A memory from when I was still a child brought me closer to fly fishing and rodmaking.

In the summer we went fishing, near home (I live in Sieci a few kilometers from Florence) in the Arno, then very rich in chubs. It happened to meet a gentleman, with a thick white beard, who was twirling a fly line in the air: I stopped fishing, I watched him… magic!

At the age of 49 (now I’m “a few” older), due to physical problems, having abandoned all the sports I practiced (windsurfing, skiing, mountain biking, trekking, sailing), I picked up a fishing rod again, this time fly fishing. A great Dutch friend, Albert Van Den Brink, met on holiday in the mountains, gave me the bare essentials for fly fishing. First casts on the hotel lawn, then the lake.

Back home I joined a club of fly fishermen, among which some skilled casters and fishermen. I improved my knowledge and skills. Later I met a friend, a great fisherman and rodmaker; I silently watched the stages of building a rod. Love at first sight.

I have always liked using my hands (in the past I built windsurf boards), I decided to start the adventure, I joined IBRA, I bought the necessary materials and equipment.

I started using some tapers of historic rods and I went fishing with these. Among those made, the Cattanach “Sir D” 7’ #4 struck me, a faster rod and, let me say, more “modern”. After this I started to design my own rods.

They are fast rods, maximum length 7’ and 3”; I also try to take care of the aesthetic aspect, sober rods, but with attention to the finishes. My profession (I am a financial consultant) takes up almost all my time. I make a few rods a year, mainly for personal use and for some friends with whom I test my rods and listen to their sensations.

Daniele Giannoni