"DerekO" wrote in message
...
I recently ran across a bamboo rod in a second hand store. Can anyone
tell me if they are still good? It seemed to have some good action.
I was just unsure of buying it, using it and having it break. Anyone
with any experience?

Its been a while since I had my last remaining cane rod out on the river so
can I offer a couple of tips- first assemble the rod and slowly pull the
tip round to 90degrees all the while listening for any tell tale a)creaking
or heaven forfend b)cracking that may indicate a) the glue is giving up or
b) the fibres that give cane its strength are getting dry if its ok to 90
degrees then gently try another 20degrees look for discolouration around the
ferrules where damp may have got in . Examine before bending the rod and
after for any set in the rod i.e. sagging to indicate it is getting tired,
an old rod can very quickly take a set under that kind of load. As another
post says if its not silly money then they are fun to use though the action
seems painfully slow compared to boron or graphite.
Last time out with my 3 piece Manifold rod on a still water (the Manifold
is a very small river ion the edge of Staffordshire and Derbyshire
http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/7467649.jpg ) I struck into a 2
1/2lb pound rainbow way bigger than the rod was intended to handle and
spent a heart stopping 25 minutes playing it to a standstill wondering if
the 50 year old bamboo would last the race after that I polished it and put
it away safely to enjoy another day.
Derek W
Cheshire UK