Thomas & Thomas Announce DNA Series of Two Handed Rods in Three Distinct Actions
Greenfield, MA – September 24th, 2012. USA fly rod maker, Thomas & Thomas is pleased to announce the launch of its DNA series of two handed fly rods.
The DNA series is comprised of nine different rod models and offers rods in three
distinct actions to allow anglers to select rods that are optimized for their preferred line
designs, casting styles and terminal tackle.
Thomas & Thomas has always taken the view that a well designed, two handed rod
should be capable of handling all types of lines and casting styles. This view has not
changed and every rod in the DNA collection will perform well with shooting heads or
longer belly lines in floating, intermediate, sink tip or full sinking varieties.
However, the rapid progression of fly line design in recent years offered the Thomas &
Thomas design team the opportunity to ‘optimize’ actions and ‘dial-in’ a DNA series that
raises the bar for two handed casting tools.
The DNA series will be available at fly shops and online at www.thomasandthomas.com
from October 1, 2012.
The DNA Action:
Available in 1307-4, 1368-4, 1409-5, 1510-5 with prices starting at $980. This is a
classic, progressive design, inspired by T&T’s original DH series. The highly regarded
DH1307-3 and DH1409-5 rods were used as the benchmark for the development of
these new DNA blanks. By taking advantage of recent developments in materials, Tom
Dorsey has achieved the same smooth actions in a significantly lighter, slimmer blank
and multi-piece configurations that perform like three-piece rods.
Thomas & Thomas recommend the DNA action for anglers seeking two handed rods that
will do it all – skagit, scandi, spey, and overhead - with ease. The DNA is the perfect ‘all
rounder’ and the best choice for experienced casters fishing mid belly length lines and
longer.
DNA rods feature a natural clear blank, black wraps with deep red edging, titanium
stripping guides, smoked Snake Brand guides and a newly designed, lightweight clear
anodized reel seat with black spacer.
The DNA-XF Action:
Available in 1176/7-4, 1267-4, 1298-4, 1339-4 with prices starting at $960. This ‘extra
fast’ design flexes more in the upper and less in to the butt sections. It produces a crisp,
sharp feel that is perfect for throwing tight loops off the tip with a short casting stroke.
T&T especially like this action for throwing floating and intermediate ‘scandi’ heads for
salmon and steelhead and for overhead casting for stripers in the surf.
Thomas & Thomas recommend the DNA-XF action for anglers who predominantly fish
near the surface and enjoy Scandinavian underhand ‘touch and go’ styles of casting. It is
also the recommended action for long distance overhead casting.
DNA-XF rods feature a natural clear blank, black wraps with sky blue edging, titanium
stripping guides, smoked Snake Brand guides and a newly designed, light weight, all
clear, anodized reel seat.
The DNA-XD Action:
Available initially as a 1208-4 priced at $980. The ‘extra deep’ action is designed to be
stiffer in the tip and fuller flexing deep in to the handle of the rod. It’s optimized for
sweeping heavy terminal tackle from the water and launching short heavy heads with
authority. This rod has been thoroughly tested with the popular skagit lines of the
moment and the results have been more than solid. Expect to see T&T develop more
rods in this action in the future.
Thomas & Thomas recommend the DNA-XD action for anglers who predominantly fish
deep and utilize ‘sustained anchor’ styles of casting with Skagit heads.
DNA-XD rods feature a natural clear blank, black wraps with grey edging, titanium
stripping guides, smoked Snake Brand guides and a newly designed, light weight black
anodized reel seat.
Commenting on the Thomas & Thomas DNA series Mark Richens said, “Thomas &
Thomas has such a rich heritage in the field of two handed rods and its been enthralling
to see what our team can do with the latest generation materials. The results, eighteen
months in the making, are truly impressive – the DNA actions have been refined over
and over again to achieve all the performance characteristics desired by modern
speycasters.
Given the amount of work involved in developing this series we’ve gone ‘all-in’ on the
finish and components – a beautiful anodized reel seat, titanium strippers, ‘made in USA’
snake brand guides and a great new cork grip design.
The DNA series is the fruition of a more collaborative approach from T&T – we have
listened to invaluable input from Europe, the Pacific North West, the Great Lakes,
Maritime Canada and the North East speycasting community. Tom’s working relationship
with our lead advisory staff member, Jonathan Huff, is playing out extremely well. Jon
is, in my opinion, the most talented caster of his generation and he provides us with a
unique insight in to how our designs compare with the competition. He pushes us - not
just to match the performance of the ‘best of the rest’, but to exceed it. Thanks to the
input of a multitude of talented anglers we’ve developed a new, two handed offering
that will be the talk of serious salmon, steelhead and striper anglers in 2013.”
About Thomas & Thomas:
Born in 1969, of an obsession to create the world’s finest fly rods, Thomas & Thomas
strives to set the standard for craftsmanship, performance and aesthetics in rodmaking.
From a small shop in rural New England, Thomas & Thomas builds timeless classics from
bamboo and fiberglass and modern masterpieces incorporating the latest graphite
technologies.
For more information please visit www.thomasandthomas.com or contact Trevor Bross
on +1 413 475 3840 or [email protected].
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