CLASSIC TAPER SERIES

Paul H. Young Bamboo Fly Rod Blank

Explore the ZHUSROD bamboo fly rod blank options connected to Paul H. Young taper profiles in our catalog. Compare line weight, length, sections and measured rod character before choosing a blank for your build.

Catalog era
Renaissance
Country / region
Detroit, Michigan, United States
Active years
1925-1960 (Paul Young's leadership)
In this collection
17 blanks
Browse 17 blanks
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Clear all filters Not sure? Find your rod 17 matches

  • Paul H. Young Midge #2

    Specifications

    WT
    4wt
    Length
    6' 3"
    Sections
    2pc

    Choose this 6'3", 2-piece profile for dry-fly work and dry-dropper rigs on creeks and small rivers, with its practical window centered on 19-41 feet.

    From $119.00

    Made to Order

    View blank
    More details

    Character

    Bend
    Full
    Tempo
    Moderate
    Power
    Light
    Water
    • Creek
    • Small River
    Techniques
    • Dry Fly
    • Dry-Dropper
    Conditions
    • Tight Cover

  • Paul H. Young Midge

    Specifications

    WT
    4wt
    Length
    6' 3"
    Sections
    3pc

    Choose this 6'3", 3-piece profile for dry-fly work and dry-dropper rigs on creeks and small rivers, with its practical window centered on 19-41 feet.

    From $179.00

    Made to Order

    View blank
    More details

    Character

    Bend
    Full
    Tempo
    Moderate
    Power
    Light
    Water
    • Creek
    • Small River
    Techniques
    • Dry Fly
    • Dry-Dropper
    Conditions
    • Tight Cover

  • Paul H. Young Driggs River

    Specifications

    WT
    4wt
    Length
    7' 2"
    Sections
    2pc

    Choose this 7'2", 2-piece profile for dry-fly work and dry-dropper rigs on small rivers and medium rivers, with its practical window centered on 21-41 feet.

    From $119.00

    Made to Order

    View blank
    More details

    Character

    Bend
    Mid
    Tempo
    Moderate
    Power
    Light
    Water
    • Small River
    • Medium River
    Techniques
    • Dry Fly
    • Dry-Dropper
    Conditions
    • Open Water

  • Paul H. Young Brightwater

    Specifications

    WT
    4wt
    Length
    7' 6"
    Sections
    2pc

    Choose this 7'6", 2-piece profile for dry-fly work and dry-dropper rigs on small rivers and medium rivers, with its practical window centered on 21-41 feet.

    From $139.00

    Made to Order

    View blank
    More details

    Character

    Bend
    Full
    Tempo
    Moderate
    Power
    Light
    Water
    • Small River
    • Medium River
    Techniques
    • Dry Fly
    • Dry-Dropper
    Conditions
    • Open Water

  • Paul H. Young Perfectionist

    Specifications

    WT
    4wt
    Length
    7' 6"
    Sections
    2pc

    Choose this 7'6", 2-piece profile for dry-fly work and dry-dropper rigs on small rivers and medium rivers, with its practical window centered on 21-41 feet.

    From $139.00

    Made to Order

    View blank
    More details

    Character

    Bend
    Full
    Tempo
    Moderate
    Power
    Light
    Water
    • Small River
    • Medium River
    Techniques
    • Dry Fly
    • Dry-Dropper
    Conditions
    • Open Water

  • Paul H. Young Driggs River #2

    Specifications

    WT
    5wt
    Length
    7' 2"
    Sections
    2pc

    Choose this 7'2", 2-piece profile for dry-fly work, nymphing, and wet-fly work on small rivers and medium rivers, with its practical window centered on 21-45 feet.

    From $119.00

    Made to Order

    View blank
    More details

    Character

    Bend
    Mid
    Tempo
    Moderate
    Power
    Medium
    Water
    • Small River
    • Medium River
    Techniques
    • Dry Fly
    • Nymph
    • Wet Fly
    Conditions
    • Open Water

  • Paul H. Young Martha Marie

    Specifications

    WT
    5wt
    Length
    7' 6"
    Sections
    3pc

    Choose this 7'6", 3-piece profile for dry-fly work, nymphing, and wet-fly work on small rivers and medium rivers, with its practical window centered on 21-45 feet.

