16 October 2024
Derek Smith is living the dream of many avid fly fishermen – turning his lifelong passion into a full-time craft. Nestled in the heart of South Africa’s largest city, Johannesburg, Derek may be far from the coastline, but he’s surrounded by rivers and stillwater lakes that make up some of the country’s most unique fishing environments. From the iconic Vaal and Orange Rivers, teeming with indigenous yellowfish, to the cold, deep trout dams, Derek fishes them all with rods he’s meticulously built by hand.
A Rod Builder’s Journey
Derek’s rod-building journey began 30 years ago when he first tried his hand at crafting a fly rod. “I was hooked on fly fishing, and when I found an Orvis rod-building kit, I decided to give it a go,” Derek recalls. What started as a hobby quickly blossomed into a thriving enterprise. Over the years, Derek has built between 1500 and 2000 Sage rods, and in recent years has enjoyed building on CTS blanks.
He was introduced to CTS by a friend who brought a rod built in the U.S. to South Africa. He was super impressed with the rod’s action. Now, Derek builds roughly 2-3 rods a week, his workshop divided between the outdoors workshop where he turns his cork grips, and the indoors, where he assembles and varnishes each rod.
The Craft of Cork and Varnish
For Derek, the art of rod building is rooted in precision, innovation, and a commitment to using only the highest quality materials. His cork grips are turned from the finest Portuguese cork, with Derek hand-crafting each grip from start to finish in just minutes. “I can turn any cork grip in 3-4 minutes, using quarter-inch rings rather than the more common half-inch, which gives a more refined finish,” he shares.
But it’s not just cork that sets Derek apart. His unique varnishing technique – combining flame treatment for the first coat and using a vacuum chamber for the second – ensures a flawless finish with zero air bubbles. It’s a method he’s perfected over time, giving his rods an exceptional, professional look.
Quality Above All
Derek’s rods are characterised by a clean, understated style. His favourite CTS models, the Affinity X and M, offer the perfect blend of performance and aesthetic. He’s particularly fond of unsanded blanks, and colours like Aqua, Cobalt, and Dark Urban Green are among his most popular paint requests.
South Africa’s rod-building market may still be niche, with most anglers favouring big U.S. brands, but Derek finds that once someone casts a CTS rod, they’re converted. “It’s not hard to convince someone of the quality once they’ve had one in their hands,” Derek says.
A Love for Crafting Wooden Nets
While rod building is Derek’s main passion, he also makes time for a side hobby: crafting beautiful wooden frame nets. “The rod building doesn’t leave much time for making nets, so it’s something I do more as a hobby,” says Derek. Each year, he builds about 24 nets, mostly for friends. The process of making these nets is a multi-step labour of love. From cutting and steaming the laminate strips to bending them around a form and gluing and finishing them, Derek finds great satisfaction in creating these functional works of art.
Sharing the Craft
While Derek’s business has grown largely through word of mouth and social media, his passion for rod building extends beyond just selling rods. He frequently donates custom rods to charities, such as the Red Cross Children’s Home, where one of his rods raised ZAR 40,000 in auction – double its usual price.
Derek also enjoys sharing his expertise with others, whether through casting demos, weekend workshops, or even one-on-one rod-building sessions. “I’ve had people come to me to build rods together. It’s always great to see how chuffed they are with their rods at the end of the process,” he says.
What’s Next?
With 30 years of experience and an unwavering passion for rod building, Derek shows no signs of slowing down. He continues to innovate, exploring new techniques and materials to ensure his rods remain at the pinnacle of quality.
Looking ahead, Derek is already preparing for the annual fly fishing craft show in Cape Town in early 2025, where he will once again donate a custom-built rod for charity. He’s also planning a fly fishing trip to New Zealand next year, no doubt with some of his finest creations in tow.
For those lucky enough to own a Derek Smith custom rod, it’s more than just a tool for fishing – it’s a piece of craftsmanship built with dedication, precision, and an enduring love for the art of fly rod building.
