Stupid questions on bamboo
- This topic has 14 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated Sep 1, 2008 at 1:42 am by
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I’m attracted to bamboo fly rods in the same way that I’m attracted to Spanish side-by-side shotguns.
Abe, 3wt bamboo is a bit on the light side…I have a several and conditions are rarely nice enough to fish them..I get a lot more use out of my bamboo 4 & 5wts.If I could have only one..it would be an 8′ for a 5wt..if I could have two..8′ for a 5wt and 7.5′ for a 4wt.
Cast a few before you pull the trigger on one..Might post up on the Classic Fly Rod Forum seeking cane heads in your area. Most folks love to break out their boo for a bit of casting and some jaw jacking. Good luck and welcome to the dark side!
I wrote the piece below a few years ago in response to the same question on another board. It’s fairly general in nature but may be of some help. If you let us know where you’re located, I can probably turn you on to someone local that can let you try a few rods out and hopefully explain more about the slippery slope you may be headed down. Zach’s advice about visiting the Classic Fly Rod Board is sound and will allow you to ask questions to people who live and breathe bamboo. In closing, I humbly suggest looking in the 7-1/2’ to 8’ 4 to 5 weight range. Good Luck and let us know how you make out.
Rolf
So You Want To Buy A Bamboo Rod….
Yep. You may have read Gierach’s books and see yourself standing there in the middle of the stream with your rod and canvas waders. You might have seen Flykuni’s profile, crawling over the rocks in the backcountry sneaking up on that small stream. You may have even read Fishnbanjo’s accounts of the magical powers only possible from a Dickerson. You think it’s cool…. don’t laugh, I’ve done dumber things in the name of cool. DON’T DO IT! These are not good reasons to throw perfectly good money away on something you may not even like! I AM NOT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING AN EXPERT BUT…
Try a few out first. The old excuse of there is none around just doesn’t cut it anymore. Flyshops often have at least one or two. There are people on this Board who fish cane and probably live within driving distance. Trust me, they would love nothing more than to show, show off, bend your ear, coach, help and provide as much as they can towards answering your questions. Attend the shows. I know, you want it now. You’ve gone all these years without one, a few more months isn’t going to make that much difference. Try a few out first! Even if it’s not the weight or length you think you may want, it still gives you an idea about the feel of bamboo. Try a few out first! Try a few out first!
After all this, if you still feel like it may be for you, decide what you’re going to do with it. Like graphite, there is no “all things to all people”, rod. Trout, bass, salt? Be aware. Cane is heavier. Nine-foot rods weigh a ton compared to their graphite cousins. Be also aware, the shorter rods, whether older “classics” or those from contemporary makers, can be more expensive than the longer rods. Feeling strong? People also say cane is slower. While this is somewhat true, some surprisingly “fast” rods, especially from the contemporary makers are available. Eight to nine feet is a good place to start for an older vintage rod. I.E it won’t break your bank account. There has been a trend lately with the contemporary makers to offer rods in the seven to seven and a half-foot range. I have a hunch this is where the new demand is going and why not offer something you know you can sell.
Buy from a dealer, especially if this is your first rod. The good ones have been in business for years. They got that way by working with people like you. Call them up tell them what you think you may be interested in. Try to be as specific as you can; action, length, what you plan on doing with it. If this is your first rod, don’t worry about specifying tapers. Tell them what you like to fish. They’ll do the rest. They actually enjoy walking you through this. Good ones give you at least a three-day trial period, no questions asked. Bargains…. you just got one. Someone put you into a rod you’re almost certain to be happy with. Used rods from contemporary makers can often be had cheaper than those brand new. Another plus is there is no waiting period. “Classic” rods can also be had at a good price, especially in the longer lengths. You don’t need a Leonard your first time out. Older production rods, South Bends, Heddons, Grangers, Orvis, can all be had for a price equal too or less than a premium graphite rod. Avoid those with more than an inch off a tip. The action just isn’t the same as originally intended. Contemporary builders can be found at a dealer as they often carry an offering from many of the better or well-known ones. Action? The older production rods tend to be slower with South Bend and Heddon being slow to medium, Orvis medium and Granger a little on the fast side for bamboo. The newer makers tend to be medium to faster. These are general terms though. Montagues, Kingfishers, and rods in a box, AKA, Japan, I tend to stay away from as a rule.
