The Weekend Bamboo Fly Rod Roundup: Sweet Grass Rods and TVA
By Tom Chandler on Jan 20, 2007 in bamboo
Bamboo fly rods seem to be much on the minds of fly fishers this winter.
My Winston rods/Sweet Grass rods post drew several comments, and then I woke up this morning to discover that Hawgdaddy at the TVA blog is now jonesing for a bamboo fly rod.
I’d love to warn him to turn his back on the damned things and save himself, but in truth, they’re a pleasure to fish.
The darker truth is they’re only slightly less addictive than crack, and only marginally more socially acceptable.
The Underground’s advice? Get a nice 8′ 5wt, and fish it everywhere. You’ll be surprised. From the TVA:
Then there’s that suspicion that taking up bamboo rods is all part of that natural progression of the fly fisher. As you continue to delve more and more deeply into the sport, you begin to develop a fondness for the “traditional” things like natural fly tying materials, casting dries to rising trout, a love for Catskill patterns even though others might be more effective, and yes, bamboo rods. It feels like something you must do, assuming you want to continue along the path to becoming a “real” fly fisherman. You may not even really have a choice about it. You just wake up one day short $700 with a bamboo rod propped beside your bed. And you feel pretty darn good about it, too!
Read more at: The Tennessee Valley Angler - Bamboo Outsider: An Essay
Also, some had questions about the price of the new Sweet Grass rods.
The idea was those who paid $3200 for a Winston only to find they could purchase the same rod from Sweet Grass at half the price would have some cause to mutter under their breath.
It’s not quite as bad as that; I ran through the Sweet Grass Web site and discovered:
Our two-piece two tip rods are $2000. Our three-piece two-tip rods are $2500. Custom orders will be done on a quote basis
Personally? For that kind of money I’d get a Jimmy Reams. He’s obsessive, and his hollowbuilt tapers are to die for.
For a chunk less there are a lot of other good builders, and I suppose I’m going to have to write a “Beginner’s Guide to Bamboo” article, if only to make sure the Undergrounders spend their money foolishly and end up in the poorhouse like your friendly neighborhood writer.
See you at the poorhouse (bamboo rod in hand), Tom Chandler.
Technorati Tags: bamboo, bamboo fly rod, sweet grass, sweet grass fly rod, jim reams, tva, winston, winston fly rods
hawgdaddy | Jan 21, 2007 | Reply
Tom,
You should definitely write that article. As much as I want a bamboo rod, I’m pitifully ignorant about all the options out there. The number of makers and styles is mind-boggling. Take care and thanks for mentioning my essay,
hawgdaddy
madmax | Jan 21, 2007 | Reply
Being a novice to bamboo it would really help to advise and educate those of us who just dont know about bamboo. I for one would greatly appreciate knowing before placing an order . New to the form hope to be a regular madmax.
Tom Chandler | Jan 21, 2007 | Reply
That’s two votes for. I’m in. All I need is time.
Seriously, I’ll get around to it. Give me a chance to operate just like the major magazines; I can wrench on bamboo rod builders to buy advertising, subtly implying that a big buy means a big mention… 8-)
richard elmore | Mar 15, 2007 | Reply
I have an old split bamboo rod that I inherited from my father. I am 58 now and can remember it as a 6 year old child. It is a two piece w/ cork handle. Other than one ferrul missing, it is in very nice condition. It rolled up in a cloth, as well as in an aluminum screw end holder. There is also a spare tip. I am wanting to find out what it is worth and who might be the buyers for this… Can any one help??? relmore@centurytel.net
Tom Chandler | Mar 15, 2007 | Reply
The best place to go for more information is the Bamboo fly rod board. I know quite a bit about some “classic” rod brands (Phillipson, Granger, etc), but very little about most of the Eastern rods.
To get any useful help, you’ll probably need to have some clear pictures of the grip, the reel seat, the ferrules, and any writing on the rod.
http://p205.ezboard.com/bclarksclassicflyrodforum
Hope that helps!
Tim | Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
I have a dumb question, just fly fished for the first time in Jackson Hole and loved it. Now what beginner gear do I buy to fish TN. Any help would be great.
Thanks
Tom Chandler | Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
I’ll be blunt; if you’re beginner, I’m not sure bamboo is the best choice. They’re pricey and they require some maintenance.
There are a lot of great rods out there, but the key is this: where in Tennessee areyou planning to fish?
In Tennessee, you’ve basically got three places to fish: lakes, the tailwaters, and the smaller streams and rivers of the Smokies.
You could cover almost all of the state with two rods (a 9′ 5wt or 6wt for tailwaters and lakes, and an 8′ 4wt for the park).
If you want specific recommendations, it’s best to contact me via the “Contact” page.