Received my first bamboo rod this past weekend. It is a 7'6" 5/6 Schliske taper courtesy of the maker himself, Matt Schliske. The rod is
breathtaking in its aethestics, but it is her casting qualities that has truly captivated me. Now, I say this is my first bamboo rod, although technically it
is not. I had previously and briefly owned a Orvis 8.5, 8 wt. and a Edminson Brothers (basically a Hardy) 8' 6 wt. I was not fond of either of them and
thought my bamboo days were over. That is until I waggled a Bob Summers rod. I couldn't get it out of my head, but I knew I couldn't afford the price
tag either. So instead I just let it roll around in my dreams, while I accumalated slower action graphite rods and a few cheap fiberglass ones. Then about a
year ago, I happened to have a conversation with a guy who had a Schliske rod. He told me about Matt and the rod and how wonderful it was and why it was the
perfect all around Michigan rod. So I just did it - I ordered it - even as we were facing a lay-off in the family (hence the title of this post - and as the
title implies - it was one of the best decisions I have ever made). The rod already feels like an old friend after only a week. Indeed I was out today
casting her directly into a strong headwind (although side-armed) and she performed flawlessly and without complaint. It seems perhaps I have found the tool
that fits best my natural casting rhythm. Now, I know this will not be the last of my bamboo purchases and in fact I am already identifying which graphite
rods will be the first to go. Here is what I am wondering though - what makes for such a diverse experience from one bamboo rod to the next? I truly could
not stand the first 2 rods I had - they felt slow and cumbersome and dull - lifeless. This one feels lively (alive actually) and refined, yet strong and
capable. A tool that seems to delight in working with you. It has the same qualities of "feel" that the Summers rod had - so what is that about?
This forum began as Clark's Classic Bamboo Rod Forum, founded by Clark Davis for all who share a passion for classic rods. The forum is now owned by Whitefish Press aka Dr. Todd Larson - banjo.
For those who don't use English as their primary language we now have a translator for your language of choice hosted by Google.
0 Kudo
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Ever notice "what the hell" is always the right decision?
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 ursus from michigan |
Ever notice "what the hell" is always the right decision? |
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Posts: 3 03/01/2008 14:00 |
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kimk |
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Posts: 527 03/01/2008 14:16 |
The Orvis rod is basically a light salmon class rod, made to throw #1 salmon hooks and to do battle w/ things that eat #1 salmon hooks. While the Hardy is a
bit lighter , I suspect that it is still a rod of some substance. The Schliske sounds more like a sports car. Quick, delicate, responsive, fun. I don't
think I would take it salmon fishing. Different tools for different jobs.
AgMD |
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ursus from michigan |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 4 03/01/2008 15:48 |
Perhaps it is just a difference in heft and purpose, but it seems more than that. I used the 8 weight for pike/bass and correspondingly large hooks/flies -
still rather dull and lifeless. Now, maybe heavy bamboo just isn't going to work for me - actually given shoulder issues and arthritic hands, I am
guessing it probably isn't, but it still makes me wonder about action and taper and the intangeables that go into making a bamboo rod. In the world of
graphite I have had those I like and those I don't, but none that felt impossible to cast and/or work with, (although the SAGE XP left me a little cold).
In bamboo though, it seems there is a very wide variation in rods and thus more extremes in experience. Perhaps I just need more experience with more bamboo
rods to really understand.
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fishbum |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 124 03/01/2008 16:33 |
Ursus:
Big rods need not be heavy rods. I just completed a 10 1/2 foot 8 weight two handed that can be comfortably cast with one hand. Can't wait to get to the Pere Marquette the first week in April. I have several rods from 7 to 9 weight that are comfortable to fish all day. No more fatigue than using graphite. In fact, they fish easier than graphite of the same size on the rivers I fish. You are not so far from me that we couldn't arrange to meet in the middle for you to try a big rod if you want. maker of big rods you can fish, fishbum |
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ursus from michigan |
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Posts: 5 03/01/2008 17:13 |
Yep - I am betting there is a 8' - 8 1/2' 6/7 weight out there that I would like, just not the Edminson. For now though, I think I'll concentrate
on the smaller end. I still like graphite for heavier, bigger water and besides, as a 5'4" female who likes to fish heavy sink tips, I need to keep
the odds stacked in my favor. Bamboo might be a hoot for some folks under those conditions, but I suspect for me it would result in some unwelcomed body
piercings.
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SnooKen |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 480 03/01/2008 17:51 |
Given your stature and predilection for sinktips and streamers it might be worth considering a light two-hander sometime in the future. Extra length for mends
& rolls and the 2-handed casting techniques share the workload out and keep the arms and shoulders feeling good all day.
Ken |
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kwhauck |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 15 03/02/2008 09:52 |
I remember when I discovered that all rods are not created equal. My grandfather had started me on spinning rods and when I went to department stores they all
felt about the same. My first fly rod was a 7' South Bend fiberglass and while the bend when it loads is nearer the middle rather than 1/3 down from the
top like most spinning rods, it felt about the same too.
I did make a point most of my life to not try shaking more expensive rods so I wouldn't be disappointed in the rods I could afford. My first graphite rods were bottom of the line and yup, felt about the same but, being two piece rods, were really tough to put in the Jetta I was driving at the time. The 8'6" case just squeaked into the trunk if you got it all the way into a back corner and then eased it in the opposite corner of the trunk opening. The 9' case required opening the back door and sliding it along the passenger wall, preventing the front seat passenger from getting in or out. I was in the "looks like layoffs" position myself at the time and was asking friends about a good four piece blank. Nick offered me a GLoomis IMX 9' 6w 4 piece and case for what the blank would cost. All I had to do was go to Don's Tackle Service when I got a chance and see if I liked it. Don kept the consignment rods assembled and standing in an old nail keg. I wandered over and, without looking at labels, started picking them up, one at a time, and shaking them to see how they curved when loaded. Most of them felt just about the same. What's this? It doesn't feel like any rod I ever touched? It's Nick's rod! Well, it's my rod now. When GLoomis stopped making IMX, I tried shaking the replacement. Back to just about the same. Saved me a lot of money. Then I made the mistake of casting a Jeff Wagner bamboo rod. 
Why are rods different? There are many many variables in the taper of a rod which changes how the rod works. When you watch the curve the rod describes when you shake a Garrison taper, most of the bending is occurring in the top third, the tip more so and less and less as you approach the grip. I watched a Young or maybe a Pezon taper (it was Art Weiler's booth) and the rod curved equally all the way from the tip to the grip so it looked like a half circle when loaded. I couldn't believe it. Thank goodness for differences.
Yr. obt. svt.
Kurt |
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- Members Corner
- Forum Announcements
- Collecting Bamboo Fly Rods
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- The Cooks Kitchen
- The Classic Fly Rod Classifieds
- Technical Support
Quick Reply
The Orvis database by Greg Reynolds Finally available again!!
Check out the Paul Young Rod Co. database which is owned and maintained by member Robert Golder (quashnet).
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