Why Bamboo Fly Rods?

Fly fishing, as every other sport, is composed of a great deal of myth, conformity and expense. In addition, there is the continual and constant manufacture of equipment updates/upgrades where there always seems to be a "new & improved" or technological discovery advancing the anglers necessity to spend more dollars to improve their chance of subduing yet more trout. When it comes to choosing a rod, the market is dominated by graphite. Before graphite there was fiberglass and before fiberglass there was bamboo. After almost fading from the market fiberglass is in transition and experiencing a rebirth, but bamboo has continued to command a certain market share. This market has grown in recent years. Today there are more quality bamboo rod makers than ever existed and they are turning out rods unparalleled in history. Although commanding a higher initial price (mainly due to the complexities of their manufacture -- it takes roughly 25 to 30 hours to build a quality bamboo rod), bamboo rods hold their value, and in certain instances, they appreciate better than a common stock portfolio.

So what is it about a bamboo rod? Let’s start out by saying, bamboo is not better than graphite, it’s just different. The action is less rushed. There is undeniable beauty and history in a cane rod. They are made by a real person who has placed their name on the rod and their heart into its construction. Graphite does not conform to the character of a fish like bamboo. It is indifferent. A bamboo rod has strength with the ability to handle and play any salmonid species encountered in North America. Many say they seldom loose a large fish once hooked when fishing bamboo, because of its greater cushioning effect on a bolting fish. Their use is an acquired taste. You have to be a good caster to use bamboo properly. The advent of graphite allowed anyone to step up and begin fly fishing. Bamboo can be looked at as the next step as one advances in their fly fishing skill. A bamboo rod in longer rod lengths will be heavier than a graphite rod, but an experienced fisherperson will note, as your casting improves, one tends to take fewer casting strokes. In addition, fly rods and proper fly presentation take a balanced outfit. One needs a fly reel on a cane rod to balance out the additional weight and in so doing balances out the additional weight of the rod across the casting fulcrum.

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