Bamboo rods

[Flyfisher]

I was looking into a bamboo rod, a first for me. One of the things that concern me is a person/self proprieter making the rod vs. a company making the rod.

It seems that when it comes to finding a reliable rod maker, they are far and few. They say they will have a rod to you by such and such date then they procrastinate and from what I have read, you don't receive the rod until months after the due date. Buying from a rod company like Thomas & Thomas means that you're placed on a waiting list for 2 years. That's not necessarily a bad thing but I don't want to wait that long or pay so much for a rod.

What I'm looking for is a reliable builder who can provide me with references before the building starts.Thanks for your help


I would like a 4weight 7 1/2 foot faster action rod with an extra tip included in the price. I know bamboo rods are slow but I would like to be on the faster spectrum of that slowness.

 

[Petergoodman]

Have never bought a bamboo, but have coveted them. From what I heard, delay is pretty much the deal. There are a limited number of people who know how to make these, and it is not a machine oriented thing like making a graphite rod. Further, these guys are artists, which means that when they see an imperfection they scrap it and start over - which is hell on deadlines, but means that when you finally get your rod it is a masterpiece. They would also not be in this business if they were 9 to 5 guys...

Here is another thought, however. Consider getting a used rod. There are a number of dealers out there, and some of the builders have used rods for sale too. They see it as a way to get more people into bamboo, get them hooked, and then get them into the custom rods later. You get to practice cast the rod to pick one you like, and can recieve it for Christmas!

Read John Gierach's Bamboo for a good introduction, that is also a fun read.

 

[CANE86]

I have 'assembled' my graphite rods for the sake of doing it my way. But, I finally, after much comparison and WEB surfing decided to commission a bamboo rod maker. It took almost 2 months from beginning to receipt. I was like a kid in a candy store and waiting for Santa at the same time. I wasn't disappointed with the results.

I don't know how many rods he makes during this time but be assured he offered to keep me up to date on progress. When you consider the time it takes (40-50 hours per rod), the tediousness, and all that drying time.

Join some forums and ask questions. Be patient and do some comparisons. Some commercial rods are made in China for a couple hundred bucks and sold here for $500-$600. Some are hand planed and others are milled.

 

[Mike_D]

Cliff,

You might want to consider starting with an Orvis bamboo, although I don't mean one of the company's current catalogue rods. Instead, I would suggest you look for a Battenkill from the 1940s to the 1980s. They're readily available (try Ebay), very good fishing rods, solidly built and affordable. A Battenkill (two tip model) can generally be had for $350 - $600. I would recommend you consider the 7.5', 3 7/8 oz model, or the 7.5', 4 oz model. The 3 7/8 oz taper will be labeled a 6#, but fishes well with a 4# or 5#. The 4 oz will be labeled a 7#, but will fish well with a 5# or 6#.

Mike D.
Battenkill Flyfishing

 

[Flyfisher]

Cliff,

You might want to consider starting with an Orvis bamboo, although I don't mean one of the company's current catalogue rods. Instead, I would suggest you look for a Battenkill from the 1940s to the 1980s. They're readily available (try Ebay), very good fishing rods, solidly built and affordable. A Battenkill (two tip model) can generally be had for $350 - $600. I would recommend you consider the 7.5', 3 7/8 oz model, or the 7.5', 4 oz model. The 3 7/8 oz taper will be labeled a 6#, but fishes well with a 4# or 5#. The 4 oz will be labeled a 7#, but will fish well with a 5# or 6#.

Mike D.
Battenkill Flyfishing

thanks MIke. Ebay is not an option for a few reasons. The first being that I can't try before i buy and I know there are a few people out there looking to take my cash. I don't trust ebay or paypal or any of them. I'd just like a reliable builder to build me a custom rod from scratch so I can say it's mine and i'm the only one who fished it. HI Cane. Can you share your makers name? I would like to research him.

 

[Broadheadscreek]

Hi Flyfisher,
You may consider going to the flyfishing show in New Jersey next month there are a number of rod builders at this show they have rods for you to test cast as well as for purchase there are private as well as known companies represented here. The dates are as follows Jan. 26,27,28 at the Garden State Exhibit Center Somerset, NJ hope this helps you out.




