The Bamboo Rod Craftsman
Hello, I'm Trevor and fly fishing saved my life. In 2014, I was in a bad car accident. The truck I was riding in drifted off the freeway when the driver dozed off, and we rolled five times. Paramedics had to remove the truck's roof to get me out, but miraculously everyone survived. I suffered a broken neck, nerve damage, and lost function in my left hand. Despite months of extremely slow rehabilitation, I struggled to find hope and eventually fell into drug addiction.
Eventually, I checked into an inpatient rehab facility and soon after, I discovered the therapeutic benefits of fly fishing and tying flies. I began to realize that fly fishing was not just a hobby but also a powerful tool that helped me stay focused and centered. Nowadays, I spend over 100 days a year on the water, refining my skills and finding peace in the beauty of nature.
As my interest in fly fishing deepened, I became fascinated by the boats and rods that fly fishermen have developed over the centuries. I wanted to dive deeper into the craft and create something unique and functional. This drive to create something new and unique beyond just tying flies led me to pursue rod building. Bamboo in particular to was inspiring me because there was so much craftsmanship and precision involved. No two bamboo rods have ever been perfectly identical. Natural variations in the bamboo itself make this impossible, and I think that’s fascinating. Fortunately, before I became overwhelmed with the process of learning how to make cane rods, I had the good fortune of meeting a skilled rod maker named Jon Holland through a local fly shop. After getting to know me and my interest in the craft, he kindly offered to serve as my mentor.
Jon's decades of experience in rod making and his cranky energy have proven to be invaluable in my journey to master the craft of building split cane rods. Despite being among the younger people selling rods, I am proud to be a part of the new generation of bamboo rod makers. Quality is at the forefront of my work, and I'm constantly striving to improve my craft and create exceptional products for my customers. As the fly fishing community grows and evolves, I believe it's important to honor the traditions and techniques of the past while also incorporating new innovations and ideas. Over the years I’ve grown fond of “convex” tapers that easily load into the butt section. They’re powerful, accurate, and everything I could ask for in a fly rod. We have caught 20+ pound carp on my bamboo 5-weights without breaking a sweat, and 35 pound redfish on my cane 9-weight.
I Also Make Bamboo Spey Rods!
Swinging flies is one of the most relaxing ways to fish, and fishing with a cane spey rod brings it all together. They are heavier but require less effort to cast once you get the timing down. The feel of the sweep and cast is unparalleled in modern materials. Daniel Ritz, an outdoor journalist, author, and my friend, strongly believes in my trout spey rods. He has one of mine that he calls his ‘Daily Driver.’
Custom Bamboo Fly Rods
Elevate Fly Fishing is owned and operated by Trevor Sheehan. After years of rodmaking, Trevor has decided to offer his services worldwide; creating custom-built split cane fly rods at an approachable price point. Trevor collaborates with every client to design their perfect rod. EFF also has a selection of fly fishing and lifestyle apparel.
My Guarantee
If you are not satisfied with the workmanship of my fly rods, the esthetics, or performance, I will make things right. If you shut it in a car door, stick it in a ceiling fan or otherwise abuse your rod I will do my best to repair or replace it at a reasonable cost. If it fails to live up to your expectations, send it back within 30 days of shipping in good condition (and tell me why so it doesn’t happen again) for a full or partial refund. I want my customers to be happy. and will take care of you.
My rods are all crafted to the highest standards using only top-quality Tonkin cane, hardwood reel seats, and premium hardware. I am not a mass-production company and every rod is made with careful attention to detail. I believe there are no shortcuts when it comes to craftsmanship. The art of hand-making bamboo fly rods was passed down to me by my mentor Jon and plenty of books on the craft.
I build 6 sided fly rods that are coated with an ultra-low build protective coating before wrapping the guides on to protect the blank. A customizable cork grip is then glued directly on the blank of each rod, this allows you to accent the grip with different burl patterns for a unique and beautiful look. It also will last longer than a pre-shaped grip because each ring is glued to the blank. You pick your grip shape, size, and style and I will make it happen!
The look of the finished rod is entirely up to the customer. All of my rods are accented with an agate stripping guide. The hardware is all nickel silver and all of the snake guides used are the best in the industry. Unless otherwise requested customer rods are finished with a very durable high gloss varnish. Quality components, quality construction, and quality design are things I take pride in.
The philosophy I have for my own tapers is that the rod should respond well to both a slow casting stroke and a hard haul. They should be as accurate at 50 feet as they are at 20, be soft enough for tippet protection, have a superb feel, and have the guts to dump a hero cast with the suggested line weight. I achieve this by precise hollowing of the rod and my own style of progressive taper with a swelled butt. EFF fly rods are purpose-driven casting tools and works of art. I’ve developed a hollowing system that makes incremental adjustments in wall thickness and uniform strips easily and reliably. There is no guesswork.
About Trevor
Trevor is a volunteer project coordinator for TU and a corporate sponsor for Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. We support conservation and our access to the beautiful public lands that we all enjoy in America.
To me, fly fishing is a practice of mindfulness. Not thinking about deadlines or the stressors in your life, but immersing yourself in a puzzle that can never fully be understood. Being in touch with your surroundings and your fly rod will let you enjoy the experience more. I’m not a bamboo snob or purist, but I believe bamboo fly rods have the best casting feel and there’s a characteristic soul in a bamboo rod that comes to life when casted and with every run and head shake a fish makes.
Trevor is guiding full-time for Drift West in McCall, Idaho. If you are interested in booking a trip, you can find their information here.
EFF is a proud corporate Sponsor of Idaho Backcountry Hunters And Anglers, and is a Trout Unlimited Business
Not only do I want to deliver a beautiful fly rod, my rods are built to be fished! I would like to hear where you will be fishing and for what species you are using these rods. If you would like to talk about options, get a quote on a custom rod, or just BS about fishing, send me an email!