Bamboo Fly Rods
Bamboo fly rod builders create beautiful things, though only a few blog about it.

I like talking to bamboo fly rod builders. They’re inveterate tinkerers, and they’ve always got something new going on in the dark recesses of their bamboo rod shops.

Of course, bamboo fly rods are seemingly simple items that can be built in endlessly complicated ways, and a strong opinion about the tiniest of details can ignite an argument among rod builders (who seem prone to strong opinions to begin with).

Still, I’m surprised by how few bamboo rod builders blog, and simultaneously gratified the idