I’m posting a few photos from my latest rod work. I’ve been working on a 9′ 6wt fly rod for my sister-in-law, Gina. She needed a stronger rod for heading out West this year. The rod features a Struble nickel silver reel seat with burl madrone insert, nickel silver winding check, red-banded agate stripping guide, rose and silver silk windings, and a grizzly hackle and lady amherst pheasant feather inlay. You can see the feather inlay below. It’s my first one. Nothing fancy. I typically like the simpler ones anyway. I didn’t have any feathers to match the rose color scheme, so I reckoned a simple black and silver inlay pattern would look classy. I like it so far. Everything is color-preserved and ready for epoxy.
Feather inlay on Gina's rod. Grizzly and lady amherst feathers.
This is the entire handle area on Gina's rod.
The distress comes from the purchase of my first bamboo rod! Yes, I finally joined the dark side, figuring the nation’s economy was in trouble, and I might as well do my part. Hasta la vista, stimulus check (and I haven’t even got it yet)! You can see photos of the rod below. It’s a 9′ Granger Aristocrat, bought off a gentleman in Colorado. It being 9′ and therefore heavier, I was able to get it for a good price, and it’s in great shape. I’m going to call it a 6wt because that’s what I’m casting on it, a 6wt DT Cortland Peach. I went out for a first casting session in the yard today (Sunday). I wondered at first how it would feel. You know? The whole aura surrounding bamboo rods, and this would be my first time casting one. Well, once I took it out of the tube and put it together, I found I was just holding a fishing pole. A pretty one, a cool one, but still just a fishing pole. I’m more than a little puzzled, but I cast it better than most of my graphite rods. I thought I’d have to go through a learning curve to figure out the action. My loops were tight and controlled. The line landed softly on the ground with each cast, whereas with graphite I often punch the line into the ground (or water). Not only that, but I was getting great distance from it, just as much as with my normal 6 wt graphite. Maybe I was just on today, but the thing is, I’m never on. I’m not much of a caster. I think I tend to “jerk” faster graphite rods which translates into an ugly line path. With the bamboo today, the line traveled easily in graceful loops. Maybe I was made for slower rods. Up till now, I always cast best with an old, cheap graphite rod that’s slower than my more expensive rods. With the bamboo rod, I was even able to toss a few roll casts in the yard without the help of water resistance! Never could do that with my graphites. I can’t wait to get it out on the water. Why is this distressing? Because I’m liking it too much. I see myself and money parting ways far too often in my future.
Granger bamboo rod with practice fly.
Another shot of the rod.
Stripping guide on the Granger rod. This thing is tiny, probably meant for a silk line. I'll have to see if I can accommodate it.
Take care,
Nathan
If you ever need someone to babysit the bamboo stick for ya….let me know! I should be getting in a Tiger Eye blank sometime this week. I am interested to see how it compares to the other rods we have built.
Nathan,
That’s a nice looking cane rod. The graphite rod is very nice as well, and artfully done, but the color of the Granger is enough to require a lobster bib, or in Insane’s case, a dropcloth.
Insane,
I’m going to send a nice Flor cork grip for your next rod, if you don’t mind a slim cigar shape.
Stay dry,
Reed
Reed,
Don’t get Hawgdaddy started on me needing any kind of bib….it’s a long story, but let’s just say the TVangler group isn’t allowed to eat at the #1 China Buffet anymore!
BTW, that grip would look awesome! Originally I debated between using a cigar or reverse half wells. I think the cigar grip looks very traditional, which is what I am looking for. Of course, my rod will hold nothing to the Granger Hawgdaddy now possesses. Yes, I admit…I am jealous. Maybe one day when I win the lottery, then I too will join the bamboo club. Wait a minute….I did buy some bamboo bed sheets….does that count?
Good to hear from you Reed!
God Bless,
Insane
Glad to see you graduated from the GI Joe sheets.
Hey, those are still the backup…
Nathan,
Welcome to the bamboo subculture. Your Granger is very cool, but it’s at the outer limits of the bamboo sweet spot. Bamboo rods are at the top of their game as 7 to 7.5 foot 4 and 5wt rods. Before you buy another one, look up a rod maker in your area and cast a few contemporary bamboo rods. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. You might even want to consider making bamboo rods. Check out the rod making links on my blog if you’re interested.
Woo pig…
David
David,
Welcome to the site! I’ve long had your blog listed in our blogroll. I used to keep up with it regularly, before all Blogspot sites were blocked by my work place. I’m certainly interested in building bamboo rods. I’m currently collecting the tools to do so. That’s going slowly, but it’s going. I was actually looking for a rod 8′ or 8.5′ when I found the nine footer. I had trouble finding something shorter that I could afford. Since I bought mine, however, I’ve seen several for sale that I could have bought. Such is my luck. Still, I love my rod. Took it fishing for the first time this weekend. I cast it all day with no problems with the weight. Cast like a dream as long as the wind wasn’t blowing. Not so well when it was, but that’s my fault. I can’t cast in wind for spit. I’m sure to own a wide range of cane rods some day. Take care,
hawgdaddy