Discovering Streams, Sand Bars and Urban Honey Holes With A Brackish Outfitters Rod
Geoff Klane aims to fish
“Hellooooooo Todd!” Positive energy from a cheerful greeting. His spirit flooded my cellphone as I began a conversation with custom rod builder Geoff Klane, the artist behind Lowell, Massachusett’s Brackish Outfitters. Even with our shared constraints for time, as he raced through errands and I to save each of his words, our talk travelled easily from Geoff’s home waters to a new zero weight rod build to brookies sipping flies in magical western Massachusetts streams. That’s where Geoff really shines, out of any spotlight, off a gravel road where slight blue map lines whisper adventure, where slivers of light trace through oak and hemlock canopies, where trophies are raised for an instant at most before swimming from an open palm. Geoff Klane is a seasoned rod builder, passionate stream guide and successful fly tyer who combines all positive energies into his Brackish Outfitters business. Brackish Outfitters builds lifetime rods and he leads anglers to moments of joy on nearly silent ribbons with perfect spaces to cast a two weight or to living rooms, where clients admire his craft.
Lifetime rods begin with trust
We first met years ago at RI and MA Trout Unlimited council meetings on cold Sunday mornings, trying to support and elevate the conservation mission of TU. I remember a morning in Worcester when he showed up for coffee in waders, having just climbed up from a local stream.
Geoff Klane photo
His wet foot prints on the carpet and obvious passion made a major impression on me. Geoff’s appearance and entry should be a poster for Trout Unlimited: someone who left a brisk spring morning stream to climb three flights of stairs to offer words to a conversation about conservation. Through the years, he has confidently built a clientel who appreciate deep woods and Main Street fishing. From the busy pavement of Lowell, where the storied Merrimack provided colonial power while a rebellious Pawtucket Canal carved its own path, there are bass and gorgeous carp to be caught and released while cars and workdays whizz past. And Geoff knows where they are. Brackish Outfitters builds lifetime rods: spinning rods for fooling giant striped bass cruising late night beaches and slender stream rods for presenting #18 dry flies to wary wild trout. Geoff has a gift for rod building bouyed by a unique appreciation for patience while listening closely to people and water. Art meets stream.
Brackish Outfitters and Relentless Art
five piece 0 weight rod
Geoff’s newest project is a five piece, 5′-10″ 0 weight that converts easily to a 6′-6″ 1 weight. That takes a moment to set in because it’s a wild idea and very much Geoff. Sourcing components from all over the country, this rod is a slim masterpiece built from a convertible 5+1 fiberglass blank with a unique clear butt section. He completes each with ghost wraps, silk trim bands, chrome guides and a “color-matched agate stripping guide.”
Classic Geoff Klane craftsmanship
“It’s superduperly light,” he said, through a laugh revealing his delight. “It’s an incredible little rod, it’s a daily driver.” Easy to pack, assemble and cast, he added, “I only fish my own rods. How else am I suppposed to expect other people to try one?”
Chris Smither, the extraordinary western Mass. singer songwriter wrote, perhaps not specifially about fly fishing, “As the whisper you can hardly hear that tells you why.” Can you see it now? Whispy false casts, arms by your side, bent knees in waders, serenly steady between tall grasses and a bowed long maple leader, advancing yellow line towards a cool pool, the feel of smooth cork with an eye appreciating small, tight loops behind you, then silent deliveries issued with great expectations. All the while, Geoff guides your rythyms and timing, watches your steps on smooth stones then gravel tracts, his eyes watching your casts and subtle rises. Can’t you just feel the ease of fiberglass and summer heat? That’s where Geoff Klane makes his living with flies, rods and guides.
Geoff’s work is a celebration of a relentless artist building what he loves to create and enjoy, knowing his customers will admire each one as much because his years on small streams is marbled into every rod. If you want to speak with Geoff about a day on the water or a custom build, you can reach him at geoff@brackishflies.com.
Well thank you but consider first that I have much gear to share, to get you hooked, before you start hoarding away money for your own expensive gear. Just trying to help…
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Another great article. It makes contemplate taking up another expensive hobby I don’t have time for.
Well thank you but consider first that I have much gear to share, to get you hooked, before you start hoarding away money for your own expensive gear. Just trying to help…