Nightcrawler secrets rods

Question
Hi Marc,

I read your comment about having built Nightcrawler Secrets rods in this answer:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Fishing-1634/2008/12/Fenwick-Classic-Fly-Rods.htm

In the 1970s, Fishing Facts Magazine also sold them through their (now defunct, as far as I can tell) Northwoods Tackle division, and I once had the chance to visit the showroom on a family trip back to Milwaukee in 1979. I've had one of the Northwoods 5 foot one-piece Nightcrawler Secrets rods since I bought it new when I was in middle school. I really wanted one of the 8 (or was it 9?) foot models, but the 5' was all I could afford and it took me a while to save for it.

All these years later, I still wish I had one of the long ones. I google for it regularly and keep a saved search running on eBay, but no joy so far. Just wondering if you might happen to know where I could find one? I'm not a collector and it doesn't have to be mint - I want to fish with it, not hang it on a wall. It just needs to be in solid usable condition.

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Jonathan,

Yes, Northwoods tackle is now long since past.  The totem pole and building are still there along Hwy 45 but the Magazine is now owned by Midwest Outdoors and the tackle wing has been gone for 25 years.

I think that the only way to find an original is to do just what you are doing and watch e-bay.  The alternative is to have one built in the tradition of the original Nightcrawler Secrets template.  Back then it was one piece 8 to 9 foot Fenwick fly rod blanks built into spinning rods.  The originals were 8 and even 9 weight Fenglass blanks like the F-96-8, F-102-8, F-108-9.  Personally, I liked the lighter blanks like the F-96-6 or -7.  They were much lighter than the 8 and 9 weights and still had plenty of power.

You could watch e-bay for a Fenglas blank as noted and build it (or have it built) into a N.S. rod.  

Or you could have one built from a modern 6-7 weight graphite fly rod blank.  For this type of rod you actually want a lesser grade graphite that has a slower action.  For "old times sake" the old Fenglas is neat, but honestly a rod built today with modern guides and blanks are so much better than the original.  The components are so much lighter.  

"Custom Rod" seems to have an "Expensive" connotation, but this doesn't have to be an expensive rod.  A modestly priced fly rod blank, cork grip, quality reel seat, and something very light like Fuji Alconite guides and you would have a Nightcrawler Secrets rod that would blow one of the old ones from the 1970's out of the water.

Good luck,

Marc