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Post by hankinsfly on Feb 11, 2017 20:41:07 GMT -6
Well, people, I decided to buy my first ever bamboo fly rod today. I have wanted one for a couple of decades. I bought a Steve Pennington 8' 5-wt from a company called Coldwater Collectibles. I will post pictures when I receive it in the mail. It is a straw colored cane. If anyone fishes bamboo or has any thoughts on bamboo, please share.
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Post by turfdawg on Feb 11, 2017 21:10:59 GMT -6
congrats, always wanted to try one.
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Post by hankinsfly on Feb 11, 2017 21:18:29 GMT -6
Same here. These are on the affordable spectrum of bamboo rods- otherwise, I'd be sticking with the graphite!
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Post by flyfishermann1955 on Feb 11, 2017 21:56:18 GMT -6
PM sent
Thanks- Ken
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Post by greenman on Feb 11, 2017 22:53:17 GMT -6
Hank, Good luck with that and congrats. Let us know how you like it. I have three bamboo rods. Two fly and one casting. I'm two scared to try one for fear of breaking them. LOL. They are over 60 years old.
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Post by flyfishermann1955 on Feb 12, 2017 6:17:22 GMT -6
Greenman, I have a small group of bamboo fly rods. They range in age from 50 - 70+ years old and are mostly from the "blue collar" production rod companies. I fish them regularly. Check your rods out and if they're "sound", you shouldn't worry about using them. More bamboo rods are broken by car doors and ceiling fans than by fishing with them! Make sure the ferrules are tight to the bamboo. Sometimes the old glue can dry out, but you can have the ferrules re-set. You shouldn't hear any clicking when you cast, or feel any movement of the sections. When putting the rod together, make sure the male ferrule is fully seated in the female ferrule (without being forced). You can clean the ferrules with rubbing alcohol. Don't lubricate them with any kind of oil or grease. If you want to learn more, go here: classicflyrodforum.com/forum/ I will try to post some pictures.       Thanks- Ken |
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Post by dannys on Feb 12, 2017 11:13:23 GMT -6
Ken covered it all. I have two Mike Brooks and love fishing them. Enjoy--just remember, no "J" bending; but that's true for most rods.
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Post by hankinsfly on Feb 12, 2017 15:04:38 GMT -6
What is "j-bending"?
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Post by mirvc17 on Feb 12, 2017 17:30:58 GMT -6
My guess is don't let your rod (tip) get bent so much your rod looks like a "J".
Using the butt section and drag is always a better option--less likely to break a rod.
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Post by hankinsfly on Feb 12, 2017 18:20:00 GMT -6
Ken- killer photos!
JP- I thought he was talking about a dance move
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Post by hankinsfly on Feb 12, 2017 18:30:09 GMT -6
 Just occurred to me I could post a pic of the rod from the web site |
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Post by turfdawg on Feb 12, 2017 18:38:40 GMT -6
Just occurred to me I could post a pic of the rod from the web site Nice |
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Post by slim on Feb 12, 2017 23:27:40 GMT -6
A sweet looking rod.
Very nice guide wrappings.
What kind of reel is going on it ?
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Post by hankinsfly on Feb 12, 2017 23:53:21 GMT -6
Slim- not sure yet, but I've been scanning e-bay. It's not a vintage cane rod, so I'm not looking for some cool old Medalist. I don't want high-power either with all the bells and whistles like the Cheeky, the new Lamsons, or the Ross Evolution. It is an American-made rod, so definitely an American or English-made reel. I'm finding some English-made Orvis reels and some older Ross reels, as well as some cool older Lamsons. I also found out that Teton reels is back, American made and at around $120 new. In other words, I have no idea. I also need to put a few lines on it and see how this baby performs.
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Post by troutbum54 on Feb 14, 2017 12:52:01 GMT -6
Maybe a reddington zero reel? Kinda newer but still a click paw reel
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Post by hankinsfly on Feb 14, 2017 13:40:20 GMT -6
Not big on Redington reels. Are they American made?
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Post by troutbum54 on Feb 14, 2017 13:42:41 GMT -6
Probably not, but they are pretty solid. Also check the Ross Colorado LT or the sage click
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Post by hankinsfly on Feb 14, 2017 13:45:54 GMT -6
Also would like everyone to know that handcrafted, American cane is not only in the thousands of dollars price range. These Pennington rods are generally just under $500. I have never come across a bad review on these rods and Mr. Pennington has a few decades of experience in the craft.
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Post by westernbamboo on Feb 14, 2017 14:26:14 GMT -6
I have built Bamboo rods for about three years. Have caught a few 20 inchers on the 4 weights that I built. They are not any better than graphite, just different. A well built bsmboo rod can stand up to most if not all trout fishing situations. Enjoy the slower motion and the different feel. You need to take better care of your bamboo rods than graphite ones. Same issues though- breaking off tips on doors and trees. Watch out, you can repair them but it can get expensive.
Was at BB last Friday using my bamboo and caught 15 or so on small dries and small nymphs. Also caught some on a Tenkara rod. Lots of fun and very challenging.
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Post by jonbo on Feb 14, 2017 14:51:31 GMT -6
Nice, Westernbamboo. I hope to get a chance to fish a bamboo rod some time.
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Post by westernbamboo on Feb 14, 2017 15:17:41 GMT -6
If you see me at BB just ask and I will be glad to let you fish one. Lots of fun.
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Post by hankinsfly on Feb 14, 2017 15:34:12 GMT -6
Westernbamboo- I would like to learn to make bamboo rods. I tie my own flies and think I could really get into splitting and wrapping cane.
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Post by hankinsfly on Feb 15, 2017 12:44:09 GMT -6
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Post by westernbamboo on Feb 15, 2017 15:14:47 GMT -6
If you are serious about making cane rods. Begin by buying two books- Garrison and Carmichael's standard, A Master's Guide to building a Bamboo fly Rod and Wayne Cattanach's Handcrafting Bamboo Fly rods. Should be available on Amazon. Digest these well to see what you are getting into. It is quite a commitment financially (you will end up spending $2,000 for needed equipment, and you will always want more like fly fishing) and time wise (plan on 60 plus hours for you first couple of rods). Google web sites for Bamboo rods and there are several that will give you a good idea of what it takes. I am book and self taught, not the easiest way to begin. You can also take courses at several place around the country (Bill Oyster, ect).
It is great fun, since all my kids are grown I have more time to do this. I sold my first one last fall. You won't make any money doing it but the satisfaction is amazing. I am on my 8th one. Let me know if I can help you. The Bamboo community is more than willing to help you out with advice. They have put up with my crazy questions and continue to do so with lots of patience.
Enjoy!
By the way I have been tying flies for 20 years, building grass/cane rods is quite different but also fun and very satisfying. I am building one for each of my kids and grand kids. I have four kids, three married and 5 grand kids so I have a ways to go. Probably sell some in between.
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Post by turfdawg on Feb 15, 2017 17:05:31 GMT -6
Probably not, but they are pretty solid. Also check the Ross Colorado LT or the sage click I love the new Ross Colorado LT gut I bet it and the Sage would be way too light for the grass rod. |
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