The Return of the Grande Ronde: A 3-Weight Built for Small Waters

The return of a classic.

Late April is a special time in the fly fishing season. Runoff is peaking, small streams are clear, and the fish start looking up. This year we’re bringing you something special to meet that moment!

We’re thrilled to announce the return of the Grande Ronde, the most beloved small-water rod we’ve ever built.

At 6' 6" and 3-weight, the Grande Ronde is short, light, and alive in the hand. It’s built on the Dickerson 6611 taper, a historic design known for its crisp recovery and responsive feel.

This is a rod for anglers who move slowly and cast deliberately. For those who read seams, dodge brush, and wade in cold headwaters. For those who know the thrill of a six-inch trout rising in a pool no wider than a kayak.

What it's made for:

• Tight streams where casting lanes are narrow

• Overgrown creeks with complex currents

• Dry fly presentations that need to land soft

• Emergers fished just beneath the surface

• Backcountry water where stealth is everything

It’s a light-touch rod with a strong sense of purpose.

Crafted to fish, not sit on a shelf.

As with every rod we make, the Grande Ronde is built from premium Tonkin bamboo, hand-split and planed to perfection. Each one includes:

• Two-piece construction with two tips (and offered with one tip in the Favorite Series)

• Medium action tuned for smooth, quiet casting

• Agate stripping guide and double-foot snake guides

• Burled hardwood reel seat and western cork grip

• Protective cotton rod sock and Cordura tube

• Backed by our 30-day guarantee and lifetime warranty

Shipping soon – preorder now.

We’re putting the finishing touches on this first batch now. If you’ve been waiting for a truly creek-ready rod to add to your lineup—or if you’ve fished one of these before and have been hoping for its return—this is your window.

Preorders are open now, and we expect to begin shipping in the third week of the month.

Click here to go to the Grande Ronde Rods. 

As always, quantities are limited.

Stay tuned for a launch email with a special preorder offer. The Grande Ronde isn’t just a pleasure to cast—it brings small water to life in a way that stays with you long after the last fish of the day.

See you on the water,

David
Headwaters Bamboo