    From $179.00

    Made to Order

    View blank
    More details

    Character

    Bend
    Tip
    Tempo
    Moderate
    Power
    Medium
    Water
    • Small River
    • Medium River
    Techniques
    • Dry Fly
    • Nymph
    • Wet Fly
    Conditions
    • Open Water

  • Paul H. Young Para 14

    Specifications

    WT
    5wt
    Length
    7' 9"
    Sections
    2pc

    Choose this 7'9", 2-piece profile for dry-fly work, nymphing, and wet-fly work on small rivers and medium rivers, with its practical window centered on 21-45 feet.

    From $159.00

    Made to Order

    View blank
    More details

    Character

    Bend
    Full
    Tempo
    Quick
    Power
    Medium
    Water
    • Small River
    • Medium River
    Techniques
    • Dry Fly
    • Nymph
    • Wet Fly
    Conditions
    • Open Water

  • Paul H. Young Princess

    Specifications

    WT
    5wt
    Length
    7'
    Sections
    2pc

    Choose this 7', 2-piece profile for dry-fly work, nymphing, and wet-fly work on small rivers and medium rivers, with its practical window centered on 21-45 feet.

    From $119.00

    Made to Order

    View blank
    More details

    Character

    Bend
    Tip
    Tempo
    Quick
    Power
    Medium
    Water
    • Small River
    • Medium River
    Techniques
    • Dry Fly
    • Nymph
    • Wet Fly
    Conditions
    • Open Water

  • Paul H. Young Martha Marie #2

    Specifications

    WT
    6wt
    Length
    7' 6"
    Sections
    2pc

    Choose this 7'6", 2-piece profile for nymphing, wet-fly work, and light streamers on small rivers and medium rivers, with its practical window centered on 24-49 feet.

    From $139.00

    Made to Order

    View blank
    More details

    Character

    Bend
    Full
    Tempo
    Moderate
    Power
    Medium
    Water
    • Small River
    • Medium River
    Techniques
    • Nymph
    • Wet Fly
    • Light Streamer
    Conditions
    • Open Water

  • Paul H. Young Boat Rod

    Specifications

    WT
    6wt
    Length
    8'
    Sections
    2pc

    Choose this 8', 2-piece profile for nymphing, wet-fly work, and light streamers on small rivers and medium rivers, with its practical window centered on 24-53 feet.

    From $159.00

    Made to Order

    View blank
    More details

    Character

    Bend
    Full
    Tempo
    Moderate
    Power
    Medium
    Water
    • Small River
    • Medium River
    Techniques
    • Nymph
    • Wet Fly
    • Light Streamer
    Conditions
    • Open Water

  • Paul H. Young Para 15

    Specifications

    WT
    6wt
    Length
    8'
    Sections
    2pc

    Choose this 8', 2-piece profile for dry-fly presentations and nymphing on small rivers and medium rivers.

    From $159.00

    Made to Order

    View blank
    More details

    Character

    Bend
    Full
    Tempo
    Slow
    Power
    Medium
    Water
    • Small River
    • Medium River
    Techniques
    • Dry Fly
    • Nymph
    Conditions
    • Open Water

  • Paul H. Young Para 16

    Specifications

    WT
    7wt
    Length
    8' 6"
    Sections
    2pc

    Choose this 8'6", 2-piece profile for heavy streamers and swung flies on large rivers and stillwaters, with its practical window centered on 24-57 feet.

    From $159.00

    Made to Order

    View blank
    More details

    Character

    Bend
    Full
    Tempo
    Quick
    Power
    Heavy
    Water
    • Large River
    • Stillwater
    Techniques
    • Heavy Streamer
    • Swing
    Conditions
    • Open Water
    • Wind

  • Paul H. Young Para 17

    Specifications

    WT
    7wt
    Length
    8' 6"
    Sections
    2pc

    Choose this 8'6", 2-piece profile for heavy streamers and swung flies on large rivers and stillwaters, with its practical window centered on 24-57 feet.

