Old Soul Rod Co.

06/10/2026

BACK IN PRINT!

Thomas Ames has updated his highly sought after fly fishing hatch pocket guide, Hatch Guide for New England Streams. This updated volume examines how hatch-matching patterns and techniques have evolved in the 21st Century to meet the changing and challenging conditions of our Eastern rivers and streams. The Pocket Guide to Eastern Hatches provides easy-to-follow pattern recipes, detailed descriptions, and illuminating photographs of both the natural insects and their artificial imitations.

Great grab for the fly fishing dad in your life. A few in stock at $29.95!

06/03/2026

05/29/2026

You’ve asked.
We’ve listened,
and got our asses in gear.

Coming soon.

05/27/2026

Another custom sent off today. And this one pushed me.

A 9’ 6wt CTS Affinity X built from the ground up with more handwork than most rods that leave my bench. The grip was completely made and shaped from scratch, and the fighting butt I hand carved to shape and sanded to size.

Three crimson agate stripping guides. Birds eye maple reel seat insert. Spare tip. Blaze orange and hunter green fade wraps finished with a subtle white trim band.

One of my favorite parts of this build was the process behind it. The client and I stayed in touch through every stage; bouncing ideas, sending progress photos, and making small adjustments along the way to make sure every detail felt right. That kind of collaboration is a huge part of what makes a custom rod actually feel custom. It’s a relationship, it’s teamwork. It’s not a transaction.

When he came in to pick it up today, I asked him to hold the grip and tell me where he wanted it sanded down some more, and I finished the adjustments right there in the shop until it fit his hand the way he wanted. That’s the kind of stuff you just don’t get off a rack.

There were moments during this build that really put my abilities and creativity to the test. But those are usually the ones that end up teaching me the most.

Proud of this one.

05/27/2026

Built for Labrador.
Inspired by brook trout.
Finished for a friend.

This one started with a 9’ 8wt Sage R8 Core blank and turned into something pretty damn special. Subtle brookie influence throughout the build, tied together with one of my favorite custom inscriptions I’ve done yet:

“Labrador Trout Retriever.”

Can’t wait to see this thing bent into fish somewhere far north this fall.

05/21/2026

Spent the last year building rods for everyone else. Finally carved out the time to build one for me.

9’ 5wt. Built exactly the way I wanted it.

Turns out waiting a year made the first cast hit a little different.

04/30/2026

An Old Soul classic reinvented for a good friend. Black and gold, it never gets old. Fast action 7’6” 4wt.

01/23/2026

Rod building is slow and patient work. For me personally, it’s the kind that teaches more than it takes. When I was asked to be the rod building instructor for the Southern Maine chapter of Project Healing Waters this season, it was an immediate yes, and it’s an absolute honor. Their mission serves veterans through fly fishing, connection, and purpose. I’m grateful for the chance to give back in a way that feels true to my brand, my hands, and my heart. 🤘🏻

01/15/2026

Asked what colors he wanted.
He said, “Same as the boat.”
Say less.
9’ 8wt → Bahamas bound, bonefish to answer for.