There may be some good ones out there but usually it may be the equivalent of a Wal-Mart graphite. Some work, some don’t. Price? Realistically figure on spending $350.00 to $700.00. Price does not necessarily equal quality.Fish it! This is your first bamboo. You’re not collecting… yet. Don’t buy something you’ll be afraid to use. One of the nice things about bamboo is if you break it, it can usually be fixed. Nice to have two tips though when this happens. Figure on another reel. Bamboo tends to be heavier and there is a good chance your existing reel may be too light. Figure on new line and backing too. You just bought this older Pflueger Medalist 1495 for $45.00 and chances are, it’s the only one you have. It can be a drag swapping lines from reel to reel. Lines are a crapshoot. Many cane owners like double taper lines. Keep in mind the older rods were built with smaller guides so this may be the reason. Chances are, if you own one or two lines around your favorite weight, you’ll find something that fits.
Dealers. Here are only a very few. To my knowledge, they have been around quite awhile and are worth talking too.
Carmine Lisella
Wow. Thanks, guys. That is a TON of information.
Couple of thoughts rumbling around in my head…
Zach – on rod length – I had an 8′ 3wt for the park (Sage XP, about as far from ‘boo as you can get) and went to a 7’ 6″ 3wt (Sage SLT). There are times when I wish I had that 6″ back. Maybe it’s just me.
Are there any shops in say TN, GA, or NC that might have a good selection of bamboo rods?
Bo Cash runs Table Rock Angler near Morganton, NC.
Abe you’re in for a long, diffuse and confusing ride.
If anything is confusing, then it’s the bamboo fly rod scene. For a beginner there is almost no way to avoid the trial-and-error path and it will cost you money. What you like in the beginning in terms of taper/action, length, cosmetics, maker, etc. WILL change after a while due to gathering more info, reading about them, casting them, talking about boo with other guys and personal preference. And this can and probably will be a costly ride.
Not trying to scare you, but you have to keep your common sense. Unless you have unlimited resources…
The Classic forum Zach mentioned is THE best place to be for bamboo rod info.
Good luck!
Jay
PS. Did I mention bamboo can be addictive? 😀
1) But on smaller streams, would bamboo limit my ability to throw a dry/dropper rig?
2) Are 4wt bamboo rods pushing the lower limit of what the material should be used for?
3) What about length? I am coming to prefer a slightly longer (i.e. 8 ft) rod for the park in case I need to nymph a bit. Should I just limit my bamboo fishing to dries only and go with a shorter rod?
My answer would be:
1) bamboo is not the delicate material as being whimsy and all. Bamboo is REALLY tough, but it won’t handle abuse. Bamboo will certainly throw double rigs, be two (weighted) nymphs or a hopper-dropper rig. It will depend on the taper/action of the rod, line weight and not to forget your casting abilities.
I fish 90% with heavily weighted double rigged nymphs and have a blast!
2) Guess so. Again not because of the material being weak, more that it will handle abuse not so well. And unless you fish in small mountain streams for little brookies (that’s what these light rods are made for and which will be fine) you will probably put too much stress on these delicate rods when fishing in rivers with large trouts etc. You will end up with tip sets eventually.
3) It’s pretty funny how creative one gets when fishing with short rods, say 7 – 7.5 ft length which are VERY common with bamboo. I mean I fish with nymphs and I prefer high sticking a lot of the time. Go figure!
Rods above 7.5ft will get heavy in hand pretty fast. It’s not going to get you tired or something, but when compared to graphite you will feel it. Hollow built rods will get you a long way with longer rods. Some makers use the technique, many don’t.
Most hardcore bamboo fishermen won’t be bothered with it.
Me?… Hmm.. I think I’ll stay with the 7ft to 7.5ft rods I think.Jay
…And this can and probably will be a costly ride.
Not trying to scare you, but you have to keep your common sense. Unless you have unlimited resources…
PS. Did I mention bamboo can be addictive? 😀
Heh.
Abe,
As the owner of the Classic Fly Rod Forum, welcome. As a bamboo fisher I would offer the following advice, see if there will be any rod maker or bamboo gathering where casting old and new rods is the theme. There’s no better way to learn but to get the experience although lawn casting will only give you a small piece of the puzzle that only really fishing a rod will accomplish. Just don’t too surprised at having more questions after you do but believe me none of them will be stupid!Fishnbanjo – Thank you for the welcome.
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