THE TAPER BACKGROUND
About Cross
Cross was a short-lived Massachusetts bamboo-rod company closely associated with Wes Jordan, whose machinery and methods later influenced South Bend and Orvis.
Documented design context
Jordan developed milling and gluing equipment at Cross and built fly, tournament, trolling, and surf rods. Some heavier Cross rods used double-built, twelve-strip construction to add strength, while lighter models pursued more delicate fishing roles.
That range is visible in names such as Bass Bug Rod, Bataviakill, Dry Fly, and Sylph. The exact model and period are more reliable guides to action than the Cross name by itself.
Related taper profiles
Related taper designs in the catalog.
- Cross Bass Bug Rod
- Cross Dry Fly
- South Bend Cross Sylph
- Cross Sylph
- Cross Bataviakill