Kettle Creek Tackle

Phil Balachino

Kettle Creek Tackle Shop

17 Kettle Creek Tackle Ln

Renovo, PA 17764

Phone (570) 923-1416

Fax (570) 923-1420

This page is still a work in progress.

Kettle Creek does not sell factory rods, only rod blanks.  The blanks are E-glass and are designed on Vince Cummings' tapers.  There is a whole line of blanks, but they include:

5'10" spigot feruled blank for a 2pc. 3/4wt. that runs about $60

7'0" 3/4 weight

8'0" 5 weight is "in the works"

7'6" 4 weight

The blank color is "bamboo" and matte tan (olive-khaki cast).  Phil will also send a Cummings spacing chart on request. ...Sells components too.

He's designed new: 7.5' 3/4; 7.5' 4/5 and an 8.0' 4/5. ALL GOOD.The 7'6" 4/5 was especially good and he agreed. It seemed to hit just right. Blanks are $75 ea. The 3/4 is a gloss bamboo and the 4/5s are a darker matte "flamed cane" color. The 4/5s have wide butts and will demand metal seats. He said he tried a narrower butt with thicker walls. I then cast the prototype. The ones he produced are better. I grabbed a 7'6" 4/5 I'll wrap this winter and will recommend them. Phil's favorite: 6'8" 3/4. Nice. He's also designing a 4pc. 7'8' or 7'9" in a 3/4.

I was up on Kettle Ck. and of course...visited Phil Baldacchino's Kettle Ck. Tackle Shop. I took lots of pics, burned a disc I sent Cameron and wound up deleteing them afterwards.... Oh well, I'm hoping Cameron inserts them here. Well, the new rods were a nice surprise! The 7'6" 3/4 is full flexing and slower than most of his other tapers. The 7'6" 4/5 and 8'0" 4/5 are power houses. I'd recommend any of them and for $75...why not? My favorite of the 3 was the 7'6" 4/5 which had me casting 50' of a WF5 in a couple cast. The 8'0" is just as impressive. The 7'6" 3/4 reminded me of classic e-glass (all the rods are e-glass). Smooth, deep flexing, mellow... Phil has no web site, or computer!

Phone: 570.923.1416

Best way to catch him is by FAX: 570.923.1420

7'6" 4/5 Riffle rod blank

Personal description/observation

Evanslmtd/Barry 07/03/08

I ordered one of the 2 piece, 7-1/2', 4/5 Kettle Creek "Riffle" blanks to build up.

The blanks are a medium tan in color (IMO, very pretty), light in weight, and are a moderate action. To me, they cast crisply and feel buttery smooth. They cast well up close (15-20'), yet have the power to reach out if necessary. They have enough reserve power in their butt section to enable one to land a good fish without worrying about over-stressing the rod.

6'8" 3/4 Riffle rod blank

Personal description/observation

Evanslmtd/Barry 08/03/08

I just finished building up one of these blanks.

The blanks are a glossy medium Tan in color (a shade or two lighter than the Matte blanks), light in weight. This blank weighed 1.46 oz. on my scale.

This blank feels a little slower/softer than the 4/5 blank to me, however, it casts very well. The action feels as smooth and buttery as its big brother (the 4/5). Accurate short line casts are a snap as well as longer casts.

IMO, these blanks are a good buy for the money. 

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