Tradition
Excerpt from Chapter 4: Constructing Cane Rods
By Ray Gould
Published by Frank Amato Publications
Thanks for use permission!
Tradition
There seems to be something magical about a cane
fly rod. It's rooted in the tradition and love associated with
the bamboo itself. Having fished with rods of fiberglass,
graphite, steel and bamboo there is nothing that gives the
same feel and sensation as that wonderful reel
Arundaria amabilis.
Perhaps it's the respect the fly fisher senses when
handling a fly rod hand-crafted with loving care, and knowing
that each rod is an individual work of art, different from any
other. Or maybe it is thoughts about the rod as a family
heirloom or remembrances about how Dad used to fish with
this same rod. Cane rods are usually handled with care and
thoughtfulness as if to guard the intrinsic and unseen value of
the instrument. It isn't uncommon to hear fly fishers talking to
the trout and sometimes even to the cane rod itself as they
fish to a nearby rise.
Yet most noticeable to those who cast the cane rod
is how it seems to work for the fly fisher. The transmission
of the power is very apparent as the rod loads up during
the back cast and then fires out the line with accuracy and
precision. As the sense of rhythm and timing is developed
the bamboo makes it easy to put the fly where it's needed.
Indeed there is a certain difference in the sensation
when the hook is set and the fight is on. It seems the whole rod
helps take the load as it comes alive during battle, straining with
every run of the trout and reaching deep to absorb the shock
of the rainbow's leap. Could it be that the cane rod gives the
trout a better chance and makes the contest even more
exciting?
Yes, tradition indeed plays a major role in the life of a
bamboo rod. It's the essence of the romance of fly fishing
days gone by. ~ Ray Gould
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