Edmund Everett Garrison

Edmund Everett Garrison was born in Yonkers, New York, in 1893.  He had a long rodmaking career, beginning in the early 1930s and continuing until his death in 1975.  Garrison was responsible for launching the most disciplined, methodical approach to rodmaking in the history of split bamboo. His background and education in engineering led to a uniquely scientific approach in the development of his now famous rod tapers. He also developed his own tools, precision planing forms, binder and other equipment. His process and method for building rods provided both absolute control and predictable results. Garrison built almost every part of each rod himself, including fittings, reel seats, rod cases, and even the poplin bags to hold finished rods safe in the case. His legacy is captured in Hoagy B. Carmichael’s monumental work, “A Master’s Guide to Building A Bamboo Fly Rod” a work that documents Garrison’s fastidious approach to the craft of rodmaking. It was Garrison’s great love for rodmaking and his willingness to share his hard-won knowledge that encourages many hundreds of amateur craftsmen to follow in his footsteps.