Winston top bamboo rod makers pushed out for being liberals?

On Sun, 25 Dec 2005 21:07:40 -0500, Wayne Knight wrote:

"RkyMtnHootOwl" wrote in message
. ..

I recently picked up a used split bamboo rod with the name "Montague".
It has two tips, with a reversible handle. Can be used as a 9ft
flyrod, or 6 ft casting rod. I would like to get a handle on when the
rod was made, and whether it is safe to use one of these older rods?
Do they get brittle with age?

montague was a production rod maker in the early to mid 90's. The rods show
up frequently in peoples attics. Generally speaking they have little value
to collectors and some say fishing a 9' cane rod is no fun. If the rod is in
fishable shape, then by all means fish with it you would like. Most of the
Montagues I have seen have been in poor shape and needed work.

What is the advantage of the cane over
newer carbon fibre rods?

There are those who will tell you that nothing made of cane is as good as a
graphite rod so you will have to form your own opinion. I believe that cane
rods are more forgiving of casting mistakes and are a better fish fighting
tool because the fibers will flex all the way to the butt section, making it
more protective of the tippets. The average caster can generally cast
farther with a faster action graphite rod than a cane rod, and again a 9'
cane rod will wear some people out after a full day of casting. And most
folks don;t use cane in salt water or heavy freshwater applications.

You mention that there are other groups where
these are discussed, could you point me in their direction?

http://p205.ezboard.com/bclarksclassicflyrodforum
http://vfish.net/
www.flyfisherman.net
www.rodbuildingforum.com

Thanks Wayne and Eric for your info. I will probably try fishing with
it come spring, and see what I think. I have wondered what made the
difference in some of the high end rods that you see for sale. Is
there a difference in the cane, or just the finishing? Seems the cane
being a natural substance, should not be the main factor, but then
there are different grades of lumber, so probably the same holds for
cane. How do you tell the difference?

I previously found a couple of rods in a crawl space that I gave to my
brother-in-law, who took them to Wright McGill here in Denver. They
refinished, with new guides and farrells, no charge, and offered him
$500 ea for them. I was really surprised because I did not realize at
the time that they were worth that kind of money. He did not offer me
any of the bounty, but it would be nice to know what makes the
difference. OvO

"RkyMtnHootOwl" wrote in message
...

I was really surprised because I did not realize at
the time that they were worth that kind of money. He did not offer me
any of the bounty, but it would be nice to know what makes the
difference.

I would say that would be the last time I gave your brother in law anything
but that is your choice

If it makes you feel any better, $500 for a cane rod is on the low end of
the spectrum. Plus if they offered him $500 ea, they probably offered them
for sale higher than that. There are people out there who make a living
valuing and selling fishing tackle. But generally speaking cane rods that
are less than 8' in length, in good condition, and made by a now dead maker
are worth more to collectors. Gary Howells was a well known maker who
passed away in the past few years. His rods always commanded a premium but
since his death I've not seen one offered for sale for under $3,800. Even
tho the basic material is the same (tonkin bamboo), different makers use
different tapers to impart different actions to their rods. From different
eras the glues and varnish were different. I am not a collector, I like to
fish with cane. I know a guy in Atlanta that has a rather nice assortment of
cane rods, all kept in a gun safe never to see the water in his hands. I
think that's a sin.

So enjoy your montague, if you want to explore cane there are many ways to
do it accross the price spectrum. South Bend and Heddon made servicable
rods, they're prices are going up but still less than most rods. AJ Thramer
and other builders still make cane rods for under a grand if you want
something newer.

Wayne