Vardanis, Alex – 38ACM

For your consideration is an Alex Vardanis 38ACM bamboo fly rod. This is a 7' 0" three-piece for a 3 or 4-weight line weighing 2.45 oz. The ACM designation for a Leonard rod came about when Arthur Charles Mills requested a 38 that had a stronger butt section. This resulted in a slightly quicker dry fly action. Alex has modified the 2-piece 38 into a 3-piece. With his modifications called it a 3734. I owned a 38ACM (regrettably sold it) and this feels just as I remember it.

This consists of light tempered cane with amber orange wraps tipped with an ivory cream – a very handsome combination. The grip measures 5 inches with cap and ring over a cork spacer. In my hand, the action is medium-fast. Comes in a leather tube.

Alex has had two strokes. He told me to not feel sorry for him, "Memory therapy helped me remember the names of my childhood friends growing up in Greece!" He continued building rods after both strokes. This was his personal rod and was built before his first stroke. A nice rod from this London, Ontario builder.