I'm sure you hear this question frequently, but I have browsed parts of the forum and haven't found an answer to what I am going to ask. I am thinking
about purchasing a bamboo rod, however, since I have never used one before I don't want to spend a lot of money on one starting out. What do you think
would be a rod that would be a good introduction to bamboo flyfishing if you would only spend no more than $400. I would us mostly on the White and Norfork
Rivers, but possibly on the occasional bass or bluegill. Is this too much to expect from one rod? Any ideas would be appreciated. As I said before, I am
new to this, so if this is a ridiculous question, let me know.
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new to bamboo
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 epmo |
new to bamboo |
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Posts: 2 12/18/2007 12:14 |
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bulldog1935 |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 4701 12/18/2007 12:21 Bulldog1935 |
In those big tailwaters, I would strongly suggest an 8-1/2' South Bend 3-digit model number: 323, 346, 359. (Not to be confused with a 9') Hope this
helps.
BTW, this means something, friend. These are all-around 5-wt. trout rods.
Last Edited By: bulldog1935 12/18/2007 12:55.
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epmo |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 3 12/18/2007 12:28 |
Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.
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bulldog1935 |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 4702 12/18/2007 12:37 Bulldog1935 |
a VG to EX 323 should be at (or under) $300, and the other models should about $200 (or under).
8-1/2' Heddon 2f (ferrule size = taper) would also get my recommendation - this is more like a 6-wt. rod, and is my choice for bigger fish and bigger water. If you want go a little lighter, an 8' Heddon 1-3/4f is a 4/5-wt. rod and would tip your spending limit just a bit.
Last Edited By: bulldog1935 12/18/2007 12:40.
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epmo |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 4 12/18/2007 12:42 |
Just out of curiosity, you said before to go with an 8 1/2 ft.not 9 ft. Why is this?
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bulldog1935 |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 4703 12/18/2007 12:52 Bulldog1935 |
there is a big difference in both feel and taper between 8-1/2' and 9' rods. The reach that extra 6" gives you is more than offset by the weight
it adds to the rod.
By the time you get down to an 8' rod, the mass doesn't feel too different in hand from a comparable line weight graphite rod. The weight is more noticeable in 8-1/2' but, IMO, everything is working very well here for tailwater trout fishing - dries, wets, nymphs, mending line. If you're not used to it, the initial weight of a 9' cane rod can feel oppressive, and that takes the fun out of fishing it. |
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epmo |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 5 12/18/2007 12:57 |
Thanks again!
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Chip Node |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 472 12/18/2007 13:20 |
Southbend 290 or HI Tonka Prince or Queen are other low cost options that are 7'6" - 7'9". You also may find a one tip rod from Orvis that
may also fit your wallet. Tim
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 Alaric11 |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 31 12/18/2007 13:56 |
You might want to think about upping the Ante just a tad and trying to get something a bit better. I just picked up a Granger "Premier" 9050 (5/ 6wt)
9' for a price in the 600s. I think if you looked for a Granger or Phillipson, or Heddon ---you might find something decent in say a 9' 6wt that would
be quite a good rod. Check out Gierach's Fishing Bamboo (particularly chapters 3 & 5) to get some caveat emptor advice on some of the cheaper vintage rods.
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gbflytyer |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 71 12/18/2007 17:13 |
i have a heddon #13 that is is excellent shape i will sell
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grayghost |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 71 12/18/2007 17:16 |
EPMO
I fish the White and Norfork also..I would consider a Phillipson, non impregnated in the 8 1/2 ft length with two full length tips. This length from this manufacturer is still fairly reasonable, very durable and fairly well built without many extra cosmetics. There are several models however the more common are the Pacemakers and Powerpakt. I line mine with a WF6F and it will handle just about any situation and conditions that you would encounter up there along with not wearing you out after a days fishing. Good luck! Don |
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epmo |
#11 | |||
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Posts: 6 12/18/2007 18:30 |
Thanks for all of the information! I can already tell there is going to be a lot to soak in! Does anyone know of any shops around SE MO that sell older
bamboo rods? I would actually like to put my hands on some. Like I said before, I haven't ever fished with one and I don't know anyone who does own
one. Thanks again for the info. It's all appreciated! gbflytyer, I'm not ignoring you, I'm just still trying to soak it all in. Give me time to
look at up some info. on all of these rods that have been mentioned. If you are interested I'll post my email and you can tell me what you would want for
it. (is it okay for us to post our email on the forum?)
Thanks again, Mark |
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Marshall8 |
for your needs | #12 | ||
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Posts: 637 12/18/2007 18:52 |
I like the idea of an Orvis Battenkill 8' 6/7wt for heavy duty action. They handle much nicer than most of the 8 1/2' rods that do not have the
pedigree of something like the Phillipson, Granger or better rods that would easily stretch your budget. I started out with a less expensive impregnated H-I 8
1/2' 6wt 3/2 and while usable it was far from the "nice" stuff.
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epmo |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 7 12/18/2007 18:59 |
Here's another question that is probably somewhere in this forum, but I will ask anyway. What is the difference in impregnated and I'm assuming one
that is NOT impregnated? Thanks for the info. Marshall8. Let me look at the Battenkills. I don't have any vintage glass rods, but I do own an Orvis
Silverlabel, my first fly rod to buy, and have fished a T3 that I really liked.
