When Jim Payne's dad, rod maker Ed Payne died in 1914, Jim took over his father's rod making business. Several years later Jim Payne's flame treated bamboo rods would begin the journey which would turn them into one of the most sought after fly rods of all time. Payne fly rod models such as the 96 , 97 , and 101 would fast become fly fisher's favorites. In 1936 Jim sold the EF Payne rod company to the Gladding Corporation. Gladding continued making rods until the mid 1970's when they closed the operation. Jim Payne's rods are very much in demand in today's market.