Update on John A. Bradford

Re: Update on John A. Bradford

feeds@yuku.com (fishbates) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:23:56 GMT

I too have really enjoyed John's rods, i have one a 3 piece and one more being built but may never get, what a wonderful rod, cant say enough, suprised his rods dont sell for more on the used market. John is also a great guy, spending his last years taking care of his wife.

dave

Re: Update on John A. Bradford

feeds@yuku.com (thegubster) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:10:02 GMT

Dr. Knuemann,

That was fine story you shared with us. I'm happy it all turned out as well as it has for you. I think we are all fortunate to have a fellow like John Bradford amongst us.

In my beginnings with cane, not too long ago now, I bought one of John's rods from a dealer online. I liked it but needed some $$ and so sold it to a friend for what I'd paid. I regret that to this day.

I liked the rod but...I was new. I wish I'd known more about...

Re: Update on John A. Bradford

feeds@yuku.com (bobbeegee) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 07:20:15 GMT

Eric,

I thoroughly enjoyed your thoughts and recollections on Mr. Bradford.

Welcome, and please post more often if something strikes your fancy!

Bob

Re: Update on John A. Bradford

feeds@yuku.com (eric in dallas) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 23:01:57 GMT

I've been fortunate enough to fish Bradford rods for nearly 20 years. The first "bespoke" rod I ever ordered was a 3 weight from Colonel John Bradford. 1989 or 1990 I guess it was. He fitted it with a Hardy Fly Weight reel and it makes the Leonard Baby Catskill look like a steel I-beam. It is perhaps the most beautiful Brookie rod ever made.

A few years ago I took my #2 son trout fishing and as it was a nyphing situation, I handed him my rigged Bradford Stealth as I...

Re: Update on John A. Bradford

feeds@yuku.com (pmag) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 07:08:08 GMT

John is a wonderful man.

Re: Update on John A. Bradford

feeds@yuku.com (ibookje) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:41:22 GMT

Ouch...

Great service from the maker.

Re: Update on John A. Bradford

feeds@yuku.com (Schuhu) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:10:53 GMT

Re: Update on John A. Bradford

feeds@yuku.com (Schuhu) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:34:01 GMT

Re: Update on John A. Bradford

feeds@yuku.com (dr knuemann) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:39:10 GMT

I already wrote here (02/25/2009) about the continental' ( 3/2 for a 5 line in 2.29m = 7'6'') rod ( SN 1810 ) I got from John Bradford at the beginning of this fishing season.It is the first one he ever made and inscribed with m and gr for length and weigh.It is custom made with the signature wraps every 5 cm instead of 2 inches, adding 2 extra wraps up to ferrule of the butt.I lawn cast it when I got and was very happy I got this outstanding rod.John told me he wanted to...

Re: Update on John A. Bradford

feeds@yuku.com (Schuhu) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:10:57 GMT

I am very happy, that a forum member traded with me this beautiful rod made by John Bradford. Till now I "only" had the possibility to lawncast this rod with a Sage Quiet Taper WF5F - and I fell in love with it. I can´t await catching my first trout with this great rod, which makes casting lines from 3 to more than 60 feet easy.

Re: Update on John A. Bradford

feeds@yuku.com (freestoner) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 16:15:57 GMT

Those are nice. Spare and elegant.

Re: Update on John A. Bradford

feeds@yuku.com (pcg) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 20:41:35 GMT

Knockout rod. Very beautiful, doctor.

Re: Update on John A. Bradford

feeds@yuku.com (dr knuemann) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 03:57:39 GMT

The reel is made entirely entirely of titan by the Dutch rod-und reelmaker Leen Huisman ( L.H.design ).They are sold in the USA by Just Reels.The reel is about 20 years old, the engraved fly was added about 2 years ago.
Yes,John told me my rods were made of pre-embargo cane.

Re: Update on John A. Bradford

feeds@yuku.com (Armchair Angler) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 23:45:05 GMT

Beautiful rods! Do you know if Mr. Bradford is still using pre-embargo cane?

Re: Update on John A. Bradford

feeds@yuku.com (jlk) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:58:29 GMT

Beautiful rods. What is the reel in the second photo?

Re: Update on John A. Bradford

feeds@yuku.com (Schuhu) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:29:13 GMT

Some pictures of Dr. Knümann´s rods - I will also soon get a rod made by Mr.
Bradford - a 7ft #4 and will then also post some pictures.

Re: Update on John A. Bradford

feeds@yuku.com (dr knuemann) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:09:35 GMT

Today I received the announced ' continental ' rod from John Bradford.It is a ' custom built ' (inscribed by John this way ) flawless rod with 6 instead the usual 4 signature wraps starting with 20 cm up to 45 cm for measuring trout or other fishes.It is a wonderful 3/2 rod in 2.29 m length for # 5. I already snow cast it.The rod is very light in hand and nearly casts by itself.No power needed and no shock waves at all.Like his other rods I am certain it will be a great ,...

Re: Update on John A. Bradford

feeds@yuku.com (nccavalier) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 08:54:23 GMT

John is one nice guy to just chat with. Having never met him in person, I found out about him through a forum member(paxlev) and gave him a call two years ago, and have been in contact with him every few months on the phone. I try to give him unbiased recomendations with his health, and he talks fishing rods with me. I was fortunate to get a rod from him real early. One of his customers developped health problems and couldn't take delivery of a rod, and he not only let me purchase...

Re: Update on John A. Bradford

feeds@yuku.com (dr knuemann) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:48:11 GMT

The last days I exchanged some mails with John.He told me that he intended to give my new 3/2 7'6'' for #5 rod the last varnish last Tuesday and will send it to me to Germany when dry.It is the first ' continental' version of a rod he made.I asked John to make the signature wraps starting with 20 cm - instead of 8''- every 5 cm up to 45 cm ( sorry no more room for 50 cm ) and write the measurements in cm beside the wraps.He agreed to do so and proposed later to...

Update on John A. Bradford

feeds@yuku.com (SecondHandWolf) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:15:26 GMT

I had the pleasure of talking with John Bradford by phone yesterday. His health has improved enough that he is continuing to make rods. He will not be taking any new orders for the next year, in order to clear out his backlog. Then he will again accept new orders and hopes to keep a wait time of roughly six months. This of course will be dependent on his continuing health and how many orders he receives, I would think. In order maintain a shorter wait time, he will continue to adhere to...