I was just using Ebay stating you’d be Lucky to Sell one for $75.00.However there are tons of Chinese Built Rod on Ebay you’d have a field day!Many go for less than $100.Just so a search of Bamboo Fly Rods.Just for the Record,I’ve never seen a Elkhorn Rod on Ebay that I can Recall.I’ve seen Rifflewater,Troutcamp,Tea stick and other no-names.
Role, then maybe oneday, cast a Elkhorn, then decide, that’s all, that plane and simple, maybe they got the off shore thing down???
No, no, no, no!
The information posted on Chinese rods is a gross generalization.
I have no association with Elkhorn whatsoever, never cast one, never met any of the folks who make them, but my understanding from those who know is that Chinese rodbuilding quality control VARIES GREATLY. There were a couple companies over the last few years making some pretty crappy products. Elkhorn has surprised a lot of people because the rods they are selling are very well made. Thramers? No. Harry Boyds? Notta. But fishable, decent rods.
That’s an unfair generalization against the company.
Also, be aware that A.J. has been having SERIOUS trouble lately with folks selling Chinese rods claiming to be Thramers!
[url=http://www.native-waters.com:1e0b5]http://www.native-waters.com[/url:1e0b5]
[This message has been edited by RStouff (edited 15 June 2005).]
Bassflyrod, you are really out of line.
I own a very nice Ron Kusse Quad…do you think for one instant I asked him exactly what the taper is? Or what his ‘stagger’ is, or what he wrapped it with and why?
Over my 57 years of fly fishing, I have cast, owned and fished more cane rods than you have seen in your lifetime. Including rods from most of the ‘famous’ makers. I am perfectly capable of telling someone if a rod is junk or not. If we thought the Elkhorn cane rods were junk we would not say they are just fine. We don’t lie. My Kusse Quad is priced well above what most people would even consider paying for a cane rod, and I am delighted to see a nice new entry level cane rod being offered to the average guy who would like to try cane.
You are not an expert either, and shame on you for your rude, arrogant comments.
[This message has been edited by LadyFisher (edited 15 June 2005).]
And for those asking about details on the Elkhorn Cane rods, try this: [url=http://www.elkhornflyrods.com/bamboo.html:8dfca]http://www.elkhornflyrods.com/bamboo.html[/url:8dfca]
LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
Uhhhh, this thread started getting ugly awhile back. Wasn’t necessary. The original question was fairly simple and the answers TO THAT QUESTION could have been just that simple. In fact, I have no idea why anyone would even weigh in on this thread if they have had no experience with Elk Horn rods. Having said that, I’m weighing in to try and defuse what’s becoming an explosive situation. Bear in mind, most of the equipment we use and like, is very subjective.
Allan
Gee…I’ve got to say that I find it ironic that Bassflyrodder and Rolemaker slams LF for making a short statement that could be construed as plugging a sponsor and then goes on to write a thesus on his evidently a friend and favorite rod maker…Sorry but I’ve never heard of AJ back here in the East although I am sure he must make a decent rod or he wouldn’t have sold 1,500 of them. I did bristle a bit at the over the top somewhat nasty remark about Lady Fisher not knowing rods. But to turn a thread on Elkhorn into a plug for your personal choice of rod builders??? I think you should have probably kept your remarks to your thought on the inexpensive Elkhorn which you have apparently never even cast at a show pool…I just don’t get it…
[This message has been edited by mantis (edited 15 June 2005).]
[This message has been edited by mantis (edited 15 June 2005).]
I was going to jump into this discussion earlier and decided not to but let me say this about the original question. I own 4 Thramer rods (Thramer built the blanks, I did the build out) and in addition to that I have built and sold several others over tha past 3 years, all of which had those people ranting and raving over the way the rod cast and felt. I also have fished the Elkhorn Bamboo in a taper very similar to Allens DX taper and I have to say that I was more than pleased with the way it fished and looked. Just because it came from China doesn’t take away from what it is and with drastically increasing levels of quality it is not a product to be scoffed at. So did you pass up a deal? Don’t know what kind of show special you had offered to you but if it was less than list, you probably did. Could you pick up a Thramer built rod for that? nope! would you be happy with the Elkhorn bamboo? Who knows, that is why God made apples and oranges. The rod you would be pleased with may not arouse excitement in anyone else. The big question is, if you tried it at the show, and liked it, are you sorry passed on it?
I personally love to fish with a grass stick. I think the connection to the stream bed and the fish is best with bamboo. That being said, I do have several graphites, and I enjoy them all. However, the reed gives me more pleasure than any other. I think if you want to find your way into the cane experience, (at an exceptionally affordable price)Elkhorn is a good way to go.
BUT
If you have the where-with-all, I think the best way to get into cane is Mr Kusse’s Black Troll. Here’s the link; [url=http://www.ronkusse.com/blacktroll.html:65eba]http://www.ronkusse.com/blacktroll.html[/url:65eba]
I would personally liquidate almost all my graphite rods for this one.
A free gift waits for those who ask.
