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Morris Kushner
(1905 - 1973)
(November 2009)
Morris Kushner "was something like a violin maker....", begins Robert Traver* , in this really beautiful ( a must have!) DVD movie that Scott Mann (Morris' grandson) and John Romer made from 8mm films 30 years ago.
Morris' name is part of the group of those legendary rod makers working in the Detroit area such as Paul H. Young, Jack Young, now Todd Young, Lyle Dickerson, and today Bob Summers (who is also a classic tackle dealer) . But he basically worked on his own with few contacts with all of them reportedly. He visited the Paul H. Young shop however and was a friend with Bob Summers reportedly (see excerpt, I assume, from the famous book Classic Bamboo Rodmakers Past and Present
on Scott's website)
Morris Kushner was a Russian immigrant who had a metal working operation not far from Paul Young shop. Working with conventional lathe, welding equipment and metal sheet he got used to precision work, an essential part of rod making. When he retired, he produced very few rods and made experiments with bamboo and the metal parts as well which he liked to build himself.
This reminds me of my friend Luciano Oltolini, an excellent cabinet maker who retired and is now using his professional workshop (with lathe, band-saw, sharpening system, etc..) and knowledge to create incredible good bamboo rods and even agathe stripping guides as he showed us in Sarnen.
Anyhow the books states that Morris Kushner:
was a meticulous craftsman
made very few rods (about 200)
experimented extensively with rod tapers and heat treating
His rods show considerable variation in taper design and color
He used mostly Super Z ferrules
he made also hiw own ferrule and reelseat
His grips show a variety of configurations
Reportedly, Bob Summers bought all Morris equipment and started making his own rods (but I don't know why the book says that a milling machine is essential in making bamboo rods, which is not true).
I contacted Scott Mann. A very kind person, and he told me that
"... the most interesting part of the filmmaking was traveling to Michigan's Upper peninsula to see Judge Voelker (aka Robert Traver). He was imposing, grandfatherly, smart as a whip, and certainly intimidated 19 year old Scott. But to be taken to his private cabin on Frenchman's Pond, and have steak and "Voelker" onions cooked for you on the grill by the author of an Academy Award winning movie was, to say the least, almost the thrill of my life."
"I didn't realize then how special that moment was, but I will always remember the technique of throwing unpeeled WHITE onions directly on the coals of the grill. Turn them once after awhile, take them off when completely black, cut the peels off, and they are the sweetest treat with meat or by themselves."
...one of the most scarce builders of the last century, Kushner made less than 200 rods in his Michigan shop from the early 1950's until his death in 1973. He built all of his own rod making equipment after a career as an engineer and tool/die maker. He experimented quite a bit and many of his rods are unique. Bob Summers acquired his rod making equipment and then began making rods of his own. Kushner experimented with odd lengths and uneven sections to move around the ferrules in seeking perfection in his actions. This rod is wrapped in black and tipped in red, bright nickel silver ferrules, blued snakes and tip top, aluminum uplocking reel seat with a rosewood spacer, grip has a slight Wes Jordan style flat thumb, signed in black "Morris Kushner" on the butt, each section is numbered "19". This rod exhibits some of his willingness to build non-traditional rods seeking the ultimate action in that the butt is slightly longer than the mid and tip. Though it looks a little unorthadox, it allowed the butt to have a longer stage and more power in the loading process. If'd you'd like to read more about Kushner, check pages 164-166 in Keane's book. A very scarce and collectible rod.
7' 9" Kushner Exelereme Rod. This 2/2 trout rod is in excellent,
used, condition. It features flamed cane, rosewood reel seat with
cap & ring, Super-Z ferrules and black & orange jasper silk wraps.
It is estimated that this Michigan rod maker crafted less than 200
rods in his lifetime. Both tips were made 3/4" longer than the butt
section. All sections have slight fishing sets. Original bag and possibly
original tube. ($1,200-$1,400)
* Robert Traver, (1903-1991) is the pseudonym of judge John D. Voelker, author of the bestseller book and Otto Preminger's movie with James Steward, "Anatomy of a Murder". This excellent fly fishing writer and angler deserve much more attention and I made a special page just about him.
on Scott's 
