Bridge Wintertide 89 32' 550 grains and then I put on the EEMT tip (think it is a RIO 15' 9wt - 135 grains). Though Tim at Bridge suggests a smaller tip, which I will try.
d. Wintertide 89 + 9wt tip - 47' 685 grains ... and it feels great.
The irony is the high level description of the EEMT 89 and Wintertide 89 are so similar, you would think I would not report such a difference, but it could be me. Why the difference in performance in my hand ... Shape, core and-or me? I will do some experimenting this weekend on the shore of the fast water, and I have several different RIO tips to experiment with.
I note Gene's recommendation is
e. Nextcast 45 89 - looking at the WA - 44' and 630 grains
f. Nextcast 55 89 - looking at the WA - 51' and 650 grains
I have a Stewart 300 on order, but for now, the rod is well balance with a Nautilus 12S.
@raspberry-patch >>> Congratulations on a fine piece of kit!! I saw your rod posted on the Bruce & Walker North America FB page ... very handsome and finishes are superb!! Hats off to Gene and his crew for producing such quality
I have the 3-pc version and I really enjoyed the Gaelforce 8/9 EEMT. It was instant joy for me. It was effortless.
I will say a Nextcast Steelhead Finder 8/9 (550 grain) with a 15ft Rio 9wt tip was pretty spectacular for me as well.
The Gaelforce #8 15M Extended Spey Head is really growing on me.
Mike
I have the 3-pc version and I really enjoyed the Gaelforce 8/9 EEMT. It was instant joy for me. It was effortless.
I will say a Nextcast Steelhead Finder 8/9 (550 grain) with a 15ft Rio 9wt tip was pretty spectacular for me as well.
The Gaelforce #8 15M Extended Spey Head is really growing on me.
Mike
I've found the #10 Gaelforce ESH at 39' and 600 grains on the 6 piece to be one of the easiest casting setups I've ever used on any rod. Used that combo to teach quite often.
And that 550 wintertide is also incredible for a light tip line.
And that 550 wintertide is also incredible for a light tip line.
Raspberry-patch where are you positioning your anchor point, mid section of sink tip beside you, end of sink tip beside you?I note that I received my rod - Walker 6pc 8wt 13'6" -
I just received a Bridge Wintertide 89 32' 550 grains and then I put on the EEMT tip (think it is a RIO 15' 9wt - 135 grains). Though Tim at Bridge suggests a smaller tip, which I will try.
d. Wintertide 89 + 9wt tip - 47' 685 grains ... and it feels great.
Why I ask is because I have that line with those tips and sometimes I pull off this incredible tight arrow loop that absolutely flies and I'm not really sure how I accomplished it....
Casting a B&W Hexagraph 8-10 13' with this set up.
@AJS Reels I will have to cast again to confirm what I think.
@raspberry-patch @GR8LAKES FLYER @Attack
I have the 3pc 8136 on order, how much difference is there in the 3 vs 6 pc? I am about to order a couple of lines so I am ready when it arrives, thought of the 45 or 55' Fall Favorites in the 8/9, and the Gaelforce #8 15M Extended Spey Head. All of my fishing is summer runs with floating lines.
I have the 3pc 8136 on order, how much difference is there in the 3 vs 6 pc? I am about to order a couple of lines so I am ready when it arrives, thought of the 45 or 55' Fall Favorites in the 8/9, and the Gaelforce #8 15M Extended Spey Head. All of my fishing is summer runs with floating lines.
@coug . I cannot comment on the 3pc. Yesterday, I went out with the Bridge Wintertide and put on a 15' 7 wt RIO replacement tip and a light fly (one of my spade), and it was just awesome. It is now trying to become a favourite and over-shadow the Burkie 7134.
correction after initial posting - the tip was from another kit - Airflo 12+; 7wt Intermediate at 82 grains.
Tim also recommended the Tributary 89 if you just want floating. As I look at my changes in how "I want to fish", I am retreating to just floating and FHI tip lines.
I just received my Guideline 3D HI 12' 7gram (108 grain) tip today.
The Nextcast line looks great and the 55 is calling, but shipping to Canada is expensive. Good news is that Simon does not use UPS, but still the Fedex cost and fees (before tax is almost as much as the line!), and also the shipping is tax. It is like donating 100C$ to Fedex and another 40C$ to the government for a single line. Ouch. So I am holding off, until I am in the US.
After this experimentation is completed, I will have to go back to the EEMT.
correction after initial posting - the tip was from another kit - Airflo 12+; 7wt Intermediate at 82 grains.
Tim also recommended the Tributary 89 if you just want floating. As I look at my changes in how "I want to fish", I am retreating to just floating and FHI tip lines.
I just received my Guideline 3D HI 12' 7gram (108 grain) tip today.
The Nextcast line looks great and the 55 is calling, but shipping to Canada is expensive. Good news is that Simon does not use UPS, but still the Fedex cost and fees (before tax is almost as much as the line!), and also the shipping is tax. It is like donating 100C$ to Fedex and another 40C$ to the government for a single line. Ouch. So I am holding off, until I am in the US.
After this experimentation is completed, I will have to go back to the EEMT.
@AJS Reels If I understand the Q is right, last night using the Bridge Wintertide, most or all of the 15' 7wt tip was part of the anchor.
As the water is high, my feet is in the water - just - so the anchor is in front. I was using waterborne anchors, but a couple of the snake rolls look good, and was the single spey. I cast cack-handled and right handed. Often I am better cack-handed.
There is another thread about hands, and frankly I mixed up .... Hockey left (goalie and playing wing), Baseball switch, Golf right, Goofie on a snowboard, and as I am left eye, I shoot left (bow and gun), but I write right. So I am down right confused ball of sinew and twine. But this is not a bad thing, I think of Ringo's right hand kit, but he is a leftie, so his rhythm has more sole than many other drummers (I also keep to the piano (the brother was the drummer)).
As the water is high, my feet is in the water - just - so the anchor is in front. I was using waterborne anchors, but a couple of the snake rolls look good, and was the single spey. I cast cack-handled and right handed. Often I am better cack-handed.
There is another thread about hands, and frankly I mixed up .... Hockey left (goalie and playing wing), Baseball switch, Golf right, Goofie on a snowboard, and as I am left eye, I shoot left (bow and gun), but I write right. So I am down right confused ball of sinew and twine. But this is not a bad thing, I think of Ringo's right hand kit, but he is a leftie, so his rhythm has more sole than many other drummers (I also keep to the piano (the brother was the drummer)).
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