If your shopping for a bamboo fly rod don’t buy from a guy who’s name is Ken. the Rod company name is Otter Creek Custom Rods. The rod shows up with a cork large enough for a 8wt 10’ rod on a 7’-2" 4wt and I ask him about it he says well thats how I make them. Well I take it to a rod builder in my own area to have him turn before he’s even touched the rod he calls me up and says the rod is pourly built has a crooked reel seat 1/4" off from being built. Well I email the builder and all he has to say is tough it’s your rod. This is his ebay moniker so you can avoid the problems I have now. kenb8437 avoid this pour quality rod builder and do yourself a favor if you know this guy say hey what’s the deal? Can’t stand behind your work? He builds in Coopersville MI
Hi Redband,
I’m sorry that the rod didn’t live up to your expectations. I’m always suspicious of home crafted goods that are sold on eBay. There are a lot of people trying to make money with their hobbies in these trying financial times and many of those people don’t have much talent or skill. Sounds like you ran into such a person. It’s a pretty poor business practice to leave a customer like yourself unhappy. 8T 
Redband,
I agree with everthing eight thumbs had to say about your predicament.
I would offer this suggestion to any first time bamboo rod buyers.
Please study and research bamboo rods and makers before you take the plunge. Do not be in a hurry. Please remember that there are many, many, great bamboo fishing rods out there that are used, but not abused. You do not have to have a new rod to have a really good fishing rod. I speak from experience! Most of the time you can find a better taper for less than the cost of most new rods. As for the offshore rods and blanks…well, I’m not going to go there! As a plus, fishing with a rod that may easily be 70 years old will give you a new perspective on the silent sport!
Look at Granger, Heddon, Orvis, some South Bends, and others for an introductory rod into bamboo. Learn what to look for in a good fishable rod and the questions to ask of the seller.
Visit the Classic Fly Rod Forum and don’t be reluctant to ask questions and post a “wanted to buy” when you have decided what rod you want to fish.
Or post it here, or ask questions here, before you make a mistake with a not so reputable seller.
Bamboo rods are my passion. …poor bamboo rods and dealers in them are my gall!
Beware, bamboo rods can become a very consuming passion!!!
Bob
I spent almost 6 months studying different tapers and asked thousands of questions before finally making my purchase. I always go by the moniker that if it sounds to good to be true than it probably is. If you ever decide that you want another rod let me know. I can give the e-mail to the guy that made mine. Could not have asked for a better person to build mine. I am sure that our e-mails numbered into the hundreds and pics. Good luck and don’t give up.
redband, can you post the link to the auction where you won this rod? has the rod been altered since you have received it? ebay has a resolution center that can help you in dealing with the seller. also, paypal has a dispute system that could result in a refund for you if the seller misrepresented his rod. i am sure there are time constraints on these options though and would most likely be void if you have altered the rod since you received it. if the issues were something you noticed right away, should have emailed the seller and told him you intended to file a complaint with ebay and paypal if he did not rectify the situation immediately. still, ultimate responsibility rests with the buyer to ensure his customer is happy and sounds like this guy is someone to avoid.
I certainly appreciate your situation, however I will say you do have to have realistic expectations. I just took a look on Ebay and it appears like this guy regularly sells his 2 tip hand made rods for less than $150. If you figure the cost (conservatively) of components (cork, reel seat, ferrules, guides, thread, varnish, etc) to be $40. A bamboo culm is probably at least $20. Looks like he also includes a rod bag, another $5. Looks like he gives free shipping on at least some of his rods, there is another $10 or so, plus whatever the cost of his packaging. So we are looking at about $75 for his total labor. Most places charge at least $50 just to wrap a finished blank.
Unless he likes to work for nothing, he’s got to be cutting corners someplace. As with most things, when we make buying decisions based on price, we have to expect less than top line quality.
BTW, his Ebay positive rating is 100% with 220 reviewers.
Just for the record, I have no idea who this fellow is, and I have no idea about the quality of his rods or workmanship. So please take all my comments generically.
I’m guessing this was the rod you purchased. Why would a new rod that is marked 7’-6" be sold as a 7’-2"?
I don’t see much recourse available. The ebay listing doesn’t imply exceptional craftsmanship, and there is no evidence of outward deception that I can infer. The listing does show a paltry 3-day return privilege, and he would likely stand by that if ebay stepped in.
According to his webpage, his rods start at $599 w/bag & tube. I’d venture that his special rods go to ebay. In his mind, you got a good deal. He states “my work is impeckable[sic]”, and he uses “premiem”[sic] cork. I especially like the way he reverses the Fenwick grip. I just see red flags.
He says his orders will be personalized. How would you like your name [mis]spelled?
Since the experience has left you with such a bad feeling, you might just go ahead and find a buyer for it.
I do like how he offers Winston and T&T blanks. I’m sure these same companies would be interested, too.
I felt I was going to get a rod that was fishable and was aware that not all rods are made equal since I am scared to fish my 7ft Winston 4wt and have broken a Leanard in the past. I looked at all of his feed back and assumed it would be a good who cares if I break it kind of rod. However upon inspection of the rod the reel seat is a 1/4" off center making the rod unfishable all the line guides wraps not one of them matched in size. The tip top was bent and the rod had no winding check the rod tube was 4 inches longer than what the rod required, I know alot of this is cosmetic however if you are going to take the time to build a rod make then pleasing to look at as well as fishable, after several discussion with him the rod will be going back and a refund will be sent. (a leason learned don’t shop for my fly fishing stuff off line and stay local)
I live real close to Coopersville and routinely work up there. I have never heard of this builder. Can you PM me any other info on him?
Thanks
Some rod builders are craftsmen, others are artists. It’s rare indeed to have both in one builder, thus the premium prices some can get for their rods.