I have recently been a little obsessed with cane rods, and would like to get one. I saw an earlier post about Elkhorn cane rods, and I emailed them, they were very helpful, even though their website is down. What other companies are out there that make reasonably priced cane rods? I have looked at some of the bigger name companies, and I can’t justify spending 1000-2000 thousand dollars just yet on a cane rod. If anyone has any suggestions or options I would love to hear them. Thanks.
Drew
A bum-legged old man and a drunk. That’s all you got?
That’s WHAT I got.
Another one’s about to bite the Dust.Ever since I got my hands on a Cane Rod I haven’t been able to put it down and have been adding to the Collection.Watch out it can be expensive!
Fishing Cane Rods are different from fishing Plastic.You have to SLOW DOWN and listen to your Rod!The Cane does the Casting for you and provides a wonderful feeling Graphite can’t!It’s weird,once you feel the Rod’s Actions it sticks to you.It’s a unique feeling with the “Right” Rod of Course.
There are a Number of Chinese Rods in affordable Pricing that maybe worth looking at but the Building,Cosmetics,Components and Hardware vary big time!You get what you Pay for in other words.The High End Price Rods are High Priced because your Paying for the Experience of the Cane Builder,Labor,High Grade Components,ETC.
However there’s a number of Builders that are worth looking into like Mcdowell & Channer.These Fellas offer Rods that Vary in Prices.2/1(2 Piece/Single Tip)Rods will be Cheaper than 2/2(2 Piece/2)Tip Rods but you lose at the end because if something happens to the Tip then you can’t fish the Rod anymore.Some of the Prices may be alittle High but it’s worth it in the end.Mcdowell Offers 2/1 Rods for $445 and 2 Tip Rods at $645 under his Blitzen River Rod Co.His Mcdowell Rods are more expensive.Channer’s Prices Vary however 2/1 runs some where in the $500’s and 2/2 in $700 but they “may” Negociate if you contact them.These Builders Build as Ordered so you can’t expect the Rods right away because it’ll be a few Months wait but it will be worth it in the End.
There’s a few other Guy’s like Lew Parks and Dick Hedges who offer very Affordable Rods!Both Builders are good and should catch on to the Cane World as their World is good.Lew Parks Rods Vary also but you’d Spend less than $600 on 2/2 Hollowbuilt depending on the situation.Hollowbuilt Rods Reduce the Rod’s Weight and adds Power to the Rod.Hollow Building is more time Consuming than the Standard Hex’s Counterparts.Other well Known Builders sell the Hollow Builts from $995-$1400.
A good Transitional Cane Rod is either a Quad(But is Expensive but a very unique Cane Rod).Differs from it’s Counter Parts.Hex Rod’s are Made from 5-6 Bamboo Strips while Hex Rods are made from Strips of Bamboo.Here’s a link showing the difference!http://www.wmharmsrods.com/articles.html
If your Interested in a Quad I know someone Selling a 7ft 4wt 2/2 used Quad for $650.00.The Blank was Built by a Pa Builder Named Tim Zietak.He is well known for his Quads!That Rod will blow any low Price Chinese Rod away!!!
If your Interested in any of these Cane Builders or the Quad Email me at flyfisher0112@yahoo.com and I’ll put you in touch with the Builders.Matter Fact just Email me.
You have gotten a ton of good advice. I am a particularly strong advocate of following the Classic Cane site listed above and gleaning as much information as possible from those folks.
The one other piece of advice that no one has offered is to see if you can find a cane fan near by so that you can test cast some of their rods. Cane rod actions vary even more than those of graphite rods. It is an excellent idea to test drive a few before you buy at least to get an idea of the range of actions and see which you like best.
Thanks everyone, great advice.
Rolemodel I sent you an email, but I don’t know if it went through, if you don’t get it, let me know and I will try again.
Drew
A bum-legged old man and a drunk. That’s all you got?
That’s WHAT I got.
I definatley would not say they are cheap but not in the 1-2k range that you stated, either. I’ve met the guy and seen his work. Vary nice! (The rods and the man.)
Yesterday a Rick Taupier 7’6" 5 weight in mint condition closed on ebay ~~ the final bid? $465.01. There was your deal. Keep looking they are out there.
Calrks aka Classic is a good Site!!You'll find a number to good Deals and Steals from time to time so keep looking.As Djo stated,see if there's a Cane Fan near you,I'm sure they will let you Cast a few of their Rods.However if you decide to Buy a Rod,most Builders apply a 3-Day Inspection with their Rods.Casting only if you Fish it it's yours.If your a Rod Bulder check out Mike Brooks(mibrooks27@msn.com)he Sells Cane Kits at $550 for a 2/2.The Kit includes a Cane Blank and all the Components need to finish the Rod.Talk to him about what type of fishing you'll be doing and he may be able point you to the right Rod for you.
I have email the gentleman at Trout Camp Rods, he is located about 30 miles from me, so it was very nice of you to send his name. As far as ebay I have bid on a few rods, but have not won any, I usually look at the South Bends, because on a earlier post there were some good comments about them, they also seem “cheaper” for a break in rod. But I guess that was the question I posed to Rolemodel was would it be better to get a less expensive (I don’t mean cheap) rod to begin with, or get a high end used model, or get a new rod? I am sure there will be a bunch of different opinions, and I appreciate them all. Thanks again for your time.
Drew
A bum-legged old man and a drunk. That’s all you got?
That’s WHAT I got.
You will eventually find a rod you like…then you’re probably ruined. I have a few decent graphite rods and one old glass rod. They’re all more than adquate…and are gathering dust since I acquired my two cane rods.
The Orvis, Madison is a good cane rod and as stated, it’s impregnated and not terribly expensive.
"But I guess that was the question I posed to Rolemodel was would it be better to get a less expensive (I don't mean cheap) rod to begin with, or get a high end used model, or get a new rod?"
You have to answer this yourself!It all depends on what your willing to Spend,You by no means have to get a New Rod.
I don’t know anything about Troutcamp but can say get there and Cast every Rod you can!When you find the Rod,you’ll know.Ask the Builder for References of past Buyers and check in with them.Then see what type of Warranty he offers.
If your Surfing Ebay I suggest you check out Ebay Seller Lew Parks(Ebay Name is icp7013).I purchased a Dickerson Hollowbuilt 7612(without ever holding one)from him and was very pleased with the Rod!!It;s a Med Fast Rod and well worth having.Hell Email him and tell him your Interested to see if he has any “Demo’s” which would be cheaper.
On the Second Link is a Link for REALLY CHEAP CANE ROD’S !You may want to check it out if you cant spend much but remember!'YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"!!!If you do purchase one.Try to Cast and ompare the Rod to an American Made Rod,you see and feel the difference.Hope this helps.
Well, Vic (“Sharps”) is right…when I got mine, he told me I was ruined for life. He wasn’t kidding! I fully intend to have ALL my flyfishing friends fish mine t least once…it is an “experience”!
Also, I think Dleo6446 will be making some inexpensive canes as JC said…they would be well worth waiting for.
Mike
There are a number of builders who will build you a excellent high quality cane rod for under $1000. Most will be hand planed and you should be able to get your rod in a few months. Getting a rod from one of these part-time builders is a joy indeed. I would highly recommend a visit to the chat room on thursday evening, at any given night there are 6 or more builders there. You can ask as many questions as you want, they enjoy sharing thier expertise and will help you the decide which taper/style you want. I’m not a fan of buying the mass produced Chinese stuff, however they are getting better.