If you had to choose just one...

Para_Adams

Para_Adams

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OK, we generally own far too many bamboo rods, or maybe never enough. So, if you had to choose just one to keep, which would it be? I think mine would be this 8-1/2' Heddon #60. Restored by the incomparable Scott Whitman and with the smoothest, capable six weight action you could ever hope to cast, its my favorite to fish. And its also by far my favorite to gaze at, hanging on the wall above our fireplace when not being fished. What's yours?
 
I’d have to choose a Granger 8642 in pretty much any of the available grades they were made in. An all around rod that can seem to do it all, I probably fish it more than any of the other rods I own.

Out of the ones I own, I’d probably keep the W&M Granger “Favorite” just because all those intermediate wraps are so pretty!

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My 8' 6wt Cortland 444 Ltd and matching multiplier reel is a great all around setup. Nice for fishing a cast of three flies in the river, and covers a lake well too.
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Greg Armstrong said:
I’d have to choose a Granger 8642 in pretty much any of the available grades they were made in. An all around rod that can seem to do it all, I probably fish it more than any of the other rods I own.

Out of the ones I own, I’d probably keep the W&M Granger “Favorite” just because all those intermediate wraps are so pretty!

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Sweet rod Greg!
 
It is patterned after a rod that I already have, designed and built by Jerry Foster.

All I did was convert it from the original octagon to a hex also bumped it up to a 5wt . Also I will use a different kind of hollowing technique.

Some rod makers would make those changes and then claim design credit but I think thats nonsense that just shows a lack of understanding about what all is involved in designing an original rod.
 
I got a beat up Bamboo fly rod from Capt Insano this early spring. I had Bambooflyguy restore it. It sits in a case and I have not gotten out to fish it. I'm going to try to get out soon and to hell with my falling down. I'll just try to stay upright. Maybe next week. My wife is always tell me to go take a drive. I think I'll take that advice.
 
Greg Armstrong said:
I’d have to choose a Granger 8642 in pretty much any of the available grades they were made in. An all around rod that can seem to do it all, I probably fish it more than any of the other rods I own.

Out of the ones I own, I’d probably keep the W&M Granger “Favorite” just because all those intermediate wraps are so pretty!

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Ditto. The 8642 has always been my favorite rod.
 
Salmo_g said:
If I could only keep one, it would probably be the bamboo rod that I fish most, a Peter McVey 8' 5 wt. It's hollow built, so lighter and faster than most solid built rods. It's easy to cast and to fish.
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I met McVey back in the early 90's when staying for a night at Corbett Lake on our way back from Banff. His bamboo rods were works of art and his resort was wonderful. I was in Victoria BC recently and visited Russell's which is an outdoor and fly fishing store (which sells polar bear hair..shhhh...) and they were selling a book about Peter McVey. Very cool to see.
 
Cliff said:
And a Phillipson is No. 2 on my list. Must be a Colorado thing.:)
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Some day I'll do a bamboo post titled eight and a half feet. The ideal bamboo rod length for my western fishing. The Granger 8642 and the Phillipson 8'6" 5 weights are incredibly versatile rods and a good values. A couple years ago I visited Montana with my Granger 8642. Used it to throw dries on a small creek, swing soft hackles in Clarks Fork riffles...
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and sight fish a size 18 pheasant tail nymph for picky rainbows on a spring fed pond.
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