The Cane Rod

I recently have been researching the traditional Bamboo (cane) rods. I'm
very much interested in the history, construction, casting techniques and
the craftsmanship of these rods. I noticed there are quite a few good
builders as well as newcomers to the art. I also read, and I'm sure it's
old news to most here that the Bamboo team of Glenn Brackett, Jeff Walker
and Jerry Kustich left R.L. Winston in October last year. I haven't heard
on the impact that would have on Winston, but I'm sure it didn't suit well
with the purist.

Any traditionalist out there fly-fishing with the cane rod?
-tom

Tom Nakashima wrote:
I recently have been researching the traditional Bamboo (cane) rods. I'm
very much interested in the history, construction, casting techniques and
the craftsmanship of these rods. I noticed there are quite a few good
builders as well as newcomers to the art. I also read, and I'm sure it's
old news to most here that the Bamboo team of Glenn Brackett, Jeff Walker
and Jerry Kustich left R.L. Winston in October last year. I haven't heard
on the impact that would have on Winston, but I'm sure it didn't suit well
with the purist.

Any traditionalist out there fly-fishing with the cane rod?

Careful Tom, you're dabbling in dangerous water here. This
particular dalliance could end up costing you a small fortune. ;-)

I have two 'boos, a Wright & McGill Granger Aristocrat (a
middle of the line production rod from the 1940's - 1950's)
and a Zimboo, a handcrafted piece of cane by the now retired
rod maker Steve Zimmerman of Hamilton Rods. They are both
delightful to cast and fish with. My 'boo, like most all 'boo,
has a very slow action which is perfectly suited for casting
dry flies. I would never sully a good piece of cane by using
it to cast anything other than dry flies although I suppose
it's not illegal in some states to fling a nymph with one.

--
Ken Fortenberry

In article , Tom Nakashima
wrote:


Any traditionalist out there fly-fishing with the cane rod?
-tom

I now nearly always fish with cane - usually a Hardy 8 foot Palakona
(with a silk line on a perfect reel), but more recently I've started
again using a wonderful rod, a 6' 3" rod made by a long-dead rod-maker
called Lance Nicholson, from Dulverton, on Exmoor in England (where, I
think, Lorna Doone got married.) (I also use silk for that, on a Hardy
lightweight reel.)

I used to fish a lot on the Barle that flows through Dulverton, a
beautiful river filled with small wild brown trout, that sometimes has
a run of salmon at the end of the year.

My Sage carbon rods are better, frankly, but somehow the cane rods are
more fun. And many years ago I had some casting lessons from Andrew
Murray, the Hardy's professional. I remember him saying then that
although carbon is more efficient, cane is kinder. And he ought to
know.

Lazarus

One thing, though, to anyone starting out. I wouldn't advise using cane
any longer than 8'.

On 3/6/06 12:39 PM, in article
alid, "Lazarus Cooke"
wrote:

One thing, though, to anyone starting out. I wouldn't advise using cane
any longer than 8'.

I can't quote it verbatim, but as I recall, Gierach in his book "Fishing
Bamboo" states nearly the opposite, that rods under 8' in length are
"specialty rods" and that he prefers those 8' and over. I don't believe he
was stating this as advice to newcomers to bamboo per se, but I thought I'd
bring it up since it is in such contrast to your statement.

Are you suggesting that a bamboo rod over 8' in length is more difficult for
a novice to cast?

Bill

"William Claspy" wrote in message
...
On 3/6/06 12:39 PM, in article
alid, "Lazarus Cooke"
wrote:

One thing, though, to anyone starting out. I wouldn't advise using cane
any longer than 8'.

I can't quote it verbatim, but as I recall, Gierach in his book "Fishing
Bamboo" states nearly the opposite, that rods under 8' in length are
"specialty rods" and that he prefers those 8' and over. I don't believe
he
was stating this as advice to newcomers to bamboo per se, but I thought
I'd
bring it up since it is in such contrast to your statement.

Are you suggesting that a bamboo rod over 8' in length is more difficult
for
a novice to cast?

Bill


Bill, not sure if I should be the one answer this,but from what I've read,
and spoke with a few local experts on bamboo rods. When you get up in length
you also get up in the actual weight of the rod.
I was surprised to pick up a 7 1/2 4wt vs. a 8 1/2 6wt, there's a great
amount of weight difference. There is also a huge difference between the 7
1/2 4wt bamboo rod vs. a 9' 5wt carbon fiber rod.
Most of the experts I've talked with on cane rods told me the same, stay
under 8'. And most agreed 7.5- 7.9 4wt -5wt do cast the best.
It's on my mind and I'm very close to dishing out the bucks for a new
Winston 7 1/2 4wt 3pc with two tips since they're not being made anymore.
Welcome and open to suggestions.
-tom

On Mon, 06 Mar 2006 14:58:09 GMT, Ken Fortenberry
wrote:

I would never sully a good piece of cane by using
it to cast anything other than dry flies although I suppose
it's not illegal in some states to fling a nymph with one

As a nympher, I have to agree. But/however, I have used cane with a
nymph or two. d;o)

I have two Kusse (3 and 5), a Zimmerman (4), another made by roff's
own Peter Collin (a 5 which I use the most), and a Gehrke *******.

Dave LaCourse wrote:
Ken Fortenberry wrote:
I would never sully a good piece of cane by using
it to cast anything other than dry flies although I suppose
it's not illegal in some states to fling a nymph with one

As a nympher, I have to agree. But/however, I have used cane with a
nymph or two. d;o)

I have two Kusse (3 and 5), a Zimmerman (4), another made by roff's
own Peter Collin (a 5 which I use the most), and a Gehrke *******.

DOH !! I forgot, I too have a garden stake from the
Gehrke bamboo experiment. It's crap.

--
Ken Fortenberry

On Mon, 06 Mar 2006 18:32:08 GMT, Ken Fortenberry
wrote:

DOH !! I forgot, I too have a garden stake from the
Gehrke bamboo experiment. It's crap.

While I agree, I also think you are overreacting; after all, you never
saw #11 and #12. d;o)

When Peter Collin was at the house, we cast some canes on the grass.
He showed me flaws in the Gehrke that aren't as obvious as most, and
there were too many to list here. I didn't like the feel or cast of
the rod, but it could be used to catch fish.

Dave LaCourse typed:
On Mon, 06 Mar 2006 18:32:08 GMT, Ken Fortenberry
wrote:

DOH !! I forgot, I too have a garden stake from the
Gehrke bamboo experiment. It's crap.

While I agree, I also think you are overreacting; after all, you never
saw #11 and #12. d;o)

When Peter Collin was at the house, we cast some canes on the grass.
He showed me flaws in the Gehrke that aren't as obvious as most, and
there were too many to list here. I didn't like the feel or cast of
the rod, but it could be used to catch fish.

I don't personally own a bamboo rod, but if I did purchase one, the main
reason would be for the feel and casting characteristics. If those aren't
there, it seems to me you could just use a willow branch, no?
--
TL,
Tim
-------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj

Tim J. wrote:

I don't personally own a bamboo rod, but if I did purchase one, the main
reason would be for the feel and casting characteristics. If those aren't
there, it seems to me you could just use a willow branch, no?

You should consider the Orvis Classic Traditional Package.

It comes with a bamboo rod, a silk line, a gut leader, a tweed jacket, a
briar pipe, and a split willow creel.

:-)

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.