Prairie Drifter Rods

Welcome to Prairie Drifter Rods & Catch and Release fish taxidermy. Mike Briganti is your host and offers custom made fly rods made of bamboo and fiberglass.He is also an award winning taxidermist that specializes in "catch & release" fish mounts. In his studio, located near the banks of the famous Yellowstone river, he can custom craft for you a fly rod to catch the trophy of your dreams and then artisticly recreate a mount for you from your picture and measurments. So look around and enjoy!

Mike Briganti
Master Taxidermist
Rod Maker

 

    I started fly fishing when I was 10 years old. Within a year my father gave me my first bamboo rod, and Orvis 6'6" 4wt called the "Flea" rod. I fished that rod for several seasons, catching many fish on it. This began my love affair with bamboo.It's now over 30 years later and I still love the feel of bamboo,flexing as it transfers it's energy into the line with authority,accuracy and subtlety.I started making bamboo rods when I was in my thirties as a hobby. It wasn't long before people started asking me to make rods for them. I offer two grades of rods for the discriminating angler.I offer a Deluxe line which is built to the customers specs. Length ,line weight and action can be tailored to customers casting style. The rod is finished with the best components. Nickel silver reel seat w/ a fancy wood spacer,nickel silver stripping guide w/ spectacular stone agate,nickel silver ferrules and silk thread wraps in your choice of color.The standard grade is finished on the same blank, however we use less expensive components. Aluminum reel seat, chrome plated ferrules and stripping guide, finished with the nylon thread color of your choice. All rods come with 2 tips and a rod case.Six strip hex and four strip quad configurations availible.

Hex -Standard Grade-$650.00
Hex-Deluxe Grade-$850.00

Quad-Deluxe only $1150.00

 

I am now offering 2-strip quads.These have the same feel and casting ability of traditional 4-strip rod construction. Because we only use 2 strips per section, we can build these rods quicker, saving you money. If you always wanted to try a quad,but didn't want to spend alot on it,this is your chance!

Standard Grade-$400.00(single tip)
Deluxe Grade - $650(two tips) 

In my opinion, fiberglass is the next best material for rod building after bamboo.It gives the "feel" of bamboo without the maintenance or the cost of bamboo.I build my rods on custom E-glass blanks and custom Lamiglas blanks.The E-glass blanks tend to be medium action and are black in color while the Lamiglass tend to be a little slower and are honey colored.Again, I offer two grades of rods.Deluxe grade has nickel silver reel seat with a fancy wood spacer, nickel silver agate lined stripping guide and silk thread wraps finished with multiple coats of  low build varnish.

Standard E-glass-$150.00
Deluxe E-glass-$295.00
5'9'' 3-4wt
6' 3/4wt or 5/6wt
6'3" 3/4wt or 5/6wt
6'6'' 4/5wt or 6/7wt
6'9" 4/5wt
7' 4/5wt
7'3'' 4/5wt
7'6'' 6/7wt
8' 5/6wt
8' 7/8wt

Custom color E-glass rod

Standard Lamiglass-$275.00
Deluxe Lamiglass-$395.00

5'9'' 2wt  (Staggerd ferrule)
6' 4wt
6'3'' 3wt
6'3" 4wt
6'6'' 3wt
6'6'' 4wt
6'9'' 3wt
6'9'' 4wt
7' 3wt
7' 4wt
7'3" 4wt
7'6" 4wt
7'9'' 4wt
7'9'' 5wt
8' 4wt
8' 5wt

Lamiglas Rod

Prices are for 2 piece rods. Multi piece rods are available. Call or email for quote.
Custom airbrush colors are also available on all models.Prices start at $50

 

The "Duet Series"
I have developed a series of rods that have 2 butt section of different lengths. This offers the angler versitility without buying two rods. With each section , the rod becomes two different lenth rods. My first was an 8'3"/7'3" 4/5wt. Prices for this series starts at $250 for the E-glass rod, and $375 on the Lamiglas blank. This series works best in the 2,3 or 4 piece rods.Other lengths and line wieghts availible, please contact us for more information.

 

 

    I have been a full time taxidermist for 25 years.Being a flyfisherman, I was always a big proponent of releasing your catch and getting a replica done instead of killing the fish and doing a skin mount. It has been a long time coming, but now most of my fish work is reproduction taxidermy, allowing the fish to fight another day. I started competing in taxidermy shows back in the 80's. I have won over 500 awards for my work including 12 Best of shows,12 Best Fish in Show, 2 Time National Award of Excellence and more than 35 International,World, Regional and State championships.I am also a Nationally certified competition judge in all phases of taxidermy.
   I can replicate your trophy from a photo and the length and girth measurments. Email or call for more info.

Price-$21 per inch/ one sided wall mount,includes wood plaque or drift wood.
2-sided pedastal mounts available. 

I have added a "For Sale" album. If you see something you are interested in please E-mail or Phone me about the item. Check back as I will be adding more rods as I finish them. Thanks for looking!

Prairie Drifter Rods/Taxidermy
1354 HWY 59 N
Miles City,MT 59301
406-232-3820

prairiedrifter@wbaccess.net