    From $159.00

    Made to Order

    View blank
    More details

    Character

    Bend
    Full
    Tempo
    Quick
    Power
    Heavy
    Water
    • Large River
    • Stillwater
    Techniques
    • Heavy Streamer
    • Swing
    Conditions
    • Open Water
    • Wind

  • Paul H. Young Texas General

    Specifications

    WT
    8wt
    Length
    8' 6"
    Sections
    2pc

    Choose this 8'6", 2-piece profile for heavy streamers and swung flies on large rivers and stillwaters, with its practical window centered on 28-61 feet.

    From $159.00

    Made to Order

    View blank
    More details

    Character

    Bend
    Full
    Tempo
    Quick
    Power
    Heavy
    Water
    • Large River
    • Stillwater
    Techniques
    • Heavy Streamer
    • Swing
    Conditions
    • Open Water
    • Wind

  • Paul H. Young Para 11

    Specifications

    WT
    8wt
    Length
    9' 4"
    Sections
    3pc

    Choose this 9'4", 3-piece profile for heavy streamers and swung flies on large rivers and stillwaters, with its practical window centered on 31-65 feet.

    From $179.00

    Made to Order

    View blank
    More details

    Character

    Bend
    Mid
    Tempo
    Moderate
    Power
    Heavy
    Water
    • Large River
    • Stillwater
    Techniques
    • Heavy Streamer
    • Swing
    Conditions
    • Open Water
    • Wind

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THE TAPER BACKGROUND

About Paul H. Young

Paul H. Young was a self-taught Detroit innovator known for compound and parabolic tapers, intensive heat treatment, and designs shaped by fishing experience.

Documented design context

The American Museum of Fly Fishing highlights Young's heat treatment of cane to improve strength relative to weight. His best-known parabolic and compound designs store power deeper in the blank and do not follow a simple uniform progression.

The Para series, Midge, Driggs River, Martha Marie, and Perfectionist cover markedly different fishing tasks. Lively loading and field-led experimentation connect the family, but each model needs its own line and tempo assessment.

Related taper profiles

Related taper designs in the catalog.

  • Paul H. Young Para 11
  • Paul H. Young Texas General
  • Paul H. Young Perfectionist
  • Paul H. Young Driggs River
  • Paul H. Young Para 14
  • Paul H. Young Para 16

+13 more referenced profiles

FROM THE ROD MAKER'S BENCH

Read the lineage in context

Historical names provide catalog context. They do not imply original manufacture, authorization, endorsement or an exact match between every historical rod and a current ZHUSROD product.

A few details before you choose

Tips and sections

Tip count and assembled piece count are separate facts.

Ferrule responsibility

Ferruled and unferruled Variants lead to different builder work.

Included items

Only the selected Product page defines what arrives with the blank.

Questions about a build?

Contact ZHUSROD about the product and configuration you are considering.

Paul H. Young Taper Bamboo Fly Rod Blanks

This is one of the broadest maker-reference blank collections at ZHUSROD. Available designs include Midge, Perfectionist, Martha Marie and multiple Para references, creating choices across very different lengths, line weights and intended finished rods.

Choose the Young blank by model

Select by the actual taper reference. A compact Midge blank requires different components from a Perfectionist or Martha Marie project, while a long Para 11, Para 14, Para 15 or Para 16 build requires deliberate planning for ferrules, grip proportions, reel-seat weight and completed balance.

  • Light trout builds: compare Midge and Perfectionist dimensions before choosing lightweight hardware.
  • Classic all-around projects: review Martha Marie by its exact length, line weight and section layout.
  • Para series builds: compare Para 11, Para 14, Para 15 and Para 16 for power, reach, loading and intended water.
  • Blank configuration: confirm tip count, ferrule option and section arrangement before ordering guides or a reel seat.

These are newly made ZHUSROD blanks based on archived Paul H. Young taper references, not original Young blanks, factory replacement sections or antique components. Use the rod-builder resources and guide-spacing reference while planning the build. Completed rods are available in Paul H. Young taper bamboo fly rods, with components available through rod-building supplies.