The Pacific Northwest Sportsmen’s Show was this past week and it was very well attended. As my wife and I strolled along checking out the hundreds of vendors we came upon a very pleasant experience. Joel Stephens and Richard Templeton of JS Rods and Moriston Rods out of Medford, Oregon were offering up a show special on a Switch spey rod, reel and lines that could not be passed up. The rod, called their Convert, is a beautifully crafted 11′ 6″ gem available in either a 5 wt. or 7 wt. married to a dandy little Tyne Trinity reel. Of course, being a pushover for a moss green rod color, I was smitten upon first sight. 

Joel Stephens & Richard Templeton (Pacific Northwest Sportsmen's Show, Portland, OR 2015)
Joel Stephens & Richard Templeton (Pacific Northwest Sportsmen’s Show, Portland, OR 2015)

The Stephens & Templeton story is classic for NW fly fishing entrepreneurs: bright young men (and women) deviating away from early career paths, but still keeping that vitality and vision while venturing into the development of spey rods, reels and other projects for the future. Given the talent gene pool in the Pacific NW for such fly fishing creativity, Stephens and Templeton will fit right in. 

JS Rod Convert Switch-Oregon-SwittersB-spey

Here is an informative link to JS Rods blog. Both Joel and Richard were well presented and informative even after four long days of trade show. Check out their site and note the amazing offers. I am eager to get down to the river once the levels drop and try out my Convert Switch rod and Tyne Trinity Reel.

spey reel, Tyne Trinity, SwittersB
Tyne Trinity Reel (Moriston Rods/JS Rods)