Mike Clark Gierach, Best Special Taper — 8'6" #5
A superb Mike Clark bamboo fly rod, measuring 8'6", three-piece with two tips, and built for a #5 line. This is one of Clark's signature “Gierach, Best Special Taper” models, serial #20141.
The rod has a medium-slow action and is presented in fine condition. The cane is lightly flamed, with beautifully small, tight spiral nodes achieved through pressing. Green wraps with red tipping complement the cane, while a striking red agate stripping guide and snake guides complete the guide set. The varnish remains intact throughout.
The ferrules are oxidized Super Z-style ferrules. The 6½" grip is built from ¼" cork rings and shaped to a generous Full Wells profile. The reel seat features a beautifully varnished, mortised walnut spacer, paired with a nickel-silver down-locking screw-lock seat. The nut, slide and cap all carry ornate engraving, giving the fittings an unusually refined character.
The rod comes with its blue Moleskine rod bag and a black-painted aluminum tube with brass hardware, retaining the original South Creek data sticker.
The Gierach, Best Special Taper
The Special Taper was developed by Mike Clark in collaboration with two influential figures in American fly fishing: outdoor writer John Gierach and writer and fly tier A.K. Best.
Mike Clark describes the 8'6" #5 as follows:
“The Special Taper rods were originally designed in conjunction with outdoor writer John Gierach and writer/fly tier A.K. Best. The 8'6", 2 tip, 5 weight has a quick, tippy action that handles distance casting well and still cushions long, light tippets. This is a good all-around rod that will handle anything from small dry flies and nymphs to medium sized streamers.”
Clark goes on to explain that Gierach and Best fished these rods extensively before the taper became a standard South Creek model, and that the rods are inked “Gierach, Best Special Taper” on the blank.
It is a taper with a particularly interesting pedigree: conceived by a master rodmaker and refined through the fishing of two writers whose influence helped shape modern American fly-fishing culture.
Mike Clark — Rodmaker
Mike Clark is one of the most respected contemporary American bamboo rodmakers. Working from Colorado, Clark has devoted decades to the traditional craft of split-cane rodmaking while developing tapers and construction methods distinctly his own.
His rods are known for exceptionally careful cane preparation, precise node work, clean construction and an understated elegance that places the emphasis firmly on the bamboo and the action. Clark has also maintained a strong connection with the traditions of American rodmaking, while producing rods intended first and foremost to be fished.
His collaboration with John Gierach and A.K. Best is among the best-known examples of this approach. Rather than simply producing a commemorative model, Clark developed a genuine fishing taper that the two anglers used extensively before it became part of his regular catalogue.
South Creek's order book has long been measured in years rather than months. Consequently, original Mike Clark rods rarely appear on the market, making a fine, complete example such as this an especially attractive opportunity for the collector who also intends to fish it.
A truly artisanal American bamboo rod, combining an important contemporary maker, an influential taper and outstanding craftsmanship.
Mike Clark Gierach, Best Special Taper — 8'6" #5
A superb Mike Clark bamboo fly rod, measuring 8'6", three-piece with two tips, and built for a #5 line. This is one of Clark's signature “Gierach, Best Special Taper” models, serial #20141.
The rod has a medium-slow action and is presented in fine condition. The cane is lightly flamed, with beautifully small, tight spiral nodes achieved through pressing. Green wraps with red tipping complement the cane, while a striking red agate stripping guide and snake guides complete the guide set. The varnish remains intact throughout.
The ferrules are oxidized Super Z-style ferrules. The 6½" grip is built from ¼" cork rings and shaped to a generous Full Wells profile. The reel seat features a beautifully varnished, mortised walnut spacer, paired with a nickel-silver down-locking screw-lock seat. The nut, slide and cap all carry ornate engraving, giving the fittings an unusually refined character.
The rod comes with its blue Moleskine rod bag and a black-painted aluminum tube with brass hardware, retaining the original South Creek data sticker.
The Gierach, Best Special Taper
The Special Taper was developed by Mike Clark in collaboration with two influential figures in American fly fishing: outdoor writer John Gierach and writer and fly tier A.K. Best.
Mike Clark describes the 8'6" #5 as follows:
“The Special Taper rods were originally designed in conjunction with outdoor writer John Gierach and writer/fly tier A.K. Best. The 8'6", 2 tip, 5 weight has a quick, tippy action that handles distance casting well and still cushions long, light tippets. This is a good all-around rod that will handle anything from small dry flies and nymphs to medium sized streamers.”
Clark goes on to explain that Gierach and Best fished these rods extensively before the taper became a standard South Creek model, and that the rods are inked “Gierach, Best Special Taper” on the blank.
It is a taper with a particularly interesting pedigree: conceived by a master rodmaker and refined through the fishing of two writers whose influence helped shape modern American fly-fishing culture.
Mike Clark — Rodmaker
Mike Clark is one of the most respected contemporary American bamboo rodmakers. Working from Colorado, Clark has devoted decades to the traditional craft of split-cane rodmaking while developing tapers and construction methods distinctly his own.
His rods are known for exceptionally careful cane preparation, precise node work, clean construction and an understated elegance that places the emphasis firmly on the bamboo and the action. Clark has also maintained a strong connection with the traditions of American rodmaking, while producing rods intended first and foremost to be fished.
His collaboration with John Gierach and A.K. Best is among the best-known examples of this approach. Rather than simply producing a commemorative model, Clark developed a genuine fishing taper that the two anglers used extensively before it became part of his regular catalogue.
South Creek's order book has long been measured in years rather than months. Consequently, original Mike Clark rods rarely appear on the market, making a fine, complete example such as this an especially attractive opportunity for the collector who also intends to fish it.
A truly artisanal American bamboo rod, combining an important contemporary maker, an influential taper and outstanding craftsmanship.
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