Allen

 

[Mayfly]

Hi,

There are many good to excellent "reliable rod makers" that you can find on the web. I'm not a bamboo affecionado but I've participated in discussions about custom made bamboo rods. From what I've gathered, the waiting lists for most of these makers is about a year or more. Also, the rods ain't cheap! Here's a link to one (I have no affiliation) that may be of interest:

Home page

Allan

PS - I learned that I 'Groaned' in this post. It was inadvertant but I don't know how to correct the post with 'edit'.

 

[Bill A]

I own a couple of bamboo rods from various makers. Not knowing what your budget is or the kind you are looking for, here is a builder I have been quite happy with. I own his 7.5 ft. 4 wt. Good luck.

James Reams Bamboo Fly Rods

 

[Flyfisher]

Hi Bill, I will give him a shout. What's the action like on your 4wt? How close was he to his estimated date of completion.
Hi Mayfly, Thanks for the information. I don't know why the GRoan on my post, I didn't say anything that I thought required it.Anyhoo I will check your guy out to. Thanks.
Unfortunately i'll be away that entire week on business so the show is out for me. Thanks anyway.

 

[Pete]

I have no idea why you got the groan, but it's possible that....

At face value, it appears that you contradicted yourself. You can't "try before you buy" when you commission a "custom built" rod.

Perhaps you should contact some of the builders to see if they have some completed rods in stock. If you find one you like, you can either buy it or ask for the same action, with custom fittings & etc.

Here's a builder in NJ, Niemiera Fly Rods - Handsplit Handplaned Bamboo Fly Rods Crafted by John Niemiera
I don't own any of his rods, but his basic models seem to be reasonably priced.

 

[Bill A]

Cliff,

I've fished my Jim Reams rod now for about 5 years. I particularly liked the hollow-built construction because it made the rod so much lighter than rods of the same length and line weight. The rod also damped very quickly at the end of a cast which, at least for me, made for very smooth lines rolling out.

I would describe the action as a medium action - somewhat faster than most bamboo rods I've cast but much slower than my graphite rods.

Bear in mind I bought the rod a number of years ago - at that time I waited about 4 months and he was right on time with the promised delivery date.

Regards,

Bill

 

[Mayfly]

flyfisher,

:crap: Sorry about the 'Groan'. My mouse is getting to be a pain in the as*. It is hard to maneuver and sticks in spots so I'd better take it apart and clean out any fuzz build-up. Anyway, I must have clicked a Groan inadvertently. Your question was legit and did not deserve that exclamation.

Allan

 

[srvrocks]

About the only good information I have seen in this thread is the reference to the NJ FF show Welcome! The Fly Fishing Show
(go and cast anything and everything you can), the suggestions for the makers, and the 1 book.

Before you go any further buy some books. Gierach has been mentioned, get that! Also get Ed Engle's Splitting Cane read chapter 18 and 21 first then read it cover to cover, at the same time get Jack Howell's The Lovely Reed read it cover to cover as well.

Check out the following thread classic cane sellers...???? it is a must. As a matter of fact the whole board is a must. Many of the most reputable fly rod merchants (including Martin Keane, Carmine Lisella and Robert Selb) are listed in the above thread. Some have catalogs only so you have to call to get on their mailing lists, others have web sites. The catalogs are incredible sources of information, unlike EBAY were people say the damnedest things to sell their rods.

Like any rod making material, bamboo is a personal preference. What you call the "faster side of slow" maybe someones "wet fly action." What is a wet fly action? Usually it is an overly stiff rod, sometimes referred to as a 2X4, others may call it a fast bamboo rod.

Other considerations that may influence your choices:

1. dry flies
2. wet flies
3. streamers
4. nymphs
5. brook trout
6. steelhead
7. salmon
8. Delaware River
9. A Pocono creek
10. Beaverkill
11. Battenkill
12. Budget - one tips are cheaper see JD Wagner Patriot Rods

These will all influence your thought and purchasing process. I hope you find this helpful. Ed Engle states in Splitting Cane "Cast, Cast, Cast!" I paraphrased a little.

Regards,

Alan
</IMG>