Guess it’s a day for Underground commerce; I helped bamboo fly rod builder George Maurer build his new Web site, and it just went live.
I suggest visiting the site and buying one (or more) of George’s bamboo rods (why not — industry surveys suggest you’re a largely wealthy lot, and if not, well… your kids don’t really need really college anyway).
In an earlier post, I mentioned falling in love with George’s 8′ “Trout Bum Light,” and I’ll write a full review on his 8’3″ version of the rod as soon as it arrives.
I consider it the most civilized variation of the Paul Young Para-15 I’ve ever cast, and the rod was featured in John Gierach’s essay “Lost Rod” — where the very first Trout Bum rod produced was stolen on its way to John’s house.
See you waiting for the UPS man, Tom Chandler.
[tags]fly fishing, bamboo fly rod, fly rod, george maurer, sweetwater[/tags]
Tom-
A fantastic job on George’s site! George helped me build my first rod last year and is a really easy guy to spend a week or so planing bamboo, etc. I’m really glad to see he has an updated site and hope it helps him sell his wonderful casting rods.
If you can ever get out to Cammal it’s worth the trip. George’s house and shop is in a cute small town in an incredibly beautiful valley with a fantastic river to fish with great brookie feeder streams.
Regards, Steve Altshuler
Steve Altshuler(Quote)
Thanks for posting, Steve. Outside of Garrison’s book, George has probably taught more people how to build bamboo fly rods than anyone else.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Great job on the website! I own an 8′ 4wt Queen of the Waters. It is a wonderful rod, the description on his website covers it all. I’ed like to get another rod from him, but I cant make up my mind on which one. I look forward to your review on his Trout Bum light.
regards, Bruce
Bruce(Quote)
Wish I had the chance to cast the 8′ 4wt, but then, I already own Chris Raine’s exceptional 8’3″ hollowbuilt 4wt, and you only need so many exceptional rods.
His 8’3″ version of the Trout Bum Lt is called the Paradise Valley Special. Pretty name; should be interesting.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
My compliments on the update to the website. A great site to match some wonderful rods. I have George’s Trout Bum light and if I could only keep one of my rods that would be it, its a very fine fishing tool.
Interesting plug for Chris Raine’s rod. I have read a little about his rods but recently opted for an 8’3″ for 4 by James Reams instead. Hopefully it will make a nice char rod…
/Vaughan
Vaughan Hurry(Quote)
Vaughn: I didn’t get to fish George’s Trout Bum light (it was a new rod intended for pictures and then sale, so lawn casting was all that was possible), but everyone who cast it feel silent for a moment.
Chris Raine’s 8’3″ 4wt is quite similar to Jimmy’s, and you’d own one from each only if you had more money than you knew what to do with.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Tom,
Sadly, I don’t even come close to qualifying for owning for one of both, so I’ll have to stick with the Reams :-). Just another year or so to wait……
/Vaughan
Vaughan(Quote)
Jimmy’s waiting list has really lengthened since his new site went up. He’s another of those builders who had a cult following, and after years and years of hard work, he became an overnight sensation… 8-)
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Hello, I just stumbled on this website, pretty cool. I was wondering if someone could answer a question. I recently received a bamboo flyrod from an older genleman 98 years old.On the bottom of the rod it is signed “the seven axemen” Paul Bunyan and then above that is a label that says Paul Bunyan’s fishing tackle the blue ox. the label has a picture of an ox. any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated. thanks
Mike(Quote)
Did you ever get any info on the bamboo rod?
Richard Rose
Richard Rose(Quote)
I’m afraid it doesn’t ring any bells with me. Many of the larger rod manufacturers produced private label rods for other brands.
Typically, they weren’t the best rods, (often produced by the bottom-of-the-barrel builders like Montague and H-I).
You might try the bamboo fly rod message board and see if one of the regulars over there knows anything.
Tom Chandler(Quote)