Marshall wrote:snipo.k., lets say you wanted to buy a "nice" bamboo rod
without breaking the
bank,
where would you start?

I don't know what part of the country you are in, but most bamboo rodmakers
want you to try their rods. each year at the FFF Southern Council Conclave in
Mountain Home, Arkansas on the first weekend of October there are always at
least three boo rodmakers in attendence where you could try their rods and a
couple of other dealers that sell used boo rods you could try. Leo Eck donates
one of his rods to the auction each year and they can usualy be bought for
somewhere in the 400 to 500 buck range. These conclaves are scattered all
around the country. Whenever I have been in Mike Clark's rod shop he has some
used rods you could try and not have to wait a couple of years for him to make
you one of his. bamboo takes a little more care than graphite, but not a whole
lot. I would think any of these rods would last a lifetime with a little care.

Big Dale