Buying your first Bamboo rod

flybill

flybill

Legend and Spey Jedi!
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There have been a few recent posts, where people have considered a bamboo rod and been concerned about the price, or about being careful with your new rod!

I started this process, about 10 years ago, and went through the same thing. I found a "deal" online for a Headwaters rod, about $200 on sale. It is a Chinese made blank, but was in my price range so I ordered it and gave it a try! I still love it to this day and it's a 7'6" rod, a 4/5 wt.

I had a small reel for it and a few 5wt lines laying around. So it was very reasonably priced for me! I had cast many boo rods, many expensive and rare ones, and seen amazing stuff working at Orvis.

Bamboo is tough too! I still am very careful, with all of the rods that I own, but it's tougher than graphite, and a blast to fish! I recommend getting a 7'6" or 8' rod to start. A nice click paw reel or whatever you have, and a dry line to match!

Budget? It's whatever you can afford or wish to spend, but it doesn't have to be expensive. The hard part with buying a used rod is that there is a lot of junk out there. So figuring it out can be challenging, however I got all sorts of recommendations on what to look for or offers from guys who have a large number of rods and were willing to part with one or two!

Fast forward, I now own 5 bamboo rods, one franken rod too. I got a whole bunch of different bamboo pieces and refinished a 9' 5wt. I have fished the "franken rod", but it's more of a wall hanger for me.

I have a few more that I've bought off of gentlemen on the site and they helped me figure out the best rods for me. I love to fish dries, or a dry and a dropper, and used them mainly for trout!

In the spring or summer, we usually have a Bamboo fling, but there's no reason to wait if you want to get one sooner. There are many amazing builder's here locally (Redmond and the Seattle area)! They'll build you something amazing or may have something that's ready to go. I'll let them chime in if they choose too, but the point is there are a ton of options!

My next bamboo will probably be a spey rod (two-hander) or one from one of the local guys!

I'll post some pictures this weekend or check out the Bamboo Fling posts from the past events!

Denwor54

Thread 'Bamboo fling 2025'

Hey guys do we have any thoughts on timing for this year. I have always enjoyed these events and figured it was time to start this conversation.
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FlyBill
 
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Flybill, I'll be interested in what you decide as to bamboo spey. I've got JS Sharpes impregnated bamboo 10', 12', 13' and 14' fly rods. They are amazing values and are spey casting machines. Some people say they are too heavy but I don't find that to be the case, especially with the 12' and 13' Sharpes. My steelhead hooked to landing ratio has gone way up since switching to Sharpes bamboo spey rods. One of the few negatives of the big Sharpes spey rods is that they are three piece so difficult to put on an airplane.

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Dave Westburg said:
Flybill, I'll be interested in what you decide as to bamboo spey. I've got JS Sharpes impregnated bamboo 10', 12', 13' and 14' fly rods. They are amazing values and are spey casting machines. Some people say they are too heavy but I don't find that to be the case, especially with the 12' and 13' Sharpes. My steelhead hooked to landing ratio has gone way up since switching to Sharpes bamboo spey rods. One of the few negatives of the big Sharpes spey rods is that they are three piece so difficult to put on an airplane.

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Most likely I'll have David Reid in Idaho build me a 12'6" or 13' rod. I've talked with him a few times and the wait list is long, but I'm open to others! I'll check out the Sharpes sometime. Bob Clays rods are sweet too! But he isn't building rods anymore and I rarely see them for sale.

I'll let you know what I decide when I'm ready to pull the trigger! Cheers!
 
I’ve recently have plunged into the bamboo rod world and have picked up a hand full of rods both vintage and by newer makers. As flybill pointed out there is a lot of junk out there and being new it is hard to know what is what. I have both scored and burned with purchases on eBay. I recommend from my experience that if you are looking at getting a bamboo rod it is worth buying from a reputable dealer that has evaluated the rod and is representing it properly.
If you follow some of these guys on the forum that are into bamboo they can help you with a purchase as well.
I got the chance to stop by sweetgrass in MT and get a tour from Glen Bracket. Not really a tour but he went through the process of him building a rod at the shop. They make production bamboo rods and there mantra rods are priced close to the cost of premium rods from sage loomis etc. if you have the funds I would absolutely recommend ordering a rod from sweetgrass. I have one and it will let you know how nice a bamboo rod can be at a reasonable price point.
 
Russell said:
I’ve recently have plunged into the bamboo rod world and have picked up a hand full of rods both vintage and by newer makers. As flybill pointed out there is a lot of junk out there and being new it is hard to know what is what. I have both scored and burned with purchases on eBay. I recommend from my experience that if you are looking at getting a bamboo rod it is worth buying from a reputable dealer that has evaluated the rod and is representing it properly.
If you follow some of these guys on the forum that are into bamboo they can help you with a purchase as well.
I got the chance to stop by sweetgrass in MT and get a tour from Glen Bracket. Not really a tour but he went through the process of him building a rod at the shop. They make production bamboo rods and there mantra rods are priced close to the cost of premium rods from sage loomis etc. if you have the funds I would absolutely recommend ordering a rod from sweetgrass. I have one and it will let you know how nice a bamboo rod can be at a reasonable price point.
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I went to Sweetgrass years ago, with Oldman Jim and spent 2 or 3 hours there hanging out and casting a ton of rods. I think Jim was bored after a while. I even got to take home a piece of a blank that didn't make the cut!
 
