Rod Building Materials

[EricNotTheRed]

Hey Prof, which of the Rainshadow blanks have you used? I see they have several in their fly series, ie, RX7, RX8+, Travel series, etc.

Any comments on the differentiation?

[Donn]

IN my opinion there is going to be little difference in building a bamboo rod and building a graphite rod. I say that not having built a graphite rod but I have built bamboo rods. Putting on a quality reel seat, cork grip, snake guides, etc., is not going to be much different. Buying a good quality blank is what's most important to begin with and that may be harder to do with bamboo than it is with graphite. As for the cost, my guess is that a good bamboo blank can be purchased for about the same cost as a Sage blank. Also, with a bamboo blank, the supplier will usually put the ferrule on because that takes more knowledge and experience to do correctly. And that's where my knowledge ends on the subject.

On a different subject, "making" a bamboo rod or being a rod "maker" is an entirely different thing of course. That's where the raw culm of bamboo is turned into a rod. That's apples and oranges where building from a blank is probably quite comparable.

[Crapsterface]

I read somwere about bamboo rods that they r all slow action rods ? is this true ? or can u strategicaly taper it or somthing to make it fast action. ? can u build a graphite one in 1 or 2 hours? aside from the glue drying? or what ?

[professori]

can u build a graphite one in 1 or 2 hours? aside from the glue drying? or what ?

No! Slow down a bit. If you really know what you are doing, a good, well-finished graphite rod is going to take you 8 to 16 hours (not counting drying times). You might be able to throw one together in 4 or 5 hours from a kit, but the result would probably look like it. Good things take time. The one thing everyone should learn from fly fishing and all the related skills is patience. Nothing much good comes from rushing through this sport.

[Donn]

I read somwere about bamboo rods that they r all slow action rods ? is this true ? or can u strategicaly taper it or somthing to make it fast action. ?

No, bamboo rods are not all slow action. You can find a taper to build to that will suit any preference and any type of rod you want to build. Even spinning rods and spey rods.

[TonP]

I read somwere about bamboo rods that they r all slow action rods ? is this true ? or can u strategicaly taper it or somthing to make it fast action. ? can u build a graphite one in 1 or 2 hours? aside from the glue drying? or what ?

With a bit experience one can build a graphite rod in about 15 hours. A bamboo rod is another story, it takes me between 40 and 75 hours from a raw culm to a fine rod.
About the action of a bamboo rod, they will never be as fast as graphite. When you have the chance cast a line with a bamboo rod and if it's not your cup of tea just stay with graphite. It's all a matter of personal taste.

[Donn]

With a bit experience one can build a graphite rod in about 15 hours. A bamboo rod is another story, it takes me between 40 and 75 hours from a raw culm to a fine rod.
About the action of a bamboo rod, they will never be as fast as graphite. When you have the chance cast a line with a bamboo rod and if it's not your cup of tea just stay with graphite. It's all a matter of personal taste.

Hi Ton, and nice to hear from you here on this forum! Check out the bamboo thread too when you get a chance. I'm still hopeful that something can be established here on bamboo rod building. As far as I know there's no other in Canada yet.

Don in Nanaimo

p.s. been to visit the pinks in the eve with your bamboo yet?

[TonP]

I have fished the Eve but with graphite. I'll try out my new bamboo rod a 2 piece 8'3" and if I did right a #8 this weekend

Cheers, Ton