Bamboo rod repair — Need a reference book

[Curtis E. Niedermier]

So the online catalog at my local library revealed zero results when I made this query: bamboo fly fishing rod.

Now I pose this question to you all: What’s a good book or Web site that can be used as a reference for bamboo rod repair?

I looked through a few pages of the books on Amazon with its “Look Inside!” feature. Several of them looked interesting. “Handcrafting Bamboo Fly Rods” by Wayne Cattanach looked good. It seemed very technical, with lots of charts and graphs. However, I don’t really need a lot of information about building rods, just basic restoration work.

The back story is that while I was home over Thanksgiving, I dug through my dad’s collection of my grandfather’s old fishing tackle and snuck out of there with my grandpa’s old bamboo fly rod. It’s nothing fancy. I did a little Google research and found it valued at somewhere between $150 and $180. I’m not interested in selling it anyway. I want to fish with it. But it needs a little TLC. The bamboo seems to be in amazing shape. No cracks, no blemishes, beautiful. But the wrapping on the guides is starting to unravel. It apparently happened a long time ago because the Scotch tape my grandpa used to hold it in place has turned yellow and is starting to unwrap.

I’d like to re-wrap the guides before I lose one. So maybe the best question for this post is How do I fix this problem?

I don’t want to refinish anything else because I don’t want to ruin that wonderful aged look of the rod — it’s the same look that his old Model 12 has, which shows me what an old-school, well-used tool of the outdoors should look like.

Any suggestions? I’ll post some pics later.

[Zach Matthews]

CE –

Art Scheck’s book, “Fly Rod Building Made Easy” will very simply and clearly set out everything you need to know to wrap a bamboo rod.

[Curtis E. Niedermier]

Thanks. I’ll check it out. I just spent the last hour or so watching YouTube videos about making bamboo fly rods. Fascinating, to say the least. I’ve always been into woodworking and similar crafts, but never anything that detailed and precise.

[Bob Riggins]

First, there is a big difference between repairing and restoring.

[mick mccorcle]

The two best books I know of on the subject are:

Stuart Kirkfield’s The fine bamboo fly rod: A master’s secrets of restoration and repair.

[Andrew Barclay]

I would also add that you really shouldn’t be scared to refinish the rod, and you will probably have to.

[Jay Hake]

I would agree with Andrew.

[Curtis E. Niedermier]

I hope I’m not biting off more than I can chew, but I’m going to start the research process for a complete restoration. I needed a winter project anyway. I just wish I had a shop to work in. My spare bedroom is stacked to the ceiling with reloading supplies for my other hobby.

Thanks guys. I’ll post questions as they come. For now, it’s time to roam Amazon for good prices on books.

[Curtis E. Niedermier]

Does anyone here know Michael Sinclair? Or is he a member of this board? I live about 30 minutes from Paducah, Ky., where he apparently lives. Just curious.

[Jay Hake]

C.E.,

I will send you Michael’s contact information via PM.

Jay

[Randy Kadish]

Michael’s book is good. I heard it’s back in print, but I’m not sure.
I had to spend a lot of money for a copy.
Randy

[Jay Hake]

Michael’s book is good. I heard it’s back in print, but I’m not sure.
I had to spend a lot of money for a copy.
Randy

Unfortunately, it is out of print again.

[Author]

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