Bamboo vs Graphite

Re: Bamboo vs Graphite

feeds@yuku.com (baetisrodhani) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:02:44 GMT

Pete in Vermont wrote:
The problem of comparing cane to plastic is the same as comparing a rifle to a shotgun or a revolver to an automatic pistol. All four of those firearms "shoot" just as all rods "fish" but they do it in different ways. There really is no adequate comparison between a double-barrel shotgun and a M1911 .45 automatic pistol. Even if there were, you get into the $750 pistol vs. the $4,000...

Re: Bamboo vs Graphite

feeds@yuku.com (darrelll) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:58:40 GMT

Well, graphite (plastic) rods have a valid use...

SW fly fishing... I have a few big Salmon rods such as my Manitou, Gaspe and I might a FE Thomas or some other high end salmon rod that might be used for SW. But, they are all HEAVY!

Several years ago, I bought an 11wt and a 14wt graphite 3 or 4 piece travel blanks to build and a couple super duper gold disc drag SW reels but have yet to try SW Big Game FF yet. I had dreamed of fishing 100 lb Bluefin tunas or even 30lb...

Re: Bamboo vs Graphite

feeds@yuku.com (riverfloggin) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:40:41 GMT

A South Platte trout snapped my bamboo rod right in the middle of the top section. It was most likely my fault but I can't be sure because I was watching the fish not my rod tip. I still landed him though, 18" bulldog of a rainbow.

Re: Bamboo vs Graphite

feeds@yuku.com (OnlyTrout) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:16:44 GMT

FWdB - I count myself in the crowd that thinks bamboo is a superior rod to fish with. I say that because I know that it's easier for me to fish with bamboo - to be more accurate, more delicate, less break offs on the strike. But in no way do I think that makes me or anyone else a "better" fisherman than a graphite user. If fact, in terms of number of fish caught and size, there are hundreds, thousands of graphite users that outfish me, are better insect indentifiers, stream...

Re: Bamboo vs Graphite

feeds@yuku.com (wb4tjh) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:00:51 GMT

I have flyrods made from all three materials, and I love all them. I would hate to limit myself to just one material. They all have their place and specialized use.

Re: Bamboo vs Graphite

feeds@yuku.com (Boo) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:57:19 GMT

if fishing all three glass, grass, and graphite doesn't open your mind at least it makes one versatile. versatility is a good thing.

Re: Bamboo vs Graphite

feeds@yuku.com (BlackHillsBill) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:27:50 GMT

pcg wrote:
Although Spey rods were made for decades from greenheart, then from bamboo & later fiberglass, almost all are made from carbon today--perhaps all are. And the weight differential is dramatic. Because Spey rods take tremendous energy & torque when casting, to the caster weight becomes crucial.

Mojo & karma play a far lesser role when you're driving a 15-foot rod through 180 degree...

Re: Bamboo vs Graphite

feeds@yuku.com (pcg) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 19:18:33 GMT

And there is another wee difference in the two materials, that I've become increasingly conscious of, and that's weight.

I've recently become a Spey rod caster. Although Spey rods were made for decades from greenheart, then from bamboo & later fiberglass, almost all are made from carbon today--perhaps all are. And the weight differential is dramatic. Because Spey rods take tremendous energy & torque when casting, to the caster weight becomes crucial.

...

Re: Bamboo vs Graphite

feeds@yuku.com (cwood) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 18:23:19 GMT

My cane rods are the most fun to me, in both fishing and casting; however, I love my older 8'4" 4 wt. 5 pc. Scott G rod almost as much as anything in my arsenal. I can take it anywhere I trout of pan fish and have an enjoyable experience. It has a nice action, has a lot of memories built in from using it over the years (almost 20 years), and just feels right. It's not my favorite rod, but it is a great rod and far from being clunky. I recently got my first glass rod and it...

Re: Bamboo vs Graphite

feeds@yuku.com (Pete in Vermont) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:02:42 GMT

The problem of comparing cane to plastic is the same as comparing a rifle to a shotgun or a revolver to an automatic pistol. All four of those firearms "shoot" just as all rods "fish" but they do it in different ways. There really is no adequate comparison between a double-barrel shotgun and a M1911 .45 automatic pistol. Even if there were, you get into the $750 pistol vs. the $4,000 sub-compact .45 built from scratch by a guy who has been named "Gunsmith of The...

