Post by jlibs on Apr 30, 2006 20:41:13 GMT -5
Tradition and mystique of bamboo fishing rods Sports
Sunday, April 30
There was a time when fly fishing rods were predominantly made of bamboo that was imported from the Tonkin area of Southeast Asia. Bamboo was considered the best rod making material available before the advent of telescoping steel rods and later on those made of fiberglass, graphite and boron. Many still claim that even today there is nothing comparable to the qualities of "cane."
You can still purchase a new cane rod, but you have to shell out some serious dollars, and a rod costing $1,500 is just an average rod. Used rods can be reconditioned, but they are not giving them away either. Probable reasons for the high costs are cane availability and the need for the rods to be hand made by true craftsmen. With the opening of the Chinese market, you may be able to purchase one at a more reasonable cost in the future.
Many of the fortunate few who do possess cane rods inherited them from their fathers or grandfathers or picked them up at estate sales. People rarely, if ever, fish with them but rather treat them like family heirlooms, only to be displayed but not used. I have a cane rod and do use it, but only on my first fishing trip in the spring of each year. I like the tradition and nostalgia and I feel a connection with forefathers who long ago fished our rivers with those cane rods.
Fishermen and women who would like to experience the feel of a cane rod but who cannot afford to buy one have a unique opportunity coming up this month.
According to the Berkshire Fly Fishers (BFF) recent newsletter, they are having their May meetings outside for "Bamboo Rod Nights." They plan to have several bamboo rods on hand, some which were made by local fishermen.
People will get the chance to wet the lines and hopefully bend a few rods since the BFF will be meeting on the water. The North County meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 3. They will meet at the Water Street Grill and proceed to the Green River at 6:30 p.m. They will be casting the bamboo rods in the small field at Linier Park and on the Green River.
The South County meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 10, at the public beach area at Lake Mansfield in Great Barrington at 6 p.m., to cast several bamboo rods that some of the members will make available. Owners of bamboo rods are encouraged to bring them along for "show and tell." After casting and getting a feel for the bamboo at Lake Mansfield, the Fly Fishers and guests will caravan to the Barrington Brewery for dinner at 7.
Incidentally, if you are interested in the rich history of fly fishing and bamboo rods, I recommend that you visit the American Museum of Fly Fishing in Manchester, Vt., right next to the Orvis store. There you will have a chance to see bamboo rods which were
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made by the greatest rod makers this country has ever produced.
As long as we are discussing traditions — Happy 100th Birthday to the Dardevle. No, this is not a misspelling and I'm not referring to a flag pole sitter or some stuntman, but rather the Dardevle fishing lure, which was first created by Lou Eppinger in 1906. This lure, especially the red and white one, is perhaps the most successful fishing lure of all time. It has been declared by Field & Stream magazine as the No. 1 fishing lure in the world.
There are many imitations of that lure (319 at last count according to the Eppinger Co.) but the real McCoy is easily recognizable with its logo, a little picture of the devil's head, on each lure. Spoons may not be as popular today as they were in the 1950's and 1960's, but if you were a spin fisherman in that era, chances are you fished with a Dardevle and probably still have it tucked away somewhere in your old tackle box.
The following local waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout during the week of April 24-28: Greenwater Pond in Becket; Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont,and Florida; North Pond in Florida; Berry Pond in Hancock; Town Brook in Lanesborough; Goose Pond in Lee and Tyringham; Laurel Lake in Lee; Yokum Brook in Lenox; Windsor Lake in North Adams; Farmington River and Big Benton Pond in Otis; Onota Lake in Pittsfield; Westfield River in Russell; Stockbridge Bowl in Stockbridge; and Goose Pond in Tyringham.
Tiger Trout were also stocked in Goose Pond, Laurel Lake, Onota Lake, Westfield River, and Stockbridge Bowl.
On May 1, 8, 15, and 22 there will be a basic freshwater fishing class at the Western Gateway Heritage State Park in North Adams. Open to beginning anglers of all ages, this free class is co-sponsored by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and will be taking place from 6-8 p.m. Equipment is provided and MassWildlife's Angler Education Volunteer Instructors will be teaching this free class. To pre-register, contact the Park at (413) 663-6312.
The Tri-State Archery League schedule for the month of May is as follows:
May 7 — Lenox Sportsmen's Club; May 14 — Deer Hill; May 19-21 — Stockbridge Sportsmen's Club Traditional Shoot; May 28 — Cheshire Sportsmen's Club. For more information, contact Rick Lancto (413) 443-5899 or Avid Sports (413) 997-3600.
