You’ll note there is no order form on this web page. That’s because you can’t just click on a box and expect to get a custom designed rod that you’ll enjoy for decades.

 

To order a rod, you’ll have to talk to the rod designer. And that would be Ty Tingley.

​

To reach Ty at his rod studio, email tingleycustomrods.com. The studio is in Tucson, which is on Mountain Standard Time. In the summer you’ll reach Ty in Maine. If he’s not available, he is probably fishing. Leave a message, and he’ll get back to you.

​

Ty will ask you about the kind of fishing you do and get pretty detailed about the sort of presentations you like to make. No rod can do everything, so it’s important to explore the trade-offs between variables such as casting power, sensitivity, and strength. He’ll be thinking about the ergonomics of the grip and what sort of handle best fits your hand and your style of fishing. At the end of the conversation, he’ll have a good idea of what rod will fit your needs and will give you a price and timetable for the project.

 

Ty asks for a 50% down payment before he begins your rod. 

 

Ty builds rods from October to May, a schedule which works for most fishermen in North America who don’t have year-round access to open water. It can take several weeks  to build a rod so if you need a rod for a special vacation, a holiday, or a birthday, plan on at least two months lead time.