Rocky Mountain High- a Fly Rod Build for a Cause.
This custom build was created as an auction rod for the Olympia / Thurston County Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and honestly, it’s a build that checks a lot of boxes for me personally.
Built on our Prolite Titanium Fly Rod platform in a 5 weight, this rod combines everything I love about a premium trout fly rod — lightweight responsiveness, versatility, clean cosmetics, and enough personality to make it truly one of a kind. If you’ve read any of my previous blogs, you already know I’m a huge fan of our Titanium fly rod series, and this build was no exception.
The goal with this rod was to create a look that balanced natural materials with modern fly rod styling. We kept the cosmetics clean and timeless with a deep dark blue wrap accented by a subtle silver inlay, tying directly into the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation color scheme without overcomplicating the design.
Component-wise, this build features corrosion-resistant ALPS stainless steel guides, a custom fly reel seat, and a traditional cork half wells fly grip — a setup that feels classic in hand while maintaining a refined premium appearance.
The detail that truly brings this rod together, though, is the antler burl butt cap.
This design element first made its debut on our “Peaks & Valleys” custom fly rod, and it’s quickly becoming something I want to explore more within future builds. Incorporating natural materials like antler allows us to create rods that feel rugged, authentic, and connected to the outdoors while still maintaining a clean, elevated custom aesthetic.
For me, that blend of nature, craftsmanship, and modern custom rod building is what makes projects like this so rewarding.
If the antler burl concept catches your eye and you’ve been thinking about building your own custom fly rod, don’t hesitate to reach out. Whether you want us to source materials or you have a personal antler you’d like incorporated into a build, we’re always excited to collaborate and find a way to make your vision come to life.
