E.W. Edwards...Sheer Perfection

E.W. Edwards was a famous and innovative bamboo rod maker who resided in Connecticut during his adult life until his death. It was in Connecticut that Edwards became famous and influenced other historic figures in bamboo rod building, such as C. W. "Sam" Carlson, and Harold "Pinky" Gillum. Many details of Edwards’ unique history and innovation would likely have been forgotten had it not been for Patrick C. Garner’s wonderful book, Playing With Fire The Life and Fly Rods of EW Edwards.

On a recent trip to New Haven, I stopped by a number of spots in Hamden, steeped in the Edwards' Family rod making history–three different shop locations and a very special house. It is doubtful many locals are even aware of this history, but it was foundational and set the stage for the trajectory of future rod building, everywhere. Here are a series of photos of Edwards' home on Filbert St.. This rear one-car garage may have been the location where Edwards' perfection was realized. 

As noted in George Black's fabulous book, Casting A Spell, "At every stage he’d bucked the machine, balking at compromises, corporate pressures, and identity theft, turning his back on economic security for the independent pursuit of perfection. I think ultimately it was this, beyond the sheer beauty of his work, that made Eustis such a compelling figure to me." Black, p. 93. With Edwards' uncompromising standard of perfection, he left Winchester and would go on at the age of 67 to make 50 rods at this Filbert St. home that were thought to be his best, which he called the Perfection. Black, p. 93.