About Art

Art Weiler Rods represents the life’s work of master rod maker Art Weiler, whose handcrafted fly rods were built one at a time in his Pennsylvania workshop and fished by anglers around the world. For decades, Art was known for producing bamboo, glass, and specialty fly rods that combined traditional methods, classic tapers, and practical fishing performance.

Art believed that a fly rod should do more than cast a line—it should create a connection between the angler, the water, and the fish. That belief guided every step of his process.

Art built his bamboo rods using time-honored techniques that few modern makers still practice. Each culm of Tonkin cane was hand-split strip by strip to preserve the natural power fibers, never sawn or batch-processed. Nodes were steam-straightened rather than scorched or compressed, and final tapers were achieved by hand planing rather than milling machines.  This meticulous approach resulted in rods that are smooth, progressive, and responsive—rods that load easily at short distances, carry line effortlessly when needed, and transmit the feel of a fish through every fiber of the cane.

Art Weiler Rods is especially well known for faithful reproductions of classic fly rod tapers, including Garrison, Payne, Leonard, Young, Powell, Dickerson, Granger, Gillum, Kreider, and Pezon styles. These rods were not mass-produced copies, but carefully measured and refined interpretations built to honor the originals while offering durability and real-world fishability.  In addition to bamboo rods, Art also produced Willow Glass fly rods using modern S-glass for anglers who appreciate a softer, more forgiving action, as well as specialty rods for small streams, steelhead, salmon, and larger waters.

Art passed away in August 2025, leaving behind a limited number of completed rods from his workshop. The rods offered on this site represent the final inventory personally built and finished by Art. No new rods will be produced.  Each rod includes its original bag and tube unless otherwise noted and has been carefully documented to ensure accuracy, condition, and provenance.

While these rods are collectible, Art always intended his work to be used. They were designed for anglers who value feel, balance, and craftsmanship—and who appreciate tools made with patience, skill, and integrity.  Whether you are an experienced bamboo angler, a collector of classic tapers, or someone discovering traditional fly rods for the first time, we invite you to explore the rods Art left behind and continue their story on the water.