This is a rare opportunity to own a rod built to 1860s specifications that offers the pleasure and performance of casting a modern fly rod.

After the successful launch of AMFF's commemorative tackle series that featured a circa 1850s Morgan James fly reel, built by J.M. Becker Rod Works, curator Jim Schottenham realized the follow-up piece needed to match the historical importance of that early side-mounted reel. For the 2026 installment of the program, he’s selected to commemorate a rod built by the “Father of American Angling”, Thaddeus Norris.

Once described by Arnold Gingrich as “the American Walton,” Thaddeus Norris (1811-1877) is considered one of the founding fathers of American fly fishing. While Norris was familiar with and clearly respected the traditions and techniques of his English forebears, he was not afraid to bend, break, or alter the dictates of conventional wisdom in his search for the most effective ways to fish on this side of the Atlantic. He advocated using a lighter, one-handed rod over the stout two-handers commonly used in the British Isles, was one of the first to design flies and tackle specifically for American waters, questioned the need for strict imitation, and even argued for returning caught fish to the stream decades before the phrase “catch and release” even entered the vocabulary. In addition, Norris was one of America’s earliest rod makers, contributing to the development of the split-bamboo rod.

The museum worked with master rod maker Jeffrey Hatton to produce a limited number of commemorative Norris rods, using many of the methods and tapers Norris described in his 1864 work, titled The American Angler's Book.

Mr. Hatton has had the distinction of handling the majority of known original Norris rods and understands the significance of this project. Tasked with creating a rod that honors the traditions of 1860s rod building while offering the castability of a modern fly rod, he has produced a design that we feel captures the best of both worlds.

Production is extremely limited, with just eight rods being made. One will become part of the museum’s permanent collection, others will be offered through our 2026 Limited Life Membership packages, and one will be available through this museum raffle.

AMFF Commemorative Thaddeus Norris Rod Online Raffle

Winning ticket will be drawn on December 1, 2026