8’3” 2pc

Super-soft power

Multi-loading action

Recommended line 1-3kg

Ideal lure range 1-5gm

Pac Bay Minima 8+1 over-size guide train (smallest guide size #6)

Millerods Custom anti-tangle Hook Keeper

Plus $55 insured courier delivery within Australia

*Availability; In stock and available now.

Ian Miller’s long history of freshwater lure casting also includes trout fishing. Decades ago, he was on the river banks fishing with the Aussie pioneers of fishing the famous ‘spotted dog’ floating minnows and witnessed and fished through the evolution of the ‘drift rig’ style fishing with weighted glo-bug and nymph flies. His deep understanding of these styles led him to custom build quite a few specialist rods for these applications, including the popular 'Jigflicker' for hand tied jigs and hard bodied lures, and ‘noodle rods’ for drift rigs.

But he had a personal favourite and only made one: A hybrid, a rod designed to fish all these styles and one that he’d never been able to perfect - until now!

Maybe it’s best if Ian explains this himself…

“I’ve always loved both approaches to my trout spinning in the rivers. The drift-rig is perhaps the ultimate and quite deadly on spawn run trout in the Snowys and I also had success in the Blue Mountains at various times of the year. But the famous ‘spotted dog’ lures are equally deadly, and a lot of fun to fish when trout are in an aggressive mood!

Eventually I made myself a custom rod from a heavily modified blank that did both jobs, and I was able to swap from one style to another quite effectively, but it was never ‘just right’. It’s played on my mind for years and in a recent moment of self-indulgence I decided to perfect it… and came up with the Drifter, over 8 feet of ultra-light spinning rod and an absolute pleasure to use for both techniques here in Australia!

The design is slightly shorter than a specialist noodle rod but with plenty of length to control a great drift and that classic soft noodle action that protects hook holds of small flies. But when I wanT to cast a hard bodied lure, I can do that too - It’s extra length and some power down low help enable long casts up, across or downstream. And it’s a fantastic rod for other trout fishing applications as well!”

While designed primarily for drift rigging and casting hard bodied lures, the Drifter 832 has far wider applications. Making long casts with a conventional spinner in the rivers is another, as is drifting baits. And in the lakes it’s ideal for bait fishing with or without a float, using natural or synthetic baits.

The graphite blank is ultra-light, super sensitive, with a super-soft tip action with all the forgiveness needed when using fly size hooks yet enough low-down power to easily cast minnows this is one unique rod! The custom handle is a blend of traditional cork for sensitivity and lightness with a low profile, ergonomic reel seat that’s comfortable in the hand. The graphite locking hood affords the best energy transfer during repetitive casting.

Ian selected Minima guides for this rod as they are the lightest guide available that also allows for a large diameter ring to be used to help avoid likelihood of ice building up during freezing temperatures. But the guide train is so light it doesn’t have a negative impact on the rod action and sensitivity.

Suitable for use with nylon lines, fluorocarbon lines and braid/leader combinations.