Can someone help me evaluate used Bamboo Rods?

[redietz]

Not attempting to nitpick just trying to dispel an inaccuracy.

I actually meant that I was nitpicking. I agree with you; I doubt that any 1F's were made, but nevertheless, the statement that a 1F would be a trout taper isn't wrong. It's like saying that a 17 weight rod would be heavy duty. The fact that they don't exist doesn't make that any less true, and it's possbile but unlikely, that someday, somebody will make one, just as it's possbile but unlikely that Heddon made any 1Fs.

[bobbyg]

I actually meant that I was nitpicking. I agree with you; I doubt that any 1F's were made, but nevertheless, the statement that a 1F would be a trout taper isn't wrong. It's like saying that a 17 weight rod would be heavy duty. The fact that they don't exist doesn't make that any less true, and it's possbile but unlikely, that someday, somebody will make one, just as it's possbile but unlikely that Heddon made any 1Fs.

Sorry if anything I posted led anyone to believe that a Heddon rod built on a 15/64ths taper would not be a trout rod.

Of course it would be, as the vast, vast majority of all fly rods Heddon built were designed for trout fishing.

[saltydancindave]

Thought I read an ad for a custom built #18 weight fly rod for the deep not too long ago.......& wondered who made flylines that big because the Ratt-L-Trap fly prototypes from the vise are going to need one because the #8 weight fiberglass just flings it & it'll need more weight in the belly to sink upright ! A late 1920's Leonard Fairy Catskill weighs in at 2-1/8 oz for a #2 weight & at this moment can't find all of the old bamboo rod weight list, but recall some were around 7 oz for a #6/7 weight. Orvis Battenkill weighs 4-3/8 oz for a #6/7. Just looked at a new high-tech rod catalog & most of their top end rods are all around 3 oz or less for up to a #7 - #8 weight fly rod. Add the line speed that can be generated with these super fast flex high-tech rods & it's not too much to figure that bamboo just isn't to some; yet still has it's place for others waters.

[fishbum]

Thought I read an ad for a custom built #18 weight fly rod for the deep not too long ago.......& wondered who made flylines that big because the Ratt-L-Trap fly prototypes from the vise are going to need one because the #8 weight fiberglass just flings it & it'll need more weight in the belly to sink upright ! A late 1920's Leonard Fairy Catskill weighs in at 2-1/8 oz for a #2 weight & at this moment can't find all of the old bamboo rod weight list, but recall some were around 7 oz for a #6/7 weight. Orvis Battenkill weighs 4-3/8 oz for a #6/7. Just looked at a new high-tech rod catalog & most of their top end rods are all around 3 oz or less for up to a #7 - #8 weight fly rod. Add the line speed that can be generated with these super fast flex high-tech rods & it's not too much to figure that bamboo just isn't to some; yet still has it's place for others waters.

I have a couple of bamboo rod that a good caster can generate enough line speed to cast into the backing without a lot of effort. Just like the super fast flex high-tech rods.

[Jack Hise]

Oh Lord if only I was blessed with Frank's knowledge of "Everything" I could find the answer to Life it's self!!

[sharps]

It depends on which model of Montague one is discussing. Montague, H & I, South Bend and others made low end rods that most of us wouldn't care for. They also all made some very good rods. The South Bend 323 comes immediately to mind, and the South Bend 290 I bought from bobbyg. The H & I Tonka Queen and Prince are pretty darn good rods.

A few years ago I took what I thought was a chance on a 7', 2/1, 4 wt. from a little outfit called Pocket Water Rods, now out of business. For $200.00 I couldn't resist it as it was such a pretty little rod. That is almost the best $200.00 I ever spent on a rod, it is simply put, delightful. So your thoughts on an "unknown" maker certainly have merit, especially if the maker started with a good blank.

I think I saw where someone mentioned a return policy on ordered rods, good advice. Unless one has great experience with cane sticks I don't believe one can know whether he will like a rod until one has actually cast it. The advice about bamboo casting more slowly should also be taken. Personally, I much prefer bamboo to anything else but it is a matter of taste.

I would agree with bobbyg, spend some time at clarks. Here's a link.

http://classicflyrodforum.com/forum/index.php

[aged_sage]

Oh Lord if only I was blessed with Frank's knowledge of "Everything" I could find the answer to Life it's self!!

Jack...

What a pity you don't use that knot on your shoulders for something besides a hat rack! As my paternal Grandfather would say: "Nichts kommt aus der Lachmanns Haus." I will translate for your benefit: "Nothing comes from (out of) a laughing man's (crazy person's) house."

FRANK!

[aged_sage]

Those are some rather heavy line weight graphite rods you cite. Naturally they are gonna come in at 4 oz. or more.
Most graphite trout rods, relatively speaking, in the 4 to 6 weight class are gonna weigh around 3 oz. or less.

Heddon never made a Victory model and the Stream and Lake was produced by Wright & McGill Granger.

The problem we have is that you think "Trout" rods. I don't have a problem with that. However, you would most definitely be 'underguuned' if you fished saltwater or weed/snag infested waters for large mouth black bass that we have here in.the south along the Gulf coast. Woe be unto you if you tried casting a 2/0 deer hair bug with a 4wt. rod and line; especially with the winds we typically experience where I live. Nine wt. rods and lines are often the 'rig' of choice for just such fishing.

Mea culpa, yes, I did get the makers names wrong. It is a Wright McGill "Victory" as well as "Stream and Lake". With respect to your comment about graphite rods in the 4 to 6 weight class coming in at around "...3oz or less...",this is going to be a function of length as well as the generation of graphite they are mode of. All weights I have presented are for nine foot rods. My 9ft 6wt comes in at 4oz., again in excess of the 3 oz. you cite. With one exception, all of my graphite rods are 2 piece, and are made of second generation through IM6 graphite. As you are aware, I am sure, the modern graphites are less dense, and thus weigh less than the older generation graphites. I am beginning to suspect that we are comparing 'apples to oranges' relative to graphite rods.

If rod weight is so important, why is it then that graphite rod makers do not advertise, mark their rods, and otherwise promote them based on their actual weights; as was done for the older bamboo rods? Moreover, why is it that the modern bamboo gurus, Nunnley, Oyster, Boyd, Cattenach, to name a few, no longer stress 'weight', with respect to their rods? Just like the graphite builders, they emphasize line weight.

Actually, the issue of rod weight, as we have been discussing it, is meaningless unless we establish specific criteria, such as rod length, type of ferrule (slip over vs spigot), materials (i.e., graphite generation), etc., as each has it's own bearing on the weight of the finished product.

Cheers!

[Silverexpress]

for any bamboo experts: I have been fishing on a 7wt Orvis Silver Label rod for many years. I do a lot of wild trout fishing and would like a light weight bamboo rod. Since I don't have to much money to spend, I have been searching for used rods and I have no idea how to know what is a good rod that I will enjoy fishing with and what is not. I am trying to stay below 200$ but not if it means i wont like what i get. Here are 9 rods I am thinking about buying. If anyone has time to tell me if any of them are worthwhile that would be very helpful, or order them in order that you think they are worth #'s 1-9 that would be ideal. Thank you very much for any help

Here is the order of rods i am thinking about getting:

1) Phillipson Pacemaker 8'6" bamboo fly rod ebay 113$
This is the rod I am leaning towards being built in colorado is a plus for me, but its a 5/6wt, something a little lighter might be better. not sure what it is worth. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Phillipson-P...item1c2b7d4ed4

2) Vintage Heddon 9' Black Beauty Split Bamboo Fly Rod - $200
I could go cast this rod before I buy it as it is close to where I live. looks pretty nice. i think there is a site that said its worth around 275$. http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/spo/3284029089.html
3) I am going to look a rod just like this one tomorrow. I haven't been able to find anything on Tiger Fly Fisher rods. I think it might be chinese. there were 0 bids on this rod for a 150$ minimum, since it is near my house i can go try it, might be able to get a deal? http://teo-rodsreels.blogspot.com/20...rom-china.html

4) There are many rods out there people have made that arnt well known rod builders. Some look nice, but how can I know how they cast.
hand made brook trout rod from novascotia 99$
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Custom-tonki...item43b3a3b7aa


5) And This one is tiny, might be fun, but its pretty short.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Bamboo-B...item1e72741074


6) Has anyone heard of Zhus rods? I haven't been able to find much, but the price makes me skeptical. someone did comment somewhere else that they are like casting with a broom stick.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zhus-Bamboo-...80737709334%26



Obviously Orvis rods are beautiful. not sure if I should spend the money tho.
7) http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Orvi...item2a23194d5c

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Orvis-Batten...item2322b8939b


9) http://www.ebay.com/itm/Orvis-Madiso...item2322b8cc40

Have you heard of this gentleman, R.W. Summers? His website is

http://www.rwsummers.com/aboutbob.htm

He will have a great deal of knowledge on used bamboo rods.

[Grizzly Wulff]

In today's used rod market the Orvis Battenkill and Madison rods can be found for under $400.00 and are an excellent place to start for anyone looking to purchase a bamboo rod. I fish a 7' 5 wt Battenkill Impregnated that weighs 3 3/8 oz and I paid under 300 for it. A quick check on eBay shows several rods that are in the price range I've mentioned.