Unknown Bamboo

[mcswny]

I know this is a long shot but I’ll try anyways.

I was given this bamboo rod recently and it has no markings on it. It was given to me not by the original owner, and he didn’t know anything about it. No maker marks, no line weight, nothing. It’s in decent condition (I think—I’ve never actually even touched boo) other than a bit of tip set (does it even matter?). It’s a 9’ 3 piece, and it’s REAL hefty—maybe ~1/2” in diameter in the butt section.

I know this is not a lot of information but maybe the wrappings give it away? Any guess on where to start with line weight? Sure I could try every line I have but maybe based off the diameter of the butt, it would give me a place to start? Not to mention most of my higher weight lines are of the streamer junk throwing variety. For what it’s worth, this isn’t an inquiry about value to sell, I want to fish this thing!

Tim

 

[mcswny]

Welp. I’ll start here

Determining the line weight of a bamboo fly rod.

A good friend and fellow bamboo rod builder (Skip Hosfield) sent this to me. I’m not sure who developed this procedure so I can’t give him/her the credit they deserve…it works qu…

bamboopursuits.com

 

[Dave Westburg]

How many ounces does the rod weigh?

Are there any markings of initials on the reel seat?

 

[mcswny]

How many ounces does the rod weigh?

Are there any markings of initials on the reel seat?

I’ll look in the morning!

 

[Bambooflyguy]

Not sure of the maker....but start with a five wt dry line and go up from there. Just remember to slow your casting stroke way down from plastic rods. Maybe post it on the Classicflyrodforum, they might help.

 

[Canuck from Kansas]

If you have calipers, you can measure the taper and plug it into a program like HexRod (https://www.hexrod.net/) - it will give you a pretty good idea of the rods characteristics/action.

Cheers

 

[clarkman]

Second the Classic Fly Rod Forum suggestion.

 

[mcswny]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Long_Rod_Silvers]

Cool rod sock. I dig it.

 

[Canuck from Kansas]

Is it me, or has the wrapping not been varnished - looks like it has just been wrapped

 

[Bambooflyguy]

I’ve seen those gold colored ferrules before.......

 

[Old Man]

I’ve seen those gold ferrules before.......

I thought they were Brass.

 

[Bambooflyguy]

They’re not 24 carrot gold???

 

[mcswny]

How many ounces does the rod weigh?

Are there any markings of initials on the reel seat?

It weighs 6.75oz and no markings on the reel seat.

 

[mcswny]

Is it me, or has the wrapping not been varnished - looks like it has just been wrapped

they appear to be, albeit, not very thickly? Or its worn down? I don't know. Again, I only have experience with modern factory graphite and glass.

 

[Buzzy]

I wonder if the rod has been rewrapped at some point (maybe when the rod dock was sewn)? The wraps look pristine compared to the cork.

Have fun!

 

[PhilR]

Now you need a good heavy medalist to balance

 

[Dave Westburg]

It weighs 6.75oz and no markings on the reel seat.

At 6.75 ounces it's pretty sturdy. I'm guessing a 7 or 8 weight. I have a 6.5 ounce sharpes that's a 6/7 weight and a 7.2 ounce Sharpes that's a 7 weight

 

[mcswny]

At 6.75 ounces it's pretty sturdy. I'm guessing a 7 or 8 weight. I have a 6.5 ounce sharpes that's a 6/7 weight and a 7.2 ounce Sharpes that's a 7 weight

Thanks for the input Dave!

 

[Bambooflyguy]

Did you get a chance to cast the rod yet?