Paul H. Young Bamboo Fly Rod Tapers: The Para Series & Beyond

Of all the great American rodmakers, none cast a longer shadow across the craft than Paul H. Young. From his small shop in Detroit, Young designed tapers that redefined what a bamboo fly rod could do — blending the full-flex feel that purists craved with a parabolic recovery that gave his rods surprising reach. Nearly six decades after his passing, Young's tapers remain among the most copied, fished, and admired in the history of the craft.

Who Was Paul H. Young?

Paul H. Young (1890–1968) was a Detroit-based rodmaker whose career spanned the golden age of bamboo fly rods. A self-taught builder who began making rods in the 1920s, Young operated a small but influential shop on Cass Avenue in midtown Detroit for over three decades.

Young's genius lay in his willingness to depart from convention. While the dominant East Coast makers — Leonard, Payne, Garrison — built tapers that loaded progressively from tip to butt, Young developed what became known as the "Para" (parabolic) taper: a design where the rod loads deeply through the entire blank and recovers with a distinctive, almost rotational snap. The result was a rod that felt light and alive in the hand, capable of delicate short-range presentation yet powerful enough to reach across a wide run when needed. For a broader view of how Young fits among his contemporaries, the history of classic bamboo fly rod makers offers useful context.

This "para" action polarized opinion in Young's lifetime. Traditionalists found it too unconventional; converts found it revelatory. Today, the debate has largely settled in Young's favor. The Para tapers — particularly the Para 14 and Para 16 — are considered among the most versatile and enjoyable bamboo rod designs ever created.

Young also designed exceptional progressive-action rods (the Midge, Driggs River, Perfectionist), proving that his design range extended well beyond parabolic theory. In total, Young produced over 8,000 rods and developed more than 15 distinct taper designs — a body of work that remains unmatched in its variety and influence.

The Young Design Philosophy

Young's tapers share a set of characteristics that distinguish them from the Payne, Garrison, and Leonard schools:

• Deep, full-blank loading: Whether parabolic or progressive, Young's tapers engage the entire blank on every cast, giving the angler exceptional tactile feedback
• Fast tip recovery with a slow feel: This paradox — "slow to load, fast to unload" — is the signature of Young design and what makes his rods so addictive to cast
• Generous butt diameter: Young's blanks are typically thicker in the lower sections than comparable Payne or Leonard tapers, contributing to their authority and durability
• Line-hand friendliness: Young rods pair beautifully with both silk and modern synthetic lines, a versatility not all classic tapers share

Paul H. Young Taper Specifications at a Glance

The Para Series: Young's Signature Achievement

The Para tapers are Paul H. Young's most consequential contribution to rodmaking. The concept — a rod that loads parabolically through the full blank, recovering with a powerful snap — was radical in the 1930s and remains distinctive today.

Para 14: The Definitive Young Rod

Specifications: 7'9" · 5wt · 2-piece · Parabolic action

If you own only one Paul H. Young taper, the Para 14 is the one to choose. At seven feet nine inches, it occupies a versatile middle ground — long enough to manage line on a modest river, short enough to navigate brushy banks and tight casting windows. Its five-weight rating reflects honest power: the Para 14 can turn over a bushy dry fly, deliver a weighted nymph rig, and shoot line with authority when the moment demands it.

What sets the Para 14 apart is its casting rhythm. It loads deeply and progressively — you feel the rod working from cork to tip — then recovers with a sharp, clean loop. This "slow feel, fast delivery" combination makes it one of the most satisfying bamboo rods to cast at distances of 30 to 50 feet. Beginners and experts alike find something to love.

