First Bamboo rod

Re: First Bamboo rod

feeds@yuku.com (Boris) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 06:35:32 GMT

Hi Richard,

I've cast the DeGere "fast" on grass and water on several ocassions. I haven't fished with it but IMHO it's a fantastic taper - a dry fly rod that could be a good all rounder - I was able to cast it in close and out to 60' no trouble with the right line on it. It felt crisp and responsive.

In fact I liked it so much I went and ordered one as my first bamboo rod. After casting several rods and narrowing it down to two I liked which were...

Re: First Bamboo rod

feeds@yuku.com (gaddis) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:58:23 GMT

Well Richard I think you did very well. You've got my two personal favorite bamboo rods. On the lighter rod my favorite line is a Scientific Anglers Air Cel Supreme 2 in DT5F. Same line on the other rod in DT6F.

An Orvis CFO IV matches well with the 8' 4 3/8 oz Battenkill, as does a Pflueger Medalist 1494 (or an Orvis Madison 6/7, same reel).

Re: First Bamboo rod

feeds@yuku.com (tedgolden) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:53:57 GMT

1965 Orvis Battenkill 8' 2/2 4/38oz HCH (7) for larger nymphs and small streamers. What would be the ideal line for this rod?
A WF 6 or WF7 will work well. If you want to experiment a bit, try a Triangle Taper 6 (formerly 6/7). Very versatile rod.

Re: First Bamboo rod

feeds@yuku.com (Manistee Man) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:56:27 GMT

I have owned and fished the 7 1/2ft -3 7/8oz rod (SN 46832) since summer of 1967. I got married that summer. About a month after our wedding my wife saw me drooling over the Orvis catalog and invited me to buy one for myself. I've had both the wife and the rod since. I wouldn't trade either. Unfortunately, my wife never invited me to buy any more rods. I love the rod. Several other Orvises crept in over the years. I also own the 8ft - 4 3/8 oz, and the 8 1/2ft - 5 1/8 oz....

Re: First Bamboo rod

feeds@yuku.com (Richard) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:22:00 GMT

Well, I went ahead and purchased a beautiful 1969 Orvis Battenkill 7'6" 2/2, 3 7/8 oz HDG (6) as my first bamboo rod. It looks as if it was never fished, or perhaps very, very little. I feel the $650.00, including shipping and insurance was a very good deal. All serial numbers match including the rod tub label that's in very nice condition. Now the question to the list is what would be the recommended line weight and type. I have casted a 5wt SA WF-F and it felt very nice,...

Re: First Bamboo rod

feeds@yuku.com (Pete in Vermont) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:36:33 GMT

In think the CFO is one of the finest reels Orvis ever produced. It was designed for them by Stan Bogdan many years ago and he now gets $1500 for the reels he and his son build and there is a 2 to 3 year wait. I have a CFO III Disc now (recently upgrading a 20 year old CFO III) and I like it a lot. Also the right size in a Hardy would be the Perfect 3 1/8 or the 3-inch St. George (which are hard to find, including the new commemorative version they built a couple of years ago in limited...

Re: First Bamboo rod

feeds@yuku.com (PA Limestoner) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 10:13:02 GMT

Your choice of reel should take into consideration if you want a left hand or right hand retrieve. Many of us who are right handed prefer a left hand wind, because we tend to turn the rod upside down to bring in fish to help equalize stresses on delicate tip sections and hopefully avoid sets. Reeling in upside down is easier while using one's dominant hand. Many Hardy reels are rare in a left hand set up (those with a ring line guard) and their prices are at a premium. For a classic look,...

Re: First Bamboo rod

feeds@yuku.com (Richard) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 10:12:40 GMT

Gaddis,

That's great. I was afraid it may be a little too light for the Battenkill. I have a nice CFO III I purchased as a youngster with money made from mowing lawns during the summer. At that point in my life it was the most expensive thing I had ever purchased, at $110.00. Now if I can find someplace to purchase a Wolf TT 5wt...

Re: First Bamboo rod

feeds@yuku.com (gaddis) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 09:48:04 GMT

An Orvis CFO III is a good match. That's what I use on mine. I'm sure an equivalently-sized Hardy would be great as well.

