William "Bill" Southam - The Monty Fly Rod

Updated September 3, 2026

William Lionel "Bill" Southam (1899-1968) New South Wales, Australia c.1954 9 ft 5 3/4 oz wt Comes with original rod tube and sleeve. According to a 1954 "Anglers' Guide" catalog advertisement the "Monty" fly rod, along with the "Talbingo" were the most expensive models at 16 pounds. With the Monty being described as using the "Highest quality brown tone cane". William Lionel “Bill” Southam (1899–1968) was one of the foundational makers of Australian bamboo fly rods. Born near Narooma, New South Wales, Southam moved to Sydney in the early 1930s, where he began repairing and disassembling imported Hardy split-cane rods. He famously borrowed a Hardy Crown Houghton from a friend, took it home, and copied it, beginning a process of experimentation that would lead to his own distinctive rods. During the Depression, Southam and his brother-in-law Reg Bell began making split-cane rods from Tonkin bamboo. Working largely without teachers or established Australian makers to learn from, Southam developed his techniques through trial and error and became known as a perfectionist; according to Peter Leuver, a rod that failed to meet his standards might simply be broken across his knee. Southam established his first factory at 77 Longueville Road, Lane Cove, in 1936, eventually moving to larger premises in Artarmon. By 1948, the factory employed approximately 30 people and produced more than 30 models of bamboo rods for freshwater, surf, and game fishing. Southam manufactured many of his own components, including guides, reel seats and butt caps, allowing him greater control over the finished rod. His reputation grew rapidly, aided considerably by Zane Grey, who tested Southam game rods during his 1936 Australian visit and declared them the finest rods he had ever used, permitting Southam to use his endorsement in advertising. Southam was not simply a rod maker but an accomplished competitive caster, winning championships across Australian casting events. His understanding of casting mechanics led him to continually experiment with fly-rod tapers, producing dozens of variations and taking them to casting and instruction days for accomplished anglers to test. Among those who benefited directly was Kevin Laughton, who became Australian Fly-Casting Champion of Champions three times. Southam made Laughton numerous tournament rods, including a 9-foot-5-inch one-piece rod made in 1953, with which Laughton won the Australian Fly-Casting Championships in 1958, 1959 and 1972. Southam's fly rods included the Ringwood, Gem, Talbingo, Abercrombie, Monty, Alpha Trout, Balmoral and No. 1 Fly Rod, among others. The Ringwood, offered in 8½- and 9-foot lengths, became his best-selling fly rod. His work also included unusual experimental designs, most notably the John Rollo, a 7½-foot, three-piece, three-ounce hollow-built rod in which the central pith of the bamboo was removed to reduce weight. The rod is believed to have been named for blue-water angler John Rollo, wh

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