I took delivery of an 8'6" 6wt Beaverhead rod a couple of months ago and have finally gotten around to fishing the rod in the last month. The rod is
completely hollowbuilt and weights practically nothing, 3.8 ounces. When I ordered the rod I thought I might be put off by the non-traditional graphite
ferrule, but after using the rod for nine days, I'm convince the graphite ferrule is superior in function to the traditional ferrules used on my other
rods. I'm curious how other people who own or have fished with a Beaverhead rods like or dislike the graphite/bamboo marriage and I'd like to hear
their take on how the complete hollowbuilding enhances the rod's recovery.
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Wayne Maca - Beaverhead Rods
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 oldtrout |
Wayne Maca - Beaverhead Rods |
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Posts: 51 06/18/2008 11:50 |
Last Edited By: oldtrout 06/18/2008 12:56.
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16 pmd |
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Posts: 535 06/19/2008 02:02 |
I have cast two of Wayne's rods, one the single "slower" model and the other a fast 8' prototype. The faster one didn't feel bamboo-like
to me, but the slower one did. Though I can't say that I could feel the difference made by the graphite ferrule alone, the ferrule bent nicely and is a lot
lighter than a comparable metal one. Both rods were high performance casting machines, and I'm sure the recovery speed was enhanced by the extreme
hollowbuilding. I'm not sure I like the fast ones, but I do like the fact that he's pushing the envelope in bamboo building techniques. If he would
build more moderate action rods using his radical techniques rather than trying to emulate graphite actions, I personally would like them a lot.
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Gnome |
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Posts: 1594 06/19/2008 08:09 King of the Gnomes |
I applaud Waynes efforts at pushing the boundaries and I am not sure that we have found the boundaries or limits of what we can do with Bamboo and Wayne is a
prime example of that.
My pointy red hat is off to you my friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to see faster and lighter and you know what you have to do to get there8-) Jeff |
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oldtrout |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 52 06/19/2008 10:59 |
The 8'6" rod I ordered is one of the slower models Wayne makes. I would say it's on the fast side of medium.
If I ever make it out to Twin Bridges I would love to cast one of his fast sticks. Edit: I forgot to mention that I think the rod is just fantastic!
Last Edited By: oldtrout 06/20/2008 11:34.
Edited 3 times.
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jeffbwalker |
Stronger-Lighter-Faster | #4 | ||
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Posts: 4 06/20/2008 00:10 |
Hey All,
The above says it all. I AM biased having enjoyed a brew or maybe two with him tonight. Whether it was the first snowboards in the Olympics or fly rods, his bottom line was and is performance! Racing snowboards were not subjective, they were definitive, whether it felt good or bad, whoever crossed the line first won. Rods are most certainly subjective but are still tools to do a job of fighting wind or accurately placing a cast. If a particular rod "feels" too fast, it is easy to drop the tip and open the loop or line it up to slow it down and have a rod that weighs less as a plus! If you have a rod that is already too slow, your options become quite limited! All the best! Jeff |
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16 pmd |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 537 06/20/2008 01:02 |
Jeff, To carry your analogy about snowboards a little further, if I wanted to get there firstest and fastest, I'd use graphite rods (and I sometimes do).
On the other hand, if I wanted something a bit more mellow and pleasant, I don't thing there's anything that can touch bamboo. I'm a bit bipolar -
I like both graphite and bamboo. When I use graphite I want the lightest, fastest, highest line speed, tightest-loop accuracy rod I can find - like Loomis GLX
Max Line Speed models. When I use bamboo I don't want a slow rod, but I'm definitely looking for something a bit more mellow, relaxed and pleasant.
