Ralph Moon passed away at the age of 85, with 78 years of fly fishing experience and 39 years experience building cane fly rods.  A self taught rod builder, he went on to be a great steward of the craft, and taught well over 100 students and current rod makers the craft.  Having worked for the FFF as both the Director and Curator of the FFF Fly Fishing Center, he was memorialized by the FFF creating the Ralph Moon Fund to fund future education.

When we heard that a collector was paring down his collection of fly rods, we offered to highlight those made by Ralph due to his connection to our part of Idaho, the rod making craft, and the FFF.  Fall River Flyrods is not selling, nor do we have an interest in the sale of these fly rods, but will be happy to put you in contact with the seller.

Ralph's building style was, in his own words:  "blonde, simple, but danged good fishing poles".  Typical of his fly rods, the varnish is very thin, finished wraps appear to be over coated in rod building epoxy, rod bags made by his wife Pat, utilitarian PVC constructed rod tubes, and the tips are not always the straitest (though the blank construction is outstanding).

All 4 fly rods have been cast, but never fished.  We saw no apparent casting checks on any of the fly rods.  All are in excellent, original condition.

#152

This fly rod is labeled with only the serial number and it's length:  7', and I am told that it casts a 6wt line quite nicely.  This fly rod is one of Ralph's famed "Spirals" that many of us had heard about, but never seen.  Black wraps with a gold metalic inlay, aluminum reel seat hardware, wells grip, rod bag and PVC rod tube.  Purchased new in the 1990's directly from Ralph.  Tip could stand to be straitened.  Spiral built 2 piece, 1 tip.  Asking price:  $800.00

 7'6", 1994

Labeled only with it's length and build year, this fly rod does a nice job of throwing a 5wt line.  Red wraps, wells grip, aluminum reel seat hardware over what looks to be a maple insert.  PVC rod tube and rod sock by Pat.  The ferrule fit is too tight to fully assemble and could use some minor fitting.  The tip could stand to be straitened from the 3rd guide through to the tip top.  2 piece, 1 tip.  Asking price:  $800.00

Firehole

The Firehole is a wonderful little 6', 3-4wt fly rod finished with red wraps, a rubber winding check, aluminum reel seat hardware, a cloth bag by Pat, and a green anodized aluminum rod tube.  Purchased new from Ralph in the mid 1990's.  2 piece, 1 tip.  Asking price:  $900.00

Idaho Centennial 1990

A 6', 3wt fly rod built by Ralph to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of Idaho becoming a State.  I am told that Ralph was the FFF Director at this time and he donated the fly rod to be used as a fundraiser.  The current owner won the fly rod in the fundraiser, and it started his long term collection of Ralph Moon fly rods.  This beautiful  fly rod is wrapped in teal blue and red, a bark handle, hardwood reel seat with a knurled aluminum slide band and agatine stripping guide.  This fly rod would be considered quite ornate for Ralph.  The tip could stand to be straitened, and the ferrule connection is too tight for full assembly (minor fitting would correct this condition).  Rod bag by Pat, and a fabric covered PVC rod tube.  2 piece, 1 tip.  Asking price:  $1200.00.

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