I've been getting quite a few emails and PMs from people new to fishing bamboo lately. Here is an email I received a few days ago:
"Dr. Todd. My name is _____ and I just started fishing cane rods about a year ago and I love it. I like the idea of fishing vintage rods but I'd really love to have a bamboo rod made for me. So how do I go about deciding who to build my rod? I tried Googling but it left me more confused. There are so many rodmakers. How do I pick one that is right for me? Can you help me?"
So here's what I'm seeking. What advice would you give a first-timer on choosing the right rodmaker for them? What was your experience? It's not like they can go to a local store and pick up a dozen makers and test them side-by-side.
A couple of points. Of course, there's a lot of info left out (which I emailed him about). Things like price, style, taper, wait list, etc. But put yourself in a novice's hands. Before they even know what they want, they have to know what's possible. Here's where your advice can come in helpful to a lot of people new to the board or new to having a custom built bamboo rod.
Second point: DO NOT NAME NAMES. I do NOT want this thread to turn into a promotion for one rodmaker over another. Keep your advice general enough so that we can't "read between the lines." What I'm seeking is some starter info for a first-time buyer. Here was my advice:
1) Have an idea of what you want ahead of time (what kind of rods have you fished? What do you fish for and where do you fish?)
2) Have an idea of how much you are willing to spend by doing some research. (there are a lot of custom rod sites that can help).
3) Pick up the phone and call a rodmaker. All rodmakers I know love to speak to first-timers and have great advice for them.
So what's your advice? How did you choose your first rodmaker (don't mention the name please, keep in general)? Keep in mind a lot of potential first-time buyers come to this site looking for just this kind of guidance. Perhaps you can help them make this decision...
-- Dr. Todd
"Dr. Todd. My name is _____ and I just started fishing cane rods about a year ago and I love it. I like the idea of fishing vintage rods but I'd really love to have a bamboo rod made for me. So how do I go about deciding who to build my rod? I tried Googling but it left me more confused. There are so many rodmakers. How do I pick one that is right for me? Can you help me?"
So here's what I'm seeking. What advice would you give a first-timer on choosing the right rodmaker for them? What was your experience? It's not like they can go to a local store and pick up a dozen makers and test them side-by-side.
A couple of points. Of course, there's a lot of info left out (which I emailed him about). Things like price, style, taper, wait list, etc. But put yourself in a novice's hands. Before they even know what they want, they have to know what's possible. Here's where your advice can come in helpful to a lot of people new to the board or new to having a custom built bamboo rod.
Second point: DO NOT NAME NAMES. I do NOT want this thread to turn into a promotion for one rodmaker over another. Keep your advice general enough so that we can't "read between the lines." What I'm seeking is some starter info for a first-time buyer. Here was my advice:
1) Have an idea of what you want ahead of time (what kind of rods have you fished? What do you fish for and where do you fish?)
2) Have an idea of how much you are willing to spend by doing some research. (there are a lot of custom rod sites that can help).
3) Pick up the phone and call a rodmaker. All rodmakers I know love to speak to first-timers and have great advice for them.
So what's your advice? How did you choose your first rodmaker (don't mention the name please, keep in general)? Keep in mind a lot of potential first-time buyers come to this site looking for just this kind of guidance. Perhaps you can help them make this decision...
-- Dr. Todd