Lotech Joe
I have followed this thread from the beginning at work and now I think it is time for all of us who own a bamboo rod to take it to the river, lake, pond, mudhole, etc, and just go fishing and enjoy our bamboo rods and not worry about who made them. If it is your rod and you like it, that is exactly the rod you should own. Just my opinion for what it is worth.
Warren
Leo & Warren…my 2 Tennessee buddies have hit the nail on the head, IMHO. As you know, Dot Man recently gave me a South Bend 291 4 pc 6 wt vintage 1940’s boo…my first. Regardless where it stacks up in a “quality” range or “collectability/value” range, I LOVE the thing! I am fishing with a very special tool, a piece of history, & I can now better understand the love affairs you experienced bamboo fishers have with the rods. Sort of like buying a car…if I feel like I made a great buy, then damnit, I made a great buy! “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”.
Mike
Mike,
FYI, Elkhorn has offered this special for several years running at their shows and I hope that they might do so again. I have boght their graphite rods and like them and their company quite a bit. Would not hesitiate to recommend Elkhorn as a company. As for their 'boo, I know nothing, did not cast it, in fact have rarely ever cast 'boo so I fall into the category of no opinion.
jed
Just to close the loop here, I did take my 7.5’ 4wt Elkhorn bamboo out last night and lawn cast it side by side with my 7 ft 4 wt Orvis TLS and swapped lines back and forth. My initial conscerns about different lines appears largely unfounded. The biggest thing is that the two rods cast at different speeds (duh!) and you just have to pay attention to your casting. The graphite rod seemed to lay out line just SLIGHTLY better in the 15-25 ft range than the Elkhorn, but not so much better that it is even worth worrying about. At this point, I think I have fully taken the Elkhorn rod through the paces (fished it several times under varying conditions, landed several fish and have lawn cast it several times in side by side comparisons with a similar size and wt graphite). I can wholeheartedly recommend these rods as a very good fishing rod and for the price I paid, an outstanding value. It handles itself very well. How does it cast as compared with other bamboo rods? I don’t know, because I have never cast any other bamboo rods. But as a customer of Elkhorn I am very happy and would recommend them without reservation. A great entry level rod.
There is no way that an Elkhorn, or any mass produced rod, can compare to a well made custom rod
As far as aesthetics, no they don’t compare. But as far as casting, they certainly can. I can’t speak for a modern-day mass produced rod such as the Elkhorn, but if you’ve ever casted some of the old “production” rods such as an old Granger, you might be pleasantly surprised. I casted a 7.5’ Granger Special at a show this past winter, and was shocked at how sweet that thing threw a 4 weight line. I didn’t expect a mass produced rod to be so nice.
Jeff
I work only so that I can afford to fish
[url=http://nwcttu.tripod.com:c1006]http://nwcttu.tripod.com[/url:c1006]
Northwest CT TU web site
One more thing - do you folks think the wonderful Leonard rods were made one at a time by the little Keibler elves in the hollow tree? They were mass produced. Duh.
LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
LF,I respect that you have 57 years of Fly Fishing Experience but you somethimes so things that cause people to attack you which I’m not going to do!However,your comment on Allen Thramer made me ask myself if you knew anything about Modern Rod Builders!Your Comment made me think maybe you are a Sponsor for Elkhorn Rods making sense to why you’d a a comment like that about Thramer. Mantis"Rolemaker"??Please I’m not Childess to start something based on my own Opinion!I stated why I don’t like Chinese Built Rods and left it at that!!!I never took at shot at anyone nor did I offend anyone!I’m not a firend to Thramer but Respect his Work!His Handplaning work that is,just like Weiler,Taylor,Kusse,Mcdowell,Perrigo,Venneri,Duck etc.
Now Comments on Mass Production!
Granger Rods-What is the Difference between Grangers and Chinese Built Rods??Quality,Cosmetics,need I say more?
Lf another one of your comments that would have people take cheap shots at you!
Leonard!Who was the Vice President of HL Leonard Rods(& Builder)Ron Kusse!Need I say more?YouR trying to compare apples to grapes!
You cant compare Grangers-Leonards to Teastick Rods or Elkhorns!
This is old!If you own a Elkhorn and love it great!Thats all that matters.You can only spend what your Pocket allows!There were a few people here who own Elkhorns that replied saying they Loved them,were they attacked for their Opinion?No!Bamboo can be addicting!Once those who have Bamboo Rods decide to purchase more Rods from known Builders.Then they will understand.
Serius though lets end this Thread on a good note!
Sorry, wrong again. Why would you think Ron Kusse hand-plans his rods? You might want to read this:
[url=http://www.flyanglersonline.com/features/bamboo/part125.html:27a42]http://www.flyanglersonline.com/features/bamboo/part125.html[/url:27a42]
Again, since you have not admittedly cast an Elkhorn cane, perhaps you should have just stayed out of the discussion. Your comments are much like the person who has never cast a cane rod saying “I hate cane rods, they are all slow and wimpy.”
I will close out my comments here by saying this was Al Campbells’ very pet peave - someone who just had to get their 2 cents worth by putting something in to answer a question which had nothing to do with the question.
If you have not cast or owned an Elkhorn cane rod you should not have answered the original question at all, much less bashed them or other rods in favor of your buddies rods.
That said, discussion is closed.
LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL