Tom Moran Spring Run 7′ #4-weight 2-piece, 2-top fly rod.

The 7’ #4-weight 2-piece Spring Run is the quintessential Moran fly rod. This model is, in my opinion, based on thirty nine years in the trade, one of he most important split cane rods of all time.

This series of Moran rods was named after the Letort Spring Run in Pennsylvania’s Cumberland County. They are exceptionally fine and rare. The late Robin Armstrong wrote about his seven foot Spring Run in 1991, on the eve of Tom’s departure from England to work for Thomas & Thomas in the US. Armstrong’s rod was this one’s sister –the same model, № 844/24 completed in 1991.

In his November 1991 article for Salmon, Trout & Sea Trout magazine, Split Cane For Sable, Robin Armstrong tells of a swap with Tom Moran- a painting of a Moran rod in return for a Moran rod. The rod Tom made for Armstrong – № 844/24- illustrates the article.

The rod available here was made for the late Malcolm Bland, who was also the owner of the 8’ #5 Spring Run I sold last year. Shortly after completion of this 7’ #4, Malcolm Bland sold it to Robin Armstrong. I believe Bland had more use for an 8’ #5 and Armstrong, who lived in Devonshire, preferred shorter rods. It moved on swiftly into the hands of the gentleman I am selling it for. I understand that Robin Armstrong had been commissioned, in the early 1990s, to gather up every Moran rod he could find for re-sale. Their value had increased mightily since Tom’s departure for America.

This rod has not been used and remains in perfect original condition. I can see no evidence that the rod has been fished. There is no silvering on the inner edges of the bronzed guides and the varnish on the loops of the tip rings (evidence of Tom’s dip-varnishing) hasn’t worn off. The cork handle is still clean and unmarked.

As the accompanying pictures clearly illustrate, this is a rod of outstanding beauty and quality. The period during which this rod was made -the late eighties to early nineties- was the high point in Tom Moran’s rod making career. He’d organised his own supply of ferrule tubing, his own make of snake guides and his unique reel seat.

Take a look at the reel seat on this rod and you’ll understand the level of ingenuity and craftsmanship involved. The reel seat has a cork spacer, into which are inlaid two strips of Tonkin bamboo. These prevent the reel band from compressing the cork. The nickel silver butt cap has T. Moran, Maker stamped onto the reel foot side within a cartouche and Spring Run stamped on the upper side.

The handle’s grip check and shoulder collar are highly figured rosewood.

The Flor grade cork handle has a classic cigar shape.

The split cane blank is flawless Tonkin bamboo, oven tempered to preserve the natural straw colour  of the power fibres. The nodes are very small and straight and arranged using the Garrison system so that no node is adjacent to another. The tips are perfectly matched and the butt has a very nice, elegant swell leading into the handle. The rod is straight throughout.

The ferrules, Tom’s own Super-Z pattern, are a perfect fit. As with the nickel silver reel seat components, they are in their natural state. The female ferrule has its rosewood and cork stopper.

The guides and hook keeper are Tom’s own make, perfectly formed and bronzed. The tip rings are Perfection Tip Co and the butt ring is a Mildrum SRMC size 8. The silk whippings are transparent Pearsall’s Gossamer silk with scarlet tippings.

The number 1 tip has a green tipping to the tip ring whipping and a single dot after the 844/21 inscription. The number 2 tip has two dots after the inscription.

The № 844/21 India ink inscription indicates that this was the 2nd rod of this model. The varnish finish is superb.

The rod comes in its tailor made bag with tip protector and an aluminium lined leather case bearing the Tom Moran Rod Company embossed leather label.

There probably isn’t a more useful format for a split cane brook rod than a seven foot four weight and this Moran Spring Run is absolutely superb -smooth casting, light and alive in the hand.

A bicycle made by Ernesto Colnago might not make you a faster cyclist but a Tom Moran Spring Run fly rod will make you a happier angler.