The Fiberglass Manifesto: FINE TACKLE

 Christian wrote…  “Lars-Åke Olsson is a legend in Swedish fly fishing. He is an author, guide, river keeper, and runs Idsjöströmmen in Gimdalen, Sweden. He was captivated by fly fishing early on and even visited the legendary Frank Sawyer in England in his youth. For 30 years, he split his time between Sweden and Montana, but has now moved back home to Gimdalen. Lars-Åke has always been obsessed with American bamboo rods, but in recent years he has developed an interest in fiberglass. I’ve fished for grayling with Lars-Åke at Idsjöströmmen for many years, and our shared passion for fly rods has made us good friends. The last time I was there, I tried his Per Brandin rod in the stream—what an experience…

Last year, he asked me to build a couple of rods for his river shop. They quickly sold to international customers, and this year I’ve built a few more. Together, we agreed on the design, action, and length. We share a vision of how a rod should feel and perform: crisp, with a progressive action and solid backbone. Great attention to detail, handle, and reel seat. These rods are available for demo in his shop, and interested customers can contact me to place an order.

If you’re ever in the area, I highly recommend a visit to Idsjöströmmen—one of Sweden’s finest spots for large and spirited grayling. Lars-Åke will guide you with his deep experience and warm personality.”