Re: Bamboo vs Graphite

feeds@yuku.com (BlackHillsBill) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:48:50 GMT

Now, when I die, bury me in my chest-high waders,
Put on my bulging vest, my slouching Stetson hat,
Then heap boron, glass, and graphite pieces across my chest,
So all the bamboo boys will know I went out standing pat.

And of course broad- and open-minded, too,
Another generation still using my old bamboo.

Re: Bamboo vs Graphite

feeds@yuku.com (DrakeBob) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:48:17 GMT

Wilfred, I would never say such a silly thing, so we won't be accusing each other of anything. In fact, some of the most skilled anglers I've ever known were bait fishermen but that's another thread for another time. Maybe I'll introduce it some time next winter when everyone is in a better mood…

Re: Bamboo vs Graphite

feeds@yuku.com (Boo) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:03:46 GMT

I once started off narrow minded fishing only graphite. Then one day, for whatever reason, I bought a bamboo rod. Maybe it was to "experiment" or dabble in the things forsaken [as people did in the '60's and '70's] to become "broad minded" if you will. Later in years, possibly due to nonfulfillment or maybe increased tolerance of bamboo, I broadened my mind once again. This time it was fiberglass. What a rush! I could see and feel things never experienced...

Re: Bamboo vs Graphite

feeds@yuku.com (FWdB) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:50:23 GMT

DrakeBob wrote:
I've read through this post and I can't find anywhere where it's been said that "people who use X are better than people using Y..."

Now, with regard to the second sentence of your post... "And another thing: fish don't break rods, fishermen do." I would agree with you, but I'm afraid you'd then accuse me of saying that some fishermen...

Re: Bamboo vs Graphite

feeds@yuku.com (Flyman615) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:49:22 GMT

Personally, I've always been partial to the classic Orvis Superfine graphite arrows.
And there's not a clunker in my quiver! (Sorry, Dave.)

Re: Bamboo vs Graphite

feeds@yuku.com (DrakeBob) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:40:48 GMT

I scabbard my rapier and stand down. Or... whatever the proper terminology is.

Re: Bamboo vs Graphite

feeds@yuku.com (BlackHillsBill) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:26:33 GMT

Good point, Pat. I'm going to give up kabobs and eat kippers instead.
Just like my Great Uncle BlackHillsSaul, who became the famous
missionary to the Sioux Nation, BlackHillsPaul, once he saw the light.
But (and it's remotely possible I might have mentioned this before) that still
didn't keep Formerly Saul's scalp from being exhibited in the tourist tepee
at Mt. Rushmore by a warrior with graphite arrows.

Yours anyway in the name of...

Re: Bamboo vs Graphite

feeds@yuku.com (pcg) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:01:24 GMT

Ouch. Beware: Blood is spilled even when gentlemen engage in sword fights.

Re: Bamboo vs Graphite

feeds@yuku.com (DrakeBob) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 12:38:28 GMT

FWdB wrote:
Why does this always result in X is better than Y, or even worse: people who use X are better than people using Y?

And another thing: fish don't break rods, fishermen do.

Because debating the relative merits of things is a lot of what we're about here. There's nothing wrong...

Re: Bamboo vs Graphite

feeds@yuku.com (BlackHillsBill) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 12:20:45 GMT

He preached upon "breadth" till it argued him narrow--
The Broad are too broad to define
And of "Truth" until it proclaimed him a Liar--
The Truth never flaunted a Sign--

Of course Emily Dickinson was simply aiming a little
healthy criticism at what came from the pulpits of
her day. But--who knows?--there might even be a
"broader" application, one that includes fly fishermen.

Bamboo vs Graphite

feeds@yuku.com (Joel Anderson) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 13:39:34 GMT

A nice leisurely Saturday...Finished hollowing a butt section and taped it up for gluing later this week; tied a couple dozen flies in preparation for a trip to the Rangeley, Maine area tomorrow; organized some gear; tied some leaders. etc. Then I decided to experiment with a few different lines on my hollow-built Garrison 209e copy. I was amazed how smooth the rod cast with a Cortland Sylk DT4, even though the rod is listed as a 5 weight. Suddenly, it occured to me than I have several...