Fishing bamboo

[Barleywine]

I only fish bamboo rods, ranging from 4-wt through 7-wt, and I've never settled on a particular brand or style of line. I sometimes use a silk line (and I do dress it with Otter Butter as narcodog recommended), but I mostly use synthetic lines. In general, Cortland 444 in double taper works well on most of the rods, and the Hook and Hackle lines that you can pick up at a bargain also perform well in DT. In response to Dluver's question, I have used Cortland Sylk, and I find it to underline the rod a bit (matching the 5-wt line with a 5-wt rod). Sylk is a smaller diameter (like actual silk) than typical synthetic lines, and that may seem like an important consideration due to small guides on very old rods, but I find that my old rods with smaller guides such as the Phillipson Pacemaker and Heddon Black Beauty shoot line just fine with standard fly lines.

It all just comes down to matching the rod and the line with your individual casting stroke. Keep trying different lines until you get one that really sings for you, and don't be afraid to go a line size heavier and a size lighter when you're trying them.

[flyman23]

I've got my bamboo all ready, heading up to the West Branch tomorrow.

[FIN-ITE 34]

So, we should expect a fishing report sometime later this week? Something that is not too commonplace on this fishing forum....

[Rusty Spinner]

I've been thinking about trout fishing once again here locally as I see temps expected to drop in coming days. I inherited the late Rick Ege's (stonefly) Hardy Princess reel and put it on my restored 6 weight 'boo. Haven't fished it since his passing.

[FIN-ITE 34]

I've got my bamboo all ready, heading up to the West Branch tomorrow.

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm still waiting to hear how this trip went..........

[WBDluver]

Well if it a report you want its a report you’ll get. Hatches are dependent on where you are. A half mile can make a big difference. Thursday night was action packed as the fish were caught off guard and not aware of my presence. Mostly came to net on various sulpher patterns. Friday was about 50% less action the day time hatch was about as exciting as reading one of Macfrys posts. Some evening action. Today, was a bust. It was clear that word of my presence was out in the fish community. Now i was told upriver was fishing much better but was as crowded as a Chic fil let in Newark

[flyman23]

Sorry for the late report. Got up Tuesday night, fished the Dream Catcher water, nothing coming up and got a few on nymphs. Rained hard over night, river up to 4000cfs and looked like chocolate milk. Took the day off and went for a drive. Next morning still high and stained. No one fishing I had a 10 fish morning with 2 that took me into my backing. Any dry fly action was up river around Stilesville. Never saw that area so packed. I was practicing social distancing long before it become popular and I'd rather nymph or swing streamers before fishing in that crowd. Last day got a couple nice ones in the morning and had to head home. All said had a good trip and there is no where I've been that can come close to the fish on the West Branch.

[flyman23]

Oh, I forgot, I put my bamboo away unused. Not what I prefer but a good amount of nice fish nontheless.

[FIN-ITE 34]

Thanks. I'm with you when it comes to fishing the crowds.

[CTobias]

I fish eggs under a bobber with my bamboo rods.

[FIN-ITE 34]

I fish eggs under a bobber with my bamboo rods.

As I live and breathe, Tobias does also.

[CTobias]

I’ve got a bamboo rod I still haven’t even fished yet. I will need to make sure I fix that next summer.