I purchased a low cost Montague 3 peice 9’ bamboo that’s straight with the idea of refinishing it and making it pretty. I didn’t want to spend much with this first one as I figured a learning curve may be part of all this so I wanted to keep the price down. It’s a three peice and the guides, ferrels and all seem to be in good shape but I’d like to change everything just so I gain the experience so any links to the items needed would be GREAT! I want to or would prefer to change this rod up some and since I only got like $35 in the rod I really don’t care if I screw it up! Any idea’s on what I should do, use, where to get the parts I need like a pretty new reelseat and cork grip and so forth? Can I make it a 7’6" rod? Like I said this is a first but I want to give it a try. Any help would be appreciated!
Here’s my suggestion: take that rod fishing! Honestly, if that rod is in good shape, I wouldn’t mess with it. Go fish with it, see if you like the 'boo, and then find yerself a “project” rod (one that needs a lot of work) if you’re REALLY wanting to get into the rod refurbishing/restoration. Heck, I’ve probably got one around here that would work for that. But again, I’d not mess with that rod if it’s in fishable condition.
I would agree with Joe. If the rod is as good as you say I wouldnt mess with it either. What model is it? It will probably throw a 6 or 7wt. If you want to play with it, check out the sponsers here on FAOL. Theyll have what you need.
I only purchased it cause it was straight, cheap and had all the hardware. It’s too worn around the label to tell what it is but I figure it weighs about 5-5.5 ounces and it’s 9’ so I figured the longer length would give me some options. I did assume it’s for throwing a 6-7 weight line. What I really want is about a 7’6" 4-5 weight rod. I will fish with it regardless of it being pretty or not! I won’t let a rod DIE just sitting around
If I wanted to restore it somewhat, what do you do to make it nice and pretty? I want to refinish the Bamboo and redo the Guides and put a decent looking reel seat and new cork on it. I want to strip the Bamboo finish and redo it but I want the finish to FLEX. Can I cut this rod down to be about a 7’6 or so rod and take some of the butt section out to make is lighter and cast maybe a 5 weight line? Where can I order a reel seat for a Bamboo rod? Thanks for all the help!
Just shortening the rod may not make it a lighter line weight…that’s based more on the taper than the length, and that’s not really going to change by shortening the rod. If you’re really wanting a shorter rod, you could make this into a “banty” rod by just using the tip and mid sections. As for your supply questions:
You can get guides, cork, etc… here: http://www.goldenwitch.com
You can get your reelseat here:
http:/www.genuinebellinger.com
And you can get what you need to refinish it (citrus stripper, steel wool and spar varnish)at any hardware store. Best of luck. Let us know how we can help.
Billy
I’m not too far ahead of you when it comes to experience, but figured I would throw my 2c’s in anyways. You?re already getting some great advice.
I picked up some of my component parts on ebay. I bought a few reel seats from there, some cork rings, and also some nice silver guides. I have also made some purchases from Goldenwitch…they really have the best stuff there, but you pay for it. I would also suggest http://www.flyrodcrafters.com/servlet/StoreFront
I actually had a problem finding spar varnish locally, but found a good resource online here: http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/
My hardware store only sold it by the Gallon for about $50. I bought 500ml and do not think i’ll be running out for the 10 or 12 rods I’m planning on refinishing.
Also a really great place to get some information is the back posts on this BB. I got a lot of answers just using the search function. This: http://www.bamboorodmaking.com/html/tips.html
is also a really great place to start.
I’m actually working right now on my second and third refurbs, both of which are banty’s. This stuff is a ton of fun. I grin every time I look at the one I finished already, the dang thing just looks great. Best of luck and ask lots of questions.
just quick scanning this whole thread, and having been there done that, I will throw my 2 cents in to the circle (according to the government, by the way, the penny is now worth 1.23 cents and haveing said that, this advice may be in ths same rnnge…
restoration or reworking a rod is a lot of fun, it does take some skills but more diligence than anything else, and of course asking a lot of questions. Going back to your basic question, I do tend to agree with Joe to a point, that if the rod is in ok condition and is fishable, then take her fishing. On the other hand, if you bought it with the intention of rebuilding it to increase your skills and to improve it, then go for it. Montagues rods were not known for being the top of the line rods, often lacking in enough guides, too heavy, and the list goes on…but if you plan on this becoming a hobby, then by all means play a little with it as far as component upgrades, new grip, seat, more guides, etc. As far as cutting it down to make a 7’6" rod out of it…I don’t think you would be very pleased with the results. In order to do that you would have to refurrle the rod and the length would mean that you are taking 6 inches out of each section and THAT would mean that ferruling a section would be very hard to do because the mating ferrules would have too much of a difference in them to be able to source them, or you would have to cut too much power fiber out to make the ferrules fit…either way is a curse to success.
As far as parts go, there are a number of the sponsers on here that have some of the parts that you would need, if not all. Reel seats, guides, cork, etc. is available from most of them. If you need to get ferrules, you would probably have to look elsewhere.
Back to PhotoJoes point…now…
You only have $35 invested so far, and you have a rod that is apparantly in pretty good condition…why don’t you go fish that bad boy and see if it is really a rod that you want to “practice” on before you start. You may have a sleeper there that will become a favorite of yours in the future, and only you can make that decision…
Good idea guy’s and thanks for all the advice. Also purchased a South Bend 357 8’6" Dry Fly to toy with. Will see what happens and I’ll decide on what to do soon…
the original handle section is almost finished now . I will have the orig rod and the new handle section for smaller water. A friend gave me an old piece of bamboo and a freeule I coul d use to make the handle section in the pics
this one was an undesirable rod according to most folks who responded. It turned out very well and i will try it on a small stream Sun.
Ok, I have (2) SB#359 a 3:2 and 3:1. I’m going to go and break one of them now just to make a “short” rod. Just kidding. :lol: ZZ, the short handle looks…wicked (picking up my 8-yr old’s language)!