Ideal for: Versatile trout fishing · Dry flies, nymphs, and small streamers · Medium-sized rivers and larger streams · Anglers seeking one rod for all trout situations

Explore the Paul H. Young Para 14 7'9" 5wt bamboo fly rod at Zhusrod →

Para 16: The Power Specialist

Specifications: 8'6" · 7wt · 2-piece · Parabolic action

The Para 16 scales Young's parabolic design into heavier territory — a rod built for smallmouth bass, steelhead, and large-stream trout fishing where wind and distance are factors. At eight feet six inches and seven weight, the Para 16 has the backbone to handle streamers, sink-tip lines, and fighting fish in current, while retaining the deep-loading, responsive feel that defines the Para series.

Its parabolic recovery means the rod absorbs shock during a fight rather than transferring it to the leader — a significant advantage when pursuing hard-running fish on light tippet.

Ideal for: Smallmouth bass · Light steelhead · Large-stream trout with streamers · Windy conditions on open water

Explore the Paul H. Young Para 16 8'6" 7wt bamboo fly rod at Zhusrod →

Para 17 & Para 17 #2: The Heavy Artillery

Specifications: Para 17 — 8'6" · 7wt · Parabolic Heavy · 2-piece | Para 17 #2 — 8'6" · 9wt · Parabolic Heavy · 2-piece

The Para 17 family represents Young's designs for big water and big fish. The standard Para 17 (7wt) handles large-river trout and anadromous species with surprising grace — it is, in many ways, the most refined heavy bamboo fly rod ever designed. The Para 17 #2 (9wt) pushes into salmon territory, with the power to cast heavy sinking lines and fight fish that would overwhelm lighter tapers.

Both rods maintain Young's signature deep loading and fast recovery, even at these heavier line weights — a testament to the strength and efficiency of the parabolic design.

Ideal for: Para 17 — Salmon, steelhead, large-river trout | Para 17 #2 — Big-game freshwater, Atlantic salmon, heavy sink-tip presentations

Explore the Paul H. Young Para 17 8'6" 7wt bamboo fly rod at Zhusrod →

The Progressive Tapers: Precision and Tradition

While the Para series gets the headlines, Young's progressive-action tapers are equally accomplished — and in some fishing situations, preferable.

Midge: The Ultralight Specialist

Specifications: 6'3" · 4wt · 3-piece · Progressive / Moderate action

The Midge is Young's gift to the small-stream purist. At just over six feet, it is designed for intimate water — brushy brooks, mountain creeks, and headwater runs where casting room is limited and delicacy is paramount. Its three-piece construction makes it easy to pack into the backcountry. If you fish this kind of water regularly, the broader craft of small stream fly fishing with a bamboo rod is worth exploring alongside it.

The Midge's moderate progressive action loads beautifully at distances of 15 to 30 feet, presenting size 18–24 dries and emergers with a feather-light touch. It is not a distance rod — it was never meant to be. But for the angler who finds joy in small water and technical presentation, the Midge is nearly perfect.

Ideal for: Small mountain streams · Size 18–24 dry flies and midges · Backcountry fishing · Anglers who value portability (3-piece)

Explore the Paul H. Young Midge 6'3" 4wt bamboo fly rod at Zhusrod →

Driggs River & Driggs River #2: The Small-Water Duo

Specifications: Driggs River — 7'2" · 4wt · 2-piece · Progressive | Driggs River #2 — 7'2" · 5wt · 2-piece · Progressive

Named after the Driggs River in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, these tapers are Young's interpretation of the ideal small-stream rod. The original Driggs River (4wt) is a refined dry-fly tool — smooth, accurate, and capable of delicate presentations in tight quarters. The Driggs River #2 (5wt) adds a touch more power for situations involving larger flies, wind, or slightly more open water.

Both tapers share a characteristic Young quality: they feel lighter in the hand than their actual weight suggests, thanks to the efficient taper design and generous butt section that absorbs vibration.