I'd make an analogy to cars - if I wanted to race hard around corners and get from A to B in the shortest time, I'd use a car with harsh, tight racecar
suspension. The ride would be hard, but I'd go fast. On the other hand if I wanted a pleasant ride I'd choose a car with softer suspension that
wouldn't get me there as fast, but would be much more comfortable. I think trying to make bamboo as high performance as graphite is a bit like trying to
make a luxury sedan go as fast around the corners as a racecar - not gonna happen. I do think that Wayne's building techniques and use of materials are a
significant and valuable advance, but I don't think making bamboo as fast as possible is necessarily the goal to pursue. Lighter and stronger, yes.
Personally, if I wanted a rod that feels like graphite, I'd use a graphite rod. Pure efficiency isn't what I want or get out of my bamboo rods.
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WestSlope |
Stronger-Lighter-Faster | #6 | ||
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Posts: 679 06/20/2008 01:51 |
Wayne is cutting edge, that's what I like about his rods and the reason I was moved to sell them. I believe in what he's trying to achieve and only see
good things in the future! We need more builders that think outside the box! Just another example would be Rob Smiths Penalux design. All these ideas are
refreshing if you ask me and can advance the art of bamboo rod building in the years to come. Sure I love the classic tapers and there will always be special
place in my heart for these Masters but there is plenty of room for new ideas from todays new generation!
I'm sure the Gnomes new book should shed some light on these new contemporary rod builders.
Last Edited By: WestSlope 06/20/2008 08:44.
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ARTHURK |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 156 06/20/2008 04:50 |
Hi oldtrout,
I have one of Wayne's 204cm 6wt and have on order his Primo. I agree with both Jeffs that Wayne's goal is admirable and ultimately achievable the way he is going at it. Wayne never looses touch of the lessons on 'feel' he picked up from Glenn Brackett and you can experience that refinement using his rods if you manage to increase your tempo a little. Mine was made to tackle saltwater bruisers under windy conditions and I have fewer chances to fish it due to its sheer power... It's like driving your Ferrari on a country road... The rod wants more water than the narrow streams I fish more often nowadays. Secondly, it is pace. I tend to want to slow down and therefore reach for those 'have coffee while watching your backcast' rods. That said, my usual small water preference has nothing to do with Wayne's dream.. you can make the fastest and lightest cane rod slower but usually not the other way round. Once he has reached the pinnacle, he can achieve any level in between. As for retaining 'feel', Wayne kept two important things constant, bamboo and the Zen of Glenn. One more thing, he does a great job in the aesthetics department too matching graphite with similar finish. Enjoy your beaverhead! Arthur |
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Gnome |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 1600 06/21/2008 09:24 King of the Gnomes |
one thing for 16 pmd to consider is the fact that the 8' rod of Wayne's that he cast was a prototype and has undergone more refinement and tweaking and
thus is probably not a fair comparison at this time due to the evolution of Wayne's work and build style.
To make an advance within this craft or art is usually looked upon with disdain or vile revulsion because it does not fit with the view of the classic bamboo fly rod. I know Wayne has felt this and I feel for him and applaud him and will continually urge him to stay out of the box and lets see where we can take Bamboo because I do not believe that we have found the ultimate bamboo build style yet we may be close but there is still room for improvement and I think that if H.L.Leonard or Ed Payne or any of the dead past masters where here today they would also applaud Wayne's techniques and they would probably be doing their best to emulate what he has achieved. ANd if you can have a rod that looks like bamboo but performs at or ABOVE the graphite level why not? Because at that point you have the best of both worlds in my view. I am still trying to figure out how to wheedle one away from him for the "Gnomes Travelling rod show" Jeff |
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 canerodscom |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 1759 06/21/2008 09:39 Bamboo preacher |
I am still trying to figure out how to wheedle one away from him for the "Gnomes Travelling rod show"No way Jeff. That rod would never be able to stay in the case. You'd have it out fishing too often. :-) Harry
Harry Boyd
maker@canerods.com http://www.canerods.com |
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Gnome |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 1604 06/22/2008 08:16 King of the Gnomes |
Harry,
You are right and in that case I would have no will power whatsoever and the rod would be fished and fished hard!! Jeff |
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