Bamboo rods

[Rye_Tyler]

For some the rod and reel are like a shovel, just a tool, a means to an end.
For others though, the allure and essence of the rod. The smell of bamboo, cork and glue, the metal finishings, the flex of the taper.
The waters its been and the fish its caught, all lead to something magical. A feeling felt within the soul yet if hard pressed difficult to describe to the uninitiated.

With so many classic and modern makers and tapers, let’s see your rods.

AJ Thramer 8’ 5wt 2//2 DX Grouse Creek

 

[Rye_Tyler]

Modern makers
7’6 5wt 2/2 Dave Cottengim Garrison 206
8’ 5wt 2/2 AJ Thramer DX Grouse Creek
7’9 4wt 2/2 Joe Bradley Pro 13
8’ 4wt 2/2 Dennis Stone Storyteller
7’9 5wt 2/2 Terry Ackland Impregnated

8’ 5wt 4/2 Dennis Stone Cascade
7’6 4wt 4/2 Dennis Stone Gale Creek

 

[Mike Monsos]

These are all my makes, not in any order, Sir D, Dickerson 7613, Para 14, Leonard 50D, Payne 197, The Lufkin, My Own 8645, 7'6" 3 piece, 7'6" 4 piece, Martha Marie. These were the rods I brought to the fling last year for casting. I'm guessing they will show up again if all goes as planned.

 

[jerry]

For some the rod and reel are like a shovel, just a tool, a means to an end.
For others though, the allure and essence of the rod. The smell of bamboo, cork and glue, the metal finishings, the flex of the taper.
The waters its been and the fish its caught, all lead to something magical. A feeling felt within the soul yet if hard pressed difficult to describe to the uninitiated.

With so many classic and modern makers and tapers, let’s see your rods.

AJ Thramer 8’ 5wt 2//2 DX Grouse Creek
View attachment 177516

Judging by your comments you get it. Fishing with bamboo is an art in so many ways. I rebuild old bamboo rods. Not the best at it but I treasure each and every one even though some of them might be considered junk. At our last Christmas party, I donated one as a fund raiser and it was prized by the fellow that won it.

 

[flybill]

For me, bamboo and dry's or a dry and a dropper, just scream fly fishing! I love the slow action of an older rod and the medium action of a modern bamboo rod! The reels, mostly older for me, are so beautiful and with care will outlast me I'm sure!

Hitting classic dry fly water is what I prefer when it's available and the hatch is good. I've spent over 20 years in MT, from Yellowstone to Glacier National Park and most major blue lines on the map. WA has some decent water, with the Yakima being as close to MT as you can get. Hitting the upper Yak for me, is about an hour and a half away and is a great day or half day trip.. usually a full day!

The forks of the Snoqualmie and the upper Sky are great too, you just don't get the prolific hatches, but are a great way to wet a line for a few hours or all day. The Cedar is nice, but I usually head to Eastern WA and get away from the city!

I will put together a picture of my current setups, 5 for now, and I'm building my first with Mike M over the next few months. There is the YOLO thread all about it!

Cheers!
DryFlyBill!

Haha!

 

[mountainlake97]

These are all my makes, not in any order, Sir D, Dickerson 7613, Para 14, Leonard 50D, Payne 197, The Lufkin, My Own 8645, 7'6" 3 piece, 7'6" 4 piece, Martha Marie. These were the rods I brought to the fling last year for casting. I'm guessing they will show up again if all goes as planned.

View attachment 177527View attachment 177528

Nice collection! I love the wood reel seats. Is that burl wood?

 

[poolhopping]

is the 8645 taper from the challenger out of the wright mcgill shop?

 

[Mike Monsos]

The reel seats are Birds Eye Maple with a light gun stock stain and then a spar var final finish.

 

[Mike Monsos]

is the 8645 taper from the challenger out of the wright mcgill shop?

Actually it's a taper I designed, a dual parabolic (I should come up with a better name I guess). The rods action is mostly in the upper half for shorter casts up to about 50', but just when you think the rod has hit it's limit, a secondary taper in the base section kicks in and will launch more line for you. It's a pretty cool taper in my opinion.


Mike