Chasing Trout with Mans Best friend.
Some custom rods mean a little more.
This build started when a customer from the Midwest reached out looking to create something truly special for her husband — not just a custom ultralight fishing rod, but a way to preserve the memory of their beloved family pup and lifelong adventure buddy.
This wasn’t just a dog. This was a fishing partner, travel companion, and part of countless outdoor memories.
The goal of this build was simple, yet deeply meaningful: create a rod that would allow them to continue their adventures while always carrying a piece of him along for the journey.
This custom memorial rod was designed to discreetly hold the ashes of their beloved companion, creating something functional, personal, and emotionally connected to the experiences they shared together.
Built on our Prolite SVX platform, this rod takes ultralight fishing to another level. Coming in at an incredibly compact 5'4" length with a 2–6 lb line rating, this setup was purpose-built for the style of fishing they know and love — chasing brook trout and ultralight freshwater species across Midwest waters and backcountry adventures.
To tie the rod into their fishing lifestyle, we created a completely hand-painted brook trout inspired pattern across the build.
Drawing from the unmistakable colors of wild brook trout — vibrant greens, reds, yellows, and spotted markings — the rod became a rolling canvas that celebrates both the fish they love pursuing and the memories tied to those trips. The pattern was entirely hand-painted and pushed our creativity in ways we genuinely enjoyed.
Much like our previous rainbow trout themed ultralight build, this design remains a true one-of-one custom fishing rod that we have yet to duplicate.
The combination of the compact ultralight platform, brook trout inspired cosmetics, and memorial purpose resulted in something incredibly unique — a rod built not only for catching fish, but for carrying memories forward.
Projects like this are a reminder that custom rod building goes beyond performance and components. Sometimes it’s about honoring stories, celebrating adventures, and making sure the things — and companions — that mattered most never stop coming along for the ride.
If you’ve ever considered building a custom memorial fishing rod, incorporating meaningful materials, ashes, artwork, or personal themes into a build, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always honored to help bring those ideas to life with care, creativity, and respect.