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tedgolden |
#14 | |||
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Posts: 2302 12/18/2007 19:57 Moderator |
I too fish the White and Norfork once in a while. My observation is 85% of the anglers on those tailwaters are using a double nymph setup with a bobber, 5%
fish streamers, 5% soft hackles, and 5% fish midges to smutting fish. Additionally, 5% are under the influence, 1% are Fish and Game agents and 2% are trying
to break into your car. These are approximations, of course.
I am not much for the nymph/bobber setup but when I do, I like an 8 1/2' rod, and any Phillipson - Granger or trout weight South Bend would be a good choice. I like the additional length for this drudgery. Or is is dredgery? I fish small soft hackles more often and like a light 8 1/2' Heddon for this task. But most any rod can fish soft haclkes after some fashion. That 8' Orvis mentioned above is useful for it's versitility, and I like it as a streamer rod for night fishing or when the water is on the rise. In fact it will do just about anything pretty well. If you ever hook up with one of those 15 pound brown trout, this is the rod you want to have in your hand. It also makes a nice bluegill or bass rod as it has the ability to cast the bulkier flies. My preference is to look for smutting rises and fish with midges or baetis as the occasion requires. I use a light 7 1/2' or 7' rod for this. I seldom see other anglers doing this as method #1 is far more productive. So your choice of one rod would somewhat depend on what type of fishing you do when in Arkansas. A "first rod" should be able do a lot of things yet bring out the best in both the user as well as the quary. It is not an easy choice.
Last Edited By: tedgolden 12/18/2007 20:00.
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tedgolden |
#15 | |||
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Posts: 2303 12/18/2007 20:22 Moderator |
"Does anyone know of any shops around SE MO that sell older bamboo rods?"
There used to be a fly shop in Cape that might still be in business and of some help. Memphis might be a better bet. If you are closer to St. Louis, I'd check with T. Hargrove and Feathercraft. I might be able to help as well, located in St Louis County. |
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czkid |
#16 | |||
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Posts: 3029 12/18/2007 20:27 Moderator |
Let me echo some of Drew's comments from above. I get to fish the White and Norfolk about 4 times a year. I fish the rivers with everything from a
7'6", 4wt to a 9ft Parabolic 6wt... with an occasional foray into my 8'6" Orvis Shooting Star 8wt on a couple sections. But, I would say
that you should take up the gentleman offering you the 8ft Orvis. I've got two 8 ft Orvis', one 3pc and one 2pc.... if I had to go somewhere and could
only take one rod... and I was going to be out of reach of civilization during the trip, I wouldn't think twice... it would be my 8ft Orvis that I took.
Indestrutable, great casting, and a real work horse. To me.... an absolute no brainer.. IF it's the 4 1/8 oz model.
Ralph |
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Marshall8 |
Orvis rod | #17 | ||
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Posts: 638 12/18/2007 20:38 |
Ralph,
Not sure about the differences in the 8' Orvis rods but this one is from 1957 and is a 4 1/4oz. I had read something somewhere about there not being too much of a change in the tapers between the lightest and heavier 4 3/8oz versions but mine throws a DT6 much nicer than my friends 4 3/8oz. I mic'd both rods and mine has a taper more like a Garrison rod with stress around 125000 where my friends is stiffer down around 110000 with the same line/length. Marshall |
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epmo |
#18 | |||
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Posts: 8 12/18/2007 20:41 |
Thanks for all the replies. As far as I know there isn't a fly shop in Cape any more. There used to be one down by the water front, but it's been
closed for a while. Versatility would definitely be a great quality to have in a rod. I am the type of person that fishes many different ways. I love dry
fly fishing, but nymph fish more. I even use the occasional fetal emerger! (gasp!!) (egg pattern). I just enjoy fishing and depending on the amount of time I
have to fish could fish strictly to catch fish, or for a challenge just to improve my abilities. I don't live real close to a trout stream and I think I
am going to spend more time on warm water fisheries just to make the most of my time. I don't end up trout fishing but about 4 or 5 weekends a year and
maybe 1 or 2 weeks depending on where I take my vacations. The last 2 years my vacations have been spent at Sam A. Baker State Park catching bass and bluegill
on my flyrod. So, as I was saying, a versatile rod is a necessity!
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slantrock |
#19 | |||
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Posts: 118 12/18/2007 21:04 |
You cannot go wrong with a Orvis 7 1/2 or 8 ft. rod. Its possible to pick up a one tip madison for 4-450.
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Jeff Fultz |
#20 | |||
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Posts: 259 12/18/2007 21:53 |
epmo,
I'm 2 hours away from you in NE Arkansas. I'd love to have you down anytime to talk and cast rods. I'm available just about anytime (except Sundays) and I kinda miss all the visitors to my shop since I moved away from Denver (but my coffee supply lasts much longer). Jeff Fultz (870) 769-2825 |
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- Members Corner
- Forum Announcements
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- Rod making, restoration, repairs and discussion on those related topics concerning bamboo rods.
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- Appraisals & Identification of Bamboo Fly Rods
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- Book Talk
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