Our Tapers

Honoring the Masters

For over two decades we've been making our customers happy with bamboo fly rods that are precisely built with heritage tapers. The taper dictates a rod's action and its unique casting soul. Every rod in our collection is meticulously crafted to an iconic legendary taper. We pay homage to the giants who designed these tapers and developed the art of rod building. 

We believe that experiencing the magic of a Dickerson's crisp recovery, a Payne's gentle touch, a Young's soulful flex, or a Granger's powerful progression shouldn't be an over-priced luxury reserved for just a few.

Our unique approach, refined over thousands of rods sold, allows us to offer these classic tapers at a value previously unimaginable.

The Dickerson Tapers

Charles F. Dickerson was an uncompromising perfectionist whose rods are celebrated for their precise, medium-fast actions and exceptional accuracy.

A Dickerson taper often delivers remarkable line control and a delightful balance of power and feel, making it a favorite for those who appreciate nuanced casting.

• The Grande Ronde (Dickerson 6611): Our Grande Ronde faithfully captures the essence of Dickerson's meticulous design, offering a crisp, responsive feel in a versatile 6'6" 3-weight. It's a joy for delicate presentations and intimate water, embodying Dickerson's pursuit of casting precision.

• The Deschutes (Dickerson 8014): The Deschutes brings Dickerson's balanced power to an 8'0" 6-weight. This rod provides remarkable authority and casting distance while maintaining classic bamboo feel, making it ideal for larger waters and more demanding conditions.

The Payne Tapers

E.F. Payne is universally revered for crafting some of the most elegant and beloved bamboo rods ever made. His tapers are famous for their smooth, parabolic action, characterized by a deep, forgiving bend throughout the rod.

A Payne taper offers a wonderfully relaxed casting stroke, making it a joy to fish all day, excelling in delicate presentations and medium distances.

• The Beaverhead (Payne 98): Our Beaverhead, built to the classic Payne 98 taper, delivers quintessential silky-smooth, deep-flexing action in a versatile 7'0" 4-weight. It's incredibly forgiving and a delight for dry fly work and graceful presentations.

• The Gallatin (Payne 100): The Gallatin faithfully recreates the beloved Payne 100 taper in a 7'6" 4-weight. This rod epitomizes casting elegance, providing a fluid, relaxed stroke and superb line control, perfect for extended fishing sessions.

The Paul H. Young Tapers

Paul H. Young was a true innovator, constantly experimenting to create unique and highly specialized rods. His tapers are celebrated for their progressive action, blending power with responsiveness in a distinct way.

A Paul H. Young taper offers a versatile and responsive feel, excelling in diverse fishing situations.

• The Henrys Fork (Paul H. Young Para 14): The Henrys Fork is built to the renowned Paul H. Young Para 14 taper, providing a distinctive progressive action in a 7'9" 5-weight. This rod has a remarkable blend of power and finesse, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of trout fishing scenarios, from delicate dry fly casts to throwing streamers.

The Granger Tapers

The Granger Rod Company produced robust and powerful bamboo rods, especially favored by anglers in the American West.

Granger tapers are known for their progressive, often faster action, providing ample backbone for handling larger fish or casting in challenging, windy conditions, without sacrificing their fundamental bamboo soul.

• The McKenzie (Granger 8642): Our McKenzie captures the spirited action of the Granger 8642 taper in an 8'6" 5-weight. This rod offers a powerful yet refined casting experience, providing the necessary backbone for longer casts and managing larger fish, while retaining the deep flex cherished in bamboo.

The Headwaters Advantage: Legacy and Precision within Reach

Each Headwaters rod is a testament to our long-standing commitment. We’ve sold thousands of rods over two decades. Our unique approach ensures that every bamboo strip is meticulously hand-split, hand-planed, and joined to perfectly recreate these master designs.

This unwavering dedication maintained through 23 years of consistent partnership with our expert artisan workshops means  you receive a rod that truly embodies its legendary heritage.

We invite you to explore our collection and discover the unparalleled casting experience of a Headwaters Bamboo rod, where legendary design meets accessible excellence backed by a proven legacy.