I have three modern bamboo rods. Two built for me, one from Dennis Stone and one from Olivia Elia. I also picked one up from a friend, can't remember the builder. I picked up a couple of bamboo blanks from Ye old English Shop, that I am happy with. I have several others from Orvis, Garrison and others. I have a bunch of those "junk" rods, some of those Japanese rods that were brought back during the Korean War and low-end American rods. I acquire old rods from friends and such- they know I enjoy bringing them back to life. I am not the person that can tell if a rod is a good one or a bad one. Even at 81, if my financial situation looks good next year, I would like to pick up an Oyster rod. I don't need it I just "want" it. Bamboo can be terminal. 😍
 
jerry said:
I have three modern bamboo rods. Two built for me, one from Dennis Stone and one from Olivia Elia. I also picked one up from a friend, can't remember the builder. I picked up a couple of bamboo blanks from Ye old English Shop, that I am happy with. I have several others from Orvis, Garrison and others. I have a bunch of those "junk" rods, some of those Japanese rods that were brought back during the Korean War and low-end American rods. I acquire old rods from friends and such- they know I enjoy bringing them back to life. I am not the person that can tell if a rod is a good one or a bad one. Even at 81, if my financial situation looks good next year, I would like to pick up an Oyster rod. I don't need it I just "want" it. Bamboo can be terminal. 😍
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Bob Oyster's class down in GA is one I have considered, but after meeting the guys up here, I may build a rod with Mike. It's been a while since we talked about it. I've had to focus on my 81 yo mother and many other issues. I've never cast an Oyster rod, but have heard good things about them! Cheers! Now I want to go and fish, my bamboo rods. Maybe on the Yakima next week! Anyone want to join? Not sure of the day... atm.
 
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I think that if you are looking to buy your first bamboo fly rod, find one that you like the feel and personality of for your first purchase. With bamboo rods you are going to find a whole spectrum of "personalities" in different rods. The best test is to cast the rod before laying down your money. Personally, I like rods from 8'6" and under for my trout fishing on lakes and rivers.

When I've been approached about making a rod for someone, I'll string up about 5 different tapered rods to be able to cast one after another. I'll have them cast and evaluate what they may enjoy casting and making a minimum of mental casting adjustments. By watching the oscillation of the fly line during the cast's delivery it's pretty easy to recognize what rod will best match the casters natural stroke. Lots of oscillations, not good, a nice laid out smooth line is what I want to see. As you go farther down the rabbit hole you'll learn and enjoy adjusting your cast to the rod's personality. It will improve your casting by making you pay more attention to your stroke, speed, acceleration and finish of the cast.

Soon you will be able to understand what's needed to make a bamboo rod that is a very popular taper, cast to its full potential with a couple of small adjustments to your cast.

Mike
 
Excellent tread.
How accurate is statement that if you like to fish 4wt graphite fly rod, to match it you should buy 5wt bamboo? I am looking around to have dedicated dry fly bamboo but I don't want to go and pick something that will be to "big" for smaller rivers.

If you most of the time pick up 5wt rod, should you buy 6wt bamboo? My most frequent dry fly rod is 9ft 4wt.

Thanks in advance for comments
 
You need to find a stiffer action bamboo rod especially for dry flies. No need for heavier line weights, you’re still fishing for the same size trout! I prefer shorter bamboo rods, even for lakes. Any options of casting a few? Too bad you don’t live closer, I’d let you cast any of my 80+ bamboo Hotrodz!
 
Thank you kindly!

Not many people around me have bamboo rods. I did try 5wt 8ft 3 piece and it was on the heavy side. Friend from East Kootenays has an older Orvis 7ft 3wt. I tried it but I didn't want to fish it extensively. I don't want to break older rods. It would be painful process to fix it.

I am leaning towards 5wt 8ft somehow. That is why I wanted to hear from you what is the best approach to determine size of the first bamboo.
 
8’-9’ bamboo rods are heavy, waaay heavier than graphite rods. A two piece 7’ 4wt is what I recommend. Most bamboo rods are way stronger than hollow thin wall plastic rods. Plus most breaks can be fixed. Take a look at Zhus bamboo rods on eBay or Amazon. Made in China….but new, modern glue and inexpensive decent way to get into bamboo! I have several I built from his blanks, good fishing/casting sticks! Any questions I’d be glad to help.
 
A great taper in the 4wt category is the Sir D. The taper was originally created by the late Wayne Cattanach and was slightly modified by Darrel Hayashida thus now called the Sir D. This is a two-piece 7' rod that can easily cast 50' of line. This was the first taper I made, and it was a real winner. Everyone who has cast this taper is impressed. The rod is short enough for small creeks but also can put a fly 60' out sitting in a float tube. I think if you like the 4wt's this would exceed your expectations. And like Steve said bamboo rods are much tougher than graphite or glass.
 
Zoran said:
Thank you kindly!

Not many people around me have bamboo rods. I did try 5wt 8ft 3 piece and it was on the heavy side. Friend from East Kootenays has an older Orvis 7ft 3wt. I tried it but I didn't want to fish it extensively. I don't want to break older rods. It would be painful process to fix it.

I am leaning towards 5wt 8ft somehow. That is why I wanted to hear from you what is the best approach to determine size of the first bamboo.
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Zoran, Have Dennis Stone build you a 8’ 4wt Hollow Storyteller in his original configuration, that works great with a 5wt line. It’s a lighter, smoother, faster action rod than the 4/2 Cascade you had.
 
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