Re: First Bamboo rod

feeds@yuku.com (Richard) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 08:23:53 GMT

Well, I bought the 1969 Orvis Battenkill 7'6" 2/2 HDG (6) for $650.00. Perhaps a little more than most would have paid, but it is in really nice condition, or at least it seems from the photos. I will provide an update once I return from Afghanistan later this month and cast it in the pond nextdoor. Now to find a Lee Wolf TT 5DT line and I will be set. Any recommendations where I can find some?

Additionally, what reel(s) would you recommended for this rod? I was...

Re: First Bamboo rod

feeds@yuku.com (Pete in Vermont) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:18:42 GMT

WatercolorMan wrote:
#5 & it will last a lifetime

I agree--the Orvis 7-6 Battenkill is the best choice. I've owned several Orvis rods over the years and still have one tucked away. I prefer the varnished rod over the impregnated Orvis but that process does protect the rod and they are good rods (but like a lot of good stuff you pay $400 or so extra for the Orvis name. I was fishing the Battenkill two...

Re: First Bamboo rod

feeds@yuku.com (WatercolorMan) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 03:42:03 GMT

#5 & it will last a lifetime

Re: First Bamboo rod

feeds@yuku.com (Slate Drake 9) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:55:33 GMT

I only have hands on experiences with the Orvis rods on your list, so I can't compare them to the others. In my opinion, the 7' Deluxe is the best of them. I have cast the 6'6", 7' and 7'6" Deluxe and fell in love with the 7 footer, but the others are really nice and for the right price I'll get them too. I fish 3 different lines on mine, depending on what I'm doing. Up close I throw either a 5DT or 5WF Longbelly. When I know I'm going to be...

Re: First Bamboo rod

feeds@yuku.com (czkid) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:39:56 GMT

The Far and Fine is the "new" version of the Battenkill. It tends to be faster than the old Battenkills and much lighter in color. The newer rods from Orvis just don't seem to have the "collector value" as the old ones do.... Other than that, no problem.

Ralph

Re: First Bamboo rod

feeds@yuku.com (FrankB) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:16:44 GMT

There is a new (but about 10 yr old) Orvis Adirondack 7.5 5wt with 2 tips in the Classified forum. It might be on the 2nd page.
I don't know the seller, but did bid on it when it was on the auction site, and he has excellent feedback. The rod looks beautiful
in the pics, and the price isn't too much higher than a Critchfield.....

Re: First Bamboo rod

feeds@yuku.com (Richard) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 10:48:57 GMT

Hello,

What is the difference between the Orvis Battenkill 7.5' 2/2 for a 5wt line and the Orvis "Far and Fine" 7.5' 2/2 for a 5wt line? Is it the year they were offered as one is rather new and the other is from the mid 60's. Is one a special model offered for only a short time? Just more questions to help guide me in the right direction for that all-around first trout cane rod. Thanks for all your help.

Best wishes, Richard

Re: First Bamboo rod

feeds@yuku.com (gaddis) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:58:15 GMT

Of the rods on your list, I have only fished the Battenkill. I've been happily fishing it in the Catskills and Adirondacks the past three days. I can't compare it to the others, but I don't think you can go wrong with this rod. With a DT5, I think it's perfect.

Re: First Bamboo rod

feeds@yuku.com (czkid) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 10:12:31 GMT

Just my personal prejudice showing, but I agree with Tiptop on the 7'6" routine. The Far & Fine will be a bit faster than the Battenkill (all things being equal), and the Perfectionist will be a good choice as well. Between those three I would let price be my guide if there is a wild difference between them. If there is no major differential then the impregnation factor might push me in the direction of an Orvis as they tend to be "bulletproof".

Ralph

Re: First Bamboo rod

feeds@yuku.com (tiptop) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 08:38:43 GMT

Richard -- One thing comes to mind when I see your list and that's rod length. I think a 7.5' rod will be more versatile than a 7'. I fish a lot of small streams in WV and a 7' rod is a good choice for some of them, but I choose a 7' rod that loads up close for very short casts -- in other words, not a real fast action rod for in close work which a lot of those brookie streams require. Most of those streams you can use a 7.5' rod just as well and it will be better...

First Bamboo rod

feeds@yuku.com (Richard) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 08:24:49 GMT

Hello,

I am quickly finding out this is a wonderful list of very friendly and knowledgeable cane enthusiasts. I recently posted a message concerning a Critchfiled rod and received several wonder emails, both on list and private via email. In my ever increasing search for my first bamboo rod to fish the rivers of western Virginia I have found several to my liking and within my budget. Some more expensive and at the top of my price range. All are used, but some are much older...