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Post by brookietime on Jan 25, 2006 12:32:51 GMT -5
New to the board. Was wondering what is a good mid priced 3 to 4wt bamboo rod. I have a full flex orvis rod now and want to switch to bamboo. I fish mostly all small streams for brookies. Any help would be appreciated.
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Post by Mark Patenaude on Jan 25, 2006 12:55:55 GMT -5
Give BambooMatt (one of our board members) time to respond. He is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to bamboo.
f-w-f
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Post by AgMD on Jan 25, 2006 18:40:06 GMT -5
Brookietime, My own experience with bamboo is limited to , well older rods. Unfortunatly the light rod didn't come into its own untill it was perfected by Paul Young and popularised by Lee Wulf and Arnold Gingrich. This was just as bamboo was waning and fiberglass was taking over the market. This means that the short light rods were not made in large numbers, and with todays demand for rods of this type, the rods are commanding a good price. So, for bargain hunters/ fixer-uppers such as myself, there aren't many chances to latch on to one. I do lust for a clone of Young's Perfectionist, tho May I recomend : p205.ezboard.com/bclarksclassicflyrodforum This is THE board for all things bamboo. Many of todays makers check in regularly, and lots of users too. Todays makers are building clones of classic tapers, tweeked versions of classic tapers, and rods of their own tapers. From what I understand most of the makers are more than willing to talk to you, and work with you to come up with the rod you really want. Some such as A J Thamer will even sell you a blank with or without ferrules mounted if you choose to finish out the rod yourself. There are lots of excellent choices out there. We are truely in the golden age of bamboo. I probably haven't been much help here, but if there is any thing I can do to help you in your search, just let me know. AgMD |
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Post by FishinCane on Jan 26, 2006 8:44:24 GMT -5
Brookietime, As AgMd stated we are in the golden age of bamboo rods right now.... There are hundreds if not thousands of craftsman and hobbyists making better rods today than were ever made. AgMd pointed you to Clarks site which is an excellent resource. At the Marlborough show this last weekend I saw a rod that wasn't that bad. Elkhorn flyrods who sells mid priced graphite rods and reels as well as a few bamboo rods had some nice offerings. I almost purchased one of there reels... I took a look at the bamboo and for the price it looked pretty good at $499. Have a look at there website www.elkhornflyrods.com. They are most likely Chinese made. If you are willing to pay more (about $800) you can get a rod made here in the US. You could also do what I decided to do... A few years back I took a class on how to build rods. Since then I have built about 2 per year. The way I saw it was I knew just one rod wouldn't be enough for me. I couldn't afford to buy all those rods so why not learn how to make them. As it stands now I have probably spent enough on tools and materials to purchase a nice collection of classic rods but there’s nothing like catching a fish on a rod made with your own hands. Jim |
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Post by brookietime on Jan 26, 2006 11:41:58 GMT -5
Thanks for the info guys. As far as Elkhorn goes I would rather buy something American Made for more money. I was planning on spending about $600. So maybe used will be the way to go. Where would be a good place to start looking?
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Post by AgMD on Jan 26, 2006 18:33:45 GMT -5
Brookietime, I understand the $600 limitation all too well. That is why my arsenal doesn't have anything that is short and light. Used rods of this description are in demand and as basic econmics tells us, that is why the price is high. That said, here are some dealers, brokers, builders that are worth a look. www.ronsrodsandreels.com/www.ricksrods.com/index.htmlwww.davesrods.com/members.aol.com/canerodz/homepage.htmlwww.vfish.net/http://www.thramerrods.com./ All in no particular order or with any personal recomendation. Just looking at all the rods that are out there is guarantied to make your head spin. Also you should monitor the for sale board on Clarks Clasic fly rod forum. You might even post a "looking for" there. As you may know a three day inspection with right to return ( buyer pays shipping both ways) is fairly standard BUT make shure it is understood and ageed to by both parties Something to consider, you could buy a NICE high quality blank and all the parts and pieces and I think you could stay under budget. Golden Witch ( check out their website/catalog) at last years prices had some wicked nice cap and ring reel seats, with wood insert for $49.95. Building your own is not that hard, can be done with tools no more sophisticated than files , sand paper, razorblades and paintbrush, and you can count on myself and the other folks on this board to help you in any way you might need. I believe that Thramer, Mike Brooks, and a few other of the Clarks folks can set you up with as fine a blank as you could ever wish to buy anywhere. Some of the folks there are the true masters of this generation of rod builders. If you would like to speak w/ me, feel free to leave a "message" ( top of the page) and I'll send you my phone #. AgMD |
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Post by brookietime on Jan 27, 2006 14:39:18 GMT -5
Thanks AgMD
I wish I had time to do my own rod. Its hard enough to find time for tying flys. I have two young boys who take up alot of my time right now. But maybe down the road that will be an option. I think for now I will keep my eyes and ears open for something to come around. My father picked up a bamboo fly rod from a friend of his to give to me. I haven't seen it yet. I will be picking it up tomorrow afternoon. Even if its not what I was looking for its a nice start to a collection. Thanks again.
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Post by JoeOverlock on Jan 27, 2006 19:04:21 GMT -5
Your going to have to give us a report on how it casts and what kind of condition it's in.
It's hard not to fall in love with bamboo...
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Post by jlibs on Jan 28, 2006 7:42:19 GMT -5
I'm not a bamboo guy (yet), but I do have several Elkhorn rods (2,3,9 weights) and two elkhorn reels (2 and 9 weights), and I have arranged for many friends to buy elkhorn gear too. I've spoken the the owner who is in Colorado. He's a professional who cares about his customers and his products. Consider giving him a call to talk about the bamboo. He'll give you plenty of time on the phone.
JLIBS
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Post by FishinCane on Jan 28, 2006 15:01:17 GMT -5
jlibs,
I was impressed with the reels Elkhorn had at the Marlborough fishing show. How are they? The one I was looking at was a small trout reel that had a cork drag (looked just like a Ross Evolution).
Jim
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Post by brookietime on Jan 31, 2006 11:34:53 GMT -5
Well the rod my father picked up for me looks like a total loss. Its a 3pc rod, 9ft, wt uknown and maker unknown.
I can only make out the last letter where the name and info was. The rod itself needs alot of work. Plus its feels like a wet noodle when assembled.
I've been looking on the internet for rods but without knowing whats good or junk is making this look like a lost cause at this time. I'm almost thinking it would be best just to get a 2 or 3wt Orvis Superfine or something.
Thanks for the help though guys I appreciate it.
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Post by AgMD on Feb 1, 2006 7:09:26 GMT -5
If you are coming to the N County meeting tonight , perhaps you would bring the rod with you. It would be fun to see what it might be.
AgMD
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