Comments/questions: Berkwoodsandwaters@adelphia.net Phone/fax (413)637-1818
Sunday, April 30
There was a time when fly fishing rods were predominantly made of bamboo that was imported from the Tonkin area of Southeast Asia. Bamboo was considered the best rod making material available before the advent of telescoping steel rods and later on those made of fiberglass, graphite and boron. Many still claim that even today there is nothing comparable to the qualities of "cane."
You can still purchase a new cane rod, but you have to shell out some serious dollars, and a rod costing $1,500 is just an average rod. Used rods can be reconditioned, but they are not giving them away either. Probable reasons for the high costs are cane availability and the need for the rods to be hand made by true craftsmen. With the opening of the Chinese market, you may be able to purchase one at a more reasonable cost in the future.
Many of the fortunate few who do possess cane rods inherited them from their fathers or grandfathers or picked them up at estate sales. People rarely, if ever, fish with them but rather treat them like family heirlooms, only to be displayed but not used. I have a cane rod and do use it, but only on my first fishing trip in the spring of each year. I like the tradition and nostalgia and I feel a connection with forefathers who long ago fished our rivers with those cane rods.
Fishermen and women who would like to experience the feel of a cane rod but who cannot afford to buy one have a unique opportunity coming up this month.
According to the Berkshire Fly Fishers (BFF) recent newsletter, they are having their May meetings outside for "Bamboo Rod Nights." They plan to have several bamboo rods on hand, some which were made by local fishermen.
People will get the chance to wet the lines and hopefully bend a few rods since the BFF will be meeting on the water. The North County meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 3. They will meet at the Water Street Grill and proceed to the Green River at 6:30 p.m. They will be casting the bamboo rods in the small field at Linier Park and on the Green River.
The South County meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 10, at the public beach area at Lake Mansfield in Great Barrington at 6 p.m., to cast several bamboo rods that some of the members will make available. Owners of bamboo rods are encouraged to bring them along for "show and tell." After casting and getting a feel for the bamboo at Lake Mansfield, the Fly Fishers and guests will caravan to the Barrington Brewery for dinner at 7.
Incidentally, if you are interested in the rich history of fly fishing and bamboo rods, I recommend that you visit the American Museum of Fly Fishing in Manchester, Vt., right next to the Orvis store. There you will have a chance to see bamboo rods which were
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertisement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
made by the greatest rod makers this country has ever produced.
As long as we are discussing traditions — Happy 100th Birthday to the Dardevle. No, this is not a misspelling and I'm not referring to a flag pole sitter or some stuntman, but rather the Dardevle fishing lure, which was first created by Lou Eppinger in 1906. This lure, especially the red and white one, is perhaps the most successful fishing lure of all time. It has been declared by Field & Stream magazine as the No. 1 fishing lure in the world.
There are many imitations of that lure (319 at last count according to the Eppinger Co.) but the real McCoy is easily recognizable with its logo, a little picture of the devil's head, on each lure. Spoons may not be as popular today as they were in the 1950's and 1960's, but if you were a spin fisherman in that era, chances are you fished with a Dardevle and probably still have it tucked away somewhere in your old tackle box.
The following local waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout during the week of April 24-28: Greenwater Pond in Becket; Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont,and Florida; North Pond in Florida; Berry Pond in Hancock; Town Brook in Lanesborough; Goose Pond in Lee and Tyringham; Laurel Lake in Lee; Yokum Brook in Lenox; Windsor Lake in North Adams; Farmington River and Big Benton Pond in Otis; Onota Lake in Pittsfield; Westfield River in Russell; Stockbridge Bowl in Stockbridge; and Goose Pond in Tyringham.
Tiger Trout were also stocked in Goose Pond, Laurel Lake, Onota Lake, Westfield River, and Stockbridge Bowl.
On May 1, 8, 15, and 22 there will be a basic freshwater fishing class at the Western Gateway Heritage State Park in North Adams. Open to beginning anglers of all ages, this free class is co-sponsored by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and will be taking place from 6-8 p.m. Equipment is provided and MassWildlife's Angler Education Volunteer Instructors will be teaching this free class. To pre-register, contact the Park at (413) 663-6312.
The Tri-State Archery League schedule for the month of May is as follows:
May 7 — Lenox Sportsmen's Club; May 14 — Deer Hill; May 19-21 — Stockbridge Sportsmen's Club Traditional Shoot; May 28 — Cheshire Sportsmen's Club. For more information, contact Rick Lancto (413) 443-5899 or Avid Sports (413) 997-3600.
Comments/questions: Berkwoodsandwaters@adelphia.net Phone/fax (413)637-1818