About Wanigas Rod Company

Wanigas Rod Company was  started by three returning World War II servicemen in the Saginaw / Bay City area of Michigan in 1946; William Mang, Robert Nixon and Arthur Neumann. Originally named, The Renew Rod Shop, their business plan was to provide a service to maintain and repair fishing equipment for the returning post-war sportsman and to be a source of new quality gear. Mang & Neumann changed the name to Wanigas Rod Company in 1952 and in 1958 ownership transferred solely to Neumann.The name is the city of Saginaw spelled backwards, as well as, of a once popular cigar manufacturer in Bay City (In the later nineteenth century Bay City/Saginaw were the largest cigar manufacturing center in the United States.) As the shop continued, the ownership expanded their commitment to the Michigan fisheries scene and became ground zero for the fledgling start up of the now nationally recognized, Trout Unlimited organization with Neumann being one of the original 15 organizational founders and TU's first executive director. The company again transferred ownership to the current owner in 2006.

Extensive Selection of Bamboo Rods

The Wanigas Rod Company built a name for an extensive selections of bamboo, fiberglass, and graphite rods in the country. Wanigas made no rod blanks, as they sourced them from known quality manufacturers and finished them out in their trade dress hardware and wrappings. Their bamboo blanks came from The James Heddon Company, The E. W. Edwards Rod Company, The Paul H. Young Company, Nat Uslan and a builder S. T. Smalls. No other companies or persons built bamboo rods for the Wanigas rod models. The blanks are then wrapped either "in-house" or by a select few local Michigan individuals. Final finishing done in the shop. The Supreme is our top of the line rod model, followed by the now discontinued Deluxe, Select, Superb and models named after famous Michigan rivers. Our current line of products is limited to new and high quality previously owned bamboo rods and unique other crafted items. All our products are manufactured in the United States. The majority of our products are made in Michigan. Our inventory is "in stock" and immediately available for shipment. We have always been about educating our customers, and minimally wish to make you a better consumer in this market through interacting with us.

Why Bamboo?

Bamboo has been used in the production of fishing rods/poles for well over four thousand years. In the past two hundred years advancements have been made to rod construction to meet the demands of the evolving fly-fishing community. Up until 1945 or so, bamboo was the primary rod building material and served well in most fishing situations. It has proven to be a strong durable, capable, material to construct fly rods from, 2 weight to 10 weight models. After WWII, fiberglass, then quickly followed by graphite, came into the market and pretty much replaced bamboo except for a few die hard companies and individuals who continued to build bamboo rods. In the mid-late 1980's there was a renewed interest in bamboo as a rod material and many small one person builders appeared. Since 2000 there have been even more innovative advancements in hollow build taper designs and contemporary hardware applications bringing the performance and weight of rods close to that of modern graphite rods. Still, bamboo as a material allows for a slightly slower casting stroke, which allows for greater opportunities in cast mending. A more relaxed attack to one's cast. One can cast just as far, effectively and efficiently with bamboo, just not as rushed as graphite product rods require. A more quiet performance, not shouting. Many people gravitate to fishing bamboo as they grow into the sport, not only for the beauty and history of the rods, but the delight in fishing that many speak to. The more resilient flex of a bamboo rod hooks and plays a fish with more perceived feel and cushions your tippet during quick runs of a fish. As many have said; "Bamboo has a soul not found in contemporary products which conveys this intrinsic demeanor to its user in casting to and playing a fish."

Bamboo rod making is an exact craft and many have practiced it, building wonderful rods throughout the ages. One can class these builders in one of four ways; Famous known builders from the past, famous known builders of the present, first tier quality builders and lesser tier quality builders. The first is of value for their quality and/or historical collectibility, second are currently making or recently retired and well written about, the others are equally qualified slightly known builders. Some builders make/made 100's of rods per year, others only produced one or two. So it reasons, some small volume builders of exceptional workmanship would have a lesser following, yet the same workmanship of a better "known" maker. Our experience avails you the opportunity to seek a rod in a length, line weight and cost to meet your expectations, be you new to bamboo, a collector or anything in between.

Most bamboo rods old and new come with two tips, because that was the way historically bamboo rods were built. There was/is no structural need to have two tips it just became the common practice over time. When fiberglass and graphite came onto the market companies switched to the less production expense one tip format.

The bamboo market is not one to enter without some knowledge, as one can spend $500 on an excellent rod all the way up into the several thousand dollars. In addition, there are many quality rods in new to near new condition on the secondary market ready for immediate delivery. There are also many rebuilt, reconditioned, defective rods too. Typically one should consider they will spend $900-1800 for a quality bamboo rod. (Interestingly enough the same pricing as current high end , one tip, graphite rods are being offered for.)  A well made bamboo rod will last beyond your lifetime and hold its value if taken care of. Above and below that amount, one has to understand at what value level is one hoping to achieve for that lesser or greater expense. We are here to fill in your educational gaps and allow your purchase to be knowledge based for the greatest value to you. Even if you do not purchase from us, we hope the interaction leaves you a more informed consumer. In that aspect we have achieve success.