Bamboo rods can be had for not much more than a good graphite if you do find a good deal. I purchased a "show" rod from Doug Kulick at Kane Klassics (www.kaneklassics.com) and it is my favorite small stream rod. I bought two rods from a WA rod-maker, Michael Dull, at the Washington Trout auctions two year running and think I only spent about $700 on the most expensive of those and the money benefited one of my favorite non-profits. One of these, a 7 1/2' 5-weight is the rod I use probably 75% of the time, even after having it break once at Rocky Ford last year on a big fish (I managed to land the fish!) and getting it repaired.
Check out the catalog by Bob Corsetti of Nashua, NH (603-886-0411) he's got old classic rods as well as new rods that range from a few hundred to a few thousand and sell blanks for $425 if you want to build your own. I bought a Taylor pack-rod from Bob and take it backpacking and travelling everywhere. OK, you can tell I have a thing for bamboo, I blame John Geirach. I like the feel of it much more and usually opt to fish bamboo except when the wind is totally kicking or when I'm in a drift boat, then I want my fast action old Sage 590. I fish a Sage SP 586 now some too when I'm in huge fish country or when I want something with a bit more length to it. Tim -----Original Message----- From: Kent Lufkin [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Monday, December 10, 2001 2:30 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: I don't have the patience for bamboo and silk line. Gary, I'm intrigued about the description of your McVey rod. But having recently seen bamboo rod prices exceeding $2,500, I'm curious to know how much 'a song' might be in real dollars. I'd love to try a bamboo rod but not at that kind of price. Is it possible to find a good quality new bamboo rod for the price of a mid-range graphite? I've also seen some older bamboo rods whose various sections have become warped, presumably due to poor storage, heat, or humidity. Is it possible to have them repaired at an economical price? Thanks, Kent Lufkin >Mike, > >I don't quite understand your comment about having to have patience for >Bamboo. I couldn't care less about using silk line but a good bamboo rod is >something else entirely. I have a 7 1/2' 4 weight made by Peter McVey (Of >Corbett Lake, BC) that is probably the nicest casting rod I have ever cast. >I got it for a song at the Seattle Sportsmen's show a few years ago from >Peter. I wish I had bought all of the ones he had with him! When I purchased >the rod I had intended to get a Winston 3 weight. After casting Peters >bamboo it was no contest. The rod simply wants to cast by itself and leads >you to do it right. If you try to push it too hard it will simply say >"RELAX, I'll take care of it" and simply dump the line at your feet :) >However if you let it guide you into its rhythm then the line will fly out >of the guides and shoot exactly where you want it to go. I have cast other >reeds since I got this one and they will all do this to some extent (I also >have an OLD Wright McGill Granger I got at a garage sale for $20 several >years ago that casts like this). With a graphite rod you don't get this >wonderful feeling. When ever I can I will always opt for a reed over >graphite. It is just more relaxing to fish with. :) > >Gary Johnson >Sr. Software Engineer >NetUpdate, Inc. >www.NetUpdate.Com >www.LoanUpdate.Com
