Thanks Gerard...

Stephen also sent me this text:

A few years ago I sent Adam a few photos of a "palm-style" small stream rod grip with a shelf of cork extending over the reel spacer; moving the hand partly over the reel for comfort and balance.

For interest, here are some new experiments (sorry about iPhone quality): a minimalist grip with small tap washers providing a "base" for attaching the reel with small cable ties and a "center-axis" design with integrated reel (in wood). The photo of the center-axis showing a cork grip is superimposed over another rod - just to give an idea at this stage.

Stephen