Re: Kiley Rods

feeds@yuku.com (thegubster) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:24:48 GMT

wctc1 wrote:

Yes, Steve Kiley produces cane rods among the best made.

Since I have the pleasure of living about 2 miles from him, I've spent 100's of hours in his shop over many years.

It is hard to keep things in perspective when Steve askes me, "Is it OK?" or "What do you think of this?" about something that is probably as good as it's going to get in many rod...

Re: Kiley Rods

feeds@yuku.com (wctc1) — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:53:29 GMT

Yes, Steve Kiley produces cane rods among the best made.

Since I have the pleasure of living about 2 miles from him, I've spent 100's of hours in his shop over many years.

It is hard to keep things in perspective when Steve askes me, "Is it OK?" or "What do you think of this?" about something that is probably as good as it's going to get in many rod shops; that it is as good as it's going to get. What can I say?

I recently...

Re: Kiley Rods

feeds@yuku.com (tbc1415) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:41:29 GMT

I have one of Steve's Northstar rods. 8ft 5wt.
It is a particularly cohesive and capable taper. I have cast a variety of his rods and they are all like that.
Steve puts a lot of thought and development into his rods before offering them for sale and it really shows when you put a line on them.
The styling, fit and finish are also top notch.

TC

Re: Kiley Rods

feeds@yuku.com (adam trahan) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 09:08:53 GMT

Hey guys, here is the blackball I was talking about...

Anyway.

Kiley plays YuGiOh, personally I like

Re: Kiley Rods

feeds@yuku.com (Bamboo Adict) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:07:19 GMT

Dan,
It has been awile, miss you out here. I know that little rod is having fun with you back there (although I bet you are not having 70 deg. days fishing right now.) The big gun of Steve took 3 steelhead yesterday on the upper run that I love. Will be out again today. Thanks again Steve, but Jerry's rod whined under the rowing seat yesterday so I will have to break it out this morning for some swinging at the welfair hole, and again at pump.
David

Re: Kiley Rods

feeds@yuku.com (Salvelinus fontinalis) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 10:09:56 GMT

As I was (sadly) leaving our southern Oregon home, I wanted a keepsake of sorts to take east with me. I chose a Steve Kiley 6'6" with a lovely handle made of big leaf maple. It is a crisp rod that is perfect for the little streams I enjoy fishing. The highly figured handle reminds me of big, yellow leaves hanging from huge, streamside maples in a hazy, autumn, northwest sunshine. Although I am (obviously) a hopeless romantic, this rod puts a little ausable wulff spot on and is pure...

Re: Kiley Rods

feeds@yuku.com (Bamboo Adict) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 09:15:02 GMT

This big bear of a builder is known to his friends as "Trapper" from a former life, is an outstanding builder. I have his 8' 6" Gilluim taper that he has tweeked for steelhead fishing (it will be in the boat today when I go out). Steve is a craftsman and is always looking for improvements to his work.I have casted a lot of his rods both at the casting pond at Camp Sherman, and on the river. I have 3 friends that have a number of his rods, and a few clients that use them for...

Re: Kiley Rods

feeds@yuku.com (bob4st) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 21:19:18 GMT

...I've picked up a couple of Kiley's rods (8'/#5, 7'-6" /#4)over the years... he does excellent work... I highly recommend them... great rods for a great price... I use them on the spring creeks of central PA frequently...

Re: Kiley Rods

feeds@yuku.com (FF beginner) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 17:14:10 GMT

I snagged a 7' 6" 5wt. 2/1 a couple of years ago from Jim Bresko. As I remember it's built on a Leonard 37 taper that Steve tweaked a bit. Steve had built it for himself and used it a bit. Sweet rod with a beautiful finish.

Re: Kiley Rods

feeds@yuku.com (teter) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 13:56:42 GMT

I have one of his rods based on a Dickerson taper -- it's a 6'6 3/4 weight, a lovely little rod with a smooth medium-fast action. The workmanship is excellent. I believe he has developed a new line of rods since mine was built. I think he also posts on this board occasionally.

Re: Kiley Rods

feeds@yuku.com (matsoberg) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 07:39:04 GMT

Boo.

I have not fished a Kiley rod. Yet... I will recive an 8 foot 5wt North Star in July at the Metolius show though. I cast that taper last year and it´s a damned fine rod.
I´m picky when it comes to bamboo fly rods (those who know me will hold that against me), but I just wanted one. It was just that good.
If we bump into each other at the show this year, I would be glad to let you try it out. But I guess Steve will have a few in his stand.

// Mats

Re: Kiley Rods

feeds@yuku.com (Boo) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:19:17 GMT

djo,
what other rods are you comparing Kiley's rod to?

I've been to the Metolius rod fair several years ago. But, I do remember Kiley's rods as being the cleanest and most "crisp" looking rods of the fair. Unfortunately, I didn't get to cast one.

Re: Kiley Rods

feeds@yuku.com (wctc1) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:47:19 GMT

... And, that is too bad.

First, let me say that I have worked a high number of hours in Kiley's shop, so I've got a predisposed opinion. On three rods alone, I logged over 80 hours. When he was making blanks for Orvis, I'm proud to say, he let me help.

I've watched Steve progressively grow from a hand plane and steel forms {actually his youthful originals from Illinois were wood} to what I suspect is one of the most modern shops in the craft.
...

Re: Kiley Rods

feeds@yuku.com (djo) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:56:14 GMT

I have one of Kiley's 7.5' 4/5 wt rods. It has become a fishing obsession. I try to take other rods out and this one refuses to stay home. Beautiful workmanship, excellent taper, very reasonable prices.

David

Re: Kiley Rods

feeds@yuku.com (AJ Bamboo) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:41:51 GMT

steve is one of the most underrated current makers IMHO. why his rods don't get more traction i do not know

Kiley Rods

feeds@yuku.com (Boo) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:03:43 GMT

Does anyone fish a Stephen Kiley rod? The rods I've seen of his appeared very clean and crisp looking. But, I don't read much about his rods. Anyone have input? PM if you must. Thanks.