Ideal for: Small to medium streams · Dry fly fishing · Brushy conditions requiring accuracy over distance

Explore the Paul H. Young Driggs River 7'2" 4wt bamboo fly rod at Zhusrod →

Perfectionist: The All-Around Four-Weight

Specifications: 7'6" · 4wt · 2-piece · Progressive action

The Perfectionist lives up to its name. At seven feet six inches and four weight, it is the progressive-action equivalent of the Para 14's versatility — a rod that handles dry flies, emergers, and sparse nymph rigs with equal confidence. Its progressive taper loads smoothly across the blank, producing tight loops and accurate presentations at distances from 20 to 50 feet.

Where the Perfectionist differs from the Para 14 is in feel. It loads more conventionally — tip to mid to butt — rather than the full-blank parabolic sweep of the Para. Some anglers prefer this more traditional loading behavior, finding it easier to time and more predictable in varying wind conditions.

Ideal for: Versatile trout fishing · Dry fly and emerger specialist · Anglers who prefer progressive over parabolic action

Explore the Paul H. Young Perfectionist 7'6" 4wt bamboo fly rod at Zhusrod →

Martha Marie: The Dry Fly Artist

Specifications: 7'6" · 5wt · 3-piece · Progressive / Parabolic action

The Martha Marie occupies a special place in the Young catalog — a progressive-to-parabolic taper with a distinctly sweet mid-range action that excels at dry fly presentation. Named after a family member, the Martha Marie was one of Young's personal favorites.

Its three-piece construction adds practicality without compromising casting quality. At medium distances (25–45 feet), the Martha Marie produces what many anglers describe as the most satisfying loop of any Young taper — tight, rounded, and laid down with a gentleness that reduces drag on flat water.

Ideal for: Dry fly fishing on smooth water · Medium-range presentation · Anglers who value aesthetics in casting

Explore the Paul H. Young Martha Marie 7'6" 5wt bamboo fly rod at Zhusrod →

Choosing the Right Paul H. Young Taper

By Fishing Scenario

By Casting Preference

• You love feeling the entire rod work → Para 14 or Para 16 (deep loading, full engagement)
• You prefer a traditional progressive stroke → Perfectionist or Driggs River (tip-to-butt loading)
• You fish small water with tiny flies → Midge (ultralight precision)
• You want the best dry fly loop ever → Martha Marie (aesthetic perfection)

Young vs. the Competition: How the Tapers Compare

Young's range — from the 6'3" Midge to the 8'6" Para 17 #2 — is unmatched among classic American rodmakers. Where Payne and Garrison concentrated on trout-weight tapers, Young designed across the full spectrum, giving him a practical versatility that no single competitor can match. If you're curious how their individual designs hold up, the Payne taper deep-dive and the Garrison taper series guide make for an instructive side-by-side read.

The Zhusrod Connection

At Zhusrod, we've built our reputation on preserving the great taper traditions while applying modern craftsmanship standards. Every Paul H. Young taper in our catalog is constructed from carefully selected Tonkin cane aged for a minimum of five years, fitted with 18% nickel-silver ferrules, and finished with hand-rubbed spar varnish. The result is a rod that honors Young's original design intent while benefiting from decades of refinement in materials and technique.

Our master builders have interpreted each Young taper with meticulous attention to the original specifications — not as slavish copies, but as living designs that continue to perform as their creator intended. From the subtle parabolic sweep of the Para 14 to the feather-light delicacy of the Midge, each rod is a testament to Young's enduring genius.

Getting Started with Paul H. Young

If you're new to bamboo fly rods and considering your first Paul H. Young taper, our guide to choosing your first bamboo fly rod can help you think through the key decisions before committing to a taper. Here are our recommendations:

Best first Young rod: The Para 14 — it's the most versatile, the most forgiving, and the most representative of Young's design philosophy.

For the small-stream enthusiast: The Midge — there's nothing quite like it for tight-quarters fishing with micro patterns.

For the dry fly purist: The Martha Marie — the loop it produces is worth the price of admission alone.

Browse our complete collection of handcrafted bamboo fly rods to find the Paul H. Young taper that matches your fishing. All orders over $150 ship free worldwide.