Can someone help me evaluate used Bamboo Rods?

[rwabdu]

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

[Ray Kunz]

I'd be suspicious of any rod in the six foot length area. Many are rebuilts from the mid and tip sections of longer rods.

[aged_sage]

Responding with comments on each and every rod listed is a tall order, as some warrant more comment than others.

In short, the Japanese rods made after WW II as a major 'sell' item to occupying US forces are typically looked down upon, and don't bring much on eBay. However, there are some good ones that may suit your needs and wants. I have refinished three over the past couple of years for individuals who are keeping them as mementos. All cast quite well; but I did not fish them. Attention to detail was lacking onal three. If you bid on eBay, just make sure you can return it if not satisfied. Most sellers today have a "NO RETURN" policy.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the 2-piece 6ft +/- "rebuilt" rods from the mid- and tip sections of a longer rod. There is definitely a fishing niche for them. They are fantastic for small streams and for harassing bluegills in a small pond. I have two that I have made, and they are my standard 'go to' rods for the ponds in my neighborhood. I would NOT use them for large streams/rivers or for trying to throw large bugs and poppers!

Anything by Heddon, Granger, the Wright-McGill Grangers and even some Montagues, Horrocks-Ibbotsons (H-I), and Southbends are great rods. The Heddon Black Beauty is a highly sought after rod. Today's bamboo enthusiast definitely prefers rods that are no longer than 8 1/2 feet. Therefore, a 9 ft rod will not command as much as an 8 or 8 1/2ft rod, everything else being equal.

The Zhu rods are Chinese made, and are relatively new on the market. The jury is still out on them. The majority of the detractors are those who are making bamboo rods for the market. It just depends upon who you ask, as to the answer you will get.

The ideal site for posting your questions is: classicflyrodforum.com; and don't be either surprised or shocked by some of the responses you will get.

If you can put your hands on a copy of Michael Sinclair's book "BAMBOO ROD RESTORATION HANDBOOK", the basic information contained therein will be most enlightening and helpful in your ultimate choice of rods.

GOOD LUCK!

[rwabdu]

Thank you! I have my eyes on a few. this is really helpful.

[NewTyer 1]

I have a friend in Indonesia who makes great rods out of local bamboo. I am having a 7' 4wt Quad built for $200. You might check out his Facebook page. Look for Gesit Bamboo Rods

[bobbyg]

If you're looking for a lightweight bamboo rod then neither the Phillipson nor the Heddon will meet that requirement.

I don't have my reference books on bamboo rods (they're currently packed away) but the Heddon is going to weigh approx. 6 oz.

The 2 3/4F ferrule design is for heavy trout on big water or maybe bass bugging. The Phillipson will most probably surpass 5 oz. when the weight of the reel seat is added.

My suggestion would be to continue looking. A good lightweight bamboo rod for $200.00 is going to be hard to find.

Look for rods that only have a single tip and are in good, fishable condition possibly minus the original bag and tube.
These are all things that will devalue the rod. Anything over eight foot in length is probably not going to be what you're
looking for.......in your price range.


Good luck. There are still a few bargains to be found but they are few and far between.
Be glad to help you out on anything else you come across.

[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.