What advice would you give to someone looking to pick up their first bamboo rod... on a budget?
DSFlyfishing
DSFlyfishing
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First Bamboo
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 DSFlyman |
First Bamboo |
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Posts: 2 02/12/2009 18:33 |
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kimk |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 617 02/12/2009 19:09 |
My advice -- Run away, run away, run away. Your "first" bamboo -- sure -- like your first cigarette, your first taste of strong drink, or the first
time in the back seat of a Chevy. But don't worry -- you can stop any time you want too.
The best advice I can give you is to match the rod to the water and type of fishing you do. If you are a dry fly purist and you fish small freestone streams, your best choices would be quite different from the the fellow who throws big bombers and streamers on waters that need the long cast. Then there is the whole bass or steelhead and salmon thing. I think of it as selecting the right tool for the job. There is an advantage to this approach. As you become more specific about matching the right rod to the mission, you find a need for more, different rods to meet other missions. This provides the "need" for another rod purchase. And remember, a bamboo rod really needs to be fished with a classic reel. AgMD |
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cwood |
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Posts: 519 02/12/2009 19:37 |
Decide how much money you're willing to spend, check sites and get catalogues from dealers to see what sort of rod you can get for that amount, chat with
those dealers (or makers if you think you can afford a new rod built to your specifications), and buy a rod. Alternatively, go to a rod gathering and try
some tapers; this may or may not be an option depending on where you live. You need to figure out if this is going to be a specialty rod or an all-around rod.
Then just make the plunge. Chatting with a reputable dealer may be a good idea since you mentioned wanting something fairly inexpensive. Inexpensive can mean
different things to different folks, but if you have 600-1000 to spend there a lot of good deals out there right now. Good luck.
Cwood |
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gt05254 |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 393 02/12/2009 19:44 |
I heartily agree with kimk and cwood, and would only add: CAST WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO BUY! (before you buy it - or at least as close a duplicate as can be
found. They are all going to be a little different, anyway).
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Rolf Jacobsen |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 2094 02/12/2009 19:50 The COOLER |
I recommend that you run like the wind away from this place, perhaps into your
spouse's arms and tell them you have looked the devil himself square in the eyes. Tell them that those eyes were deep, and black, and close together and
for a moment, maybe just a split second, you were tempted; in fact, very tempted to hang with the devil and his hexagonal carrying ilk until a brave soul, name
of "fishnbanjo", broke with the devils ranks and pointed you in the direction of salvation, saying "Do not come down this cursed split cane path
again, for it has the power to drain you of all your earthly wealth and perhaps even your soul". So hold on tight my child, they may be your only hope,
for the power of the split cane is strong and has lured many a good person to it with its cachet.........
Fishnbanjo Brook Trout are God's way of reminding us everything is going to be alright. |
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fisherman911 |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 87 02/12/2009 19:52 |
I would suggest an Orvis Impregnated rod, either a 7.5 2/2 6wt which will fish a 5 just fine or an 8' 2/2 7 wt which is really a 6 wt. Nice forgiving
action, and pretty much bullet proof. In this economy you should be able to find one in the $500 range + or - range in very good condition. In my opinion
early serial #, under 10.000, are best.
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pvansch1 |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 4341 02/12/2009 20:00 Moderator |
My name is Pete, I'm a cane addict, I'm addited to fishing bamboo, what I can't to buy I try and build.
It's a bad habit, one that won't go away. Someone once tried to start a twelve step program for us, but it didn't work. 
Now that all these guys have scared the crap out of you. Where and what type of fishing are you planning on doing with this first bamboo fly rod? Small Streams, medium, large rivers? What graphite rods are you used to? Action wise? There are plenty of rods available for the budget minded. Pete
"Listen to the river sing sweet songs to rock my soul" Grateful Dead
Last Edited By: pvansch1 02/12/2009 20:03.
Edited 1 time.
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gt05254 |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 395 02/12/2009 20:19 |
Think Orvis Madison.
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Rolf Jacobsen |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 2095 02/12/2009 21:04 The COOLER |
Blitzen Rod Company.
Brook Trout are God's way of reminding us everything is going to be alright. |
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cutthroattroutnm |
Avoid "Parabolic" tapers like the plague | #9 | ||
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Posts: 17 02/12/2009 21:40 |
Under NO circumstances buy anything that has an action described as "parabolic". Buy something that has a medium fast to fast progressive taper,
especially if have only fished graphite for your previous fishing career. Also avoid rods over 8' in length, at least for your first rod. They'll
feel like clubs compared to graphite. Focus around 7'6", and buy something used to get the best value.
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xbuckeye |
First bamboo | #10 | ||
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Posts: 22 02/12/2009 22:10 |
Like others have said, welcome to an addicting hobby. You need to decide what kind of fishing you plan to do with it. Small mountain stream, large rivers,
lakes, large trout or salmon, bass, etc. They all can require different rod sizes and weights.
I do mostly small NC mountain stream fishing for trout in the 8-20" range, mostly on the smaller end of this scale. I have several bamboo rods from vintage 3-7 weight, most very inexpensive, and I enjoy fishing them all. But, the one I use most is a cusom built 6'10" small stream from Ralph Acker in North Carolina. http://www.rackerbambooro...t=Custom%20Small%20Stream He makes his rods from older rods that he reclaims the bamboo from. The great part is they are very inexpensive and are well done. This is a great way to try bamboo without investing a lot of $ up front. If you find you enjoy fishing with cane, you can then shop for that Orvis, Heddon, Granger, etc. and spend more $. But then again, you might like Ralph's rods and buy another . What ever you decide, enjoy, and good luck. Andy |
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DSFlyman |
#11 | |||
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Posts: 3 02/13/2009 02:24 |
Yeah, I realized not long after starting this topic that I should have been more specific. Most of my graphite fishing is done on a 4 weight in small to medium
streams. The rod action is moderate/fast.
thanks for so many great suggestions. I expect in a couple weeks after this stimulus package saves us from armaggedon, those $500 deals will be gone as they will have been snapped up and people try to make a profit at post 9/11 - pre economic meltdown prices. Sarcastic musings aside, I hope this helps bringing in suggestions (budget is king) DSFlyfishing
Last Edited By: DSFlyman 02/13/2009 07:32.
Edited 1 time.
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sharps4590 |
#12 | |||
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Posts: 105 02/15/2009 08:34 |
Fly fishing isn't called "the benign addiction" without good reason.....but you probably already know that....and cane is worse.
The Orvis Madison was mentioned and I felt gratified and justified by that. Mine is also in the 8000 range so I felt even better!!! An Orvis Madison, 7' 6", 2/1 was my first rod and I use it probably 50/50 with a South Bend 323. They're impregnated which makes them darn near bullet proof and I would recommend one highly. If memory serves me correctly I believe I gave $500.00 for mine 5-6 years ago and it was in nearly new condition. My fishing is nearly all in our smaller Ozark creeks and spring creeks and the rod has worked wonderfully for me. Vic |
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freestoner.fiberglassflyro... |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 92 02/15/2009 09:00 |
"the benign addiction"
Oh boy...the syndrome has been named, has it? I wonder if it's in the psychiatric diagnostic manual yet. Really, welcome aboard, DSFlyman. We're here to protect each other from the people in the white coats, with the nets. Not only will we hide you out if need be, but we'll teach you the tricks of the game, like having your purchases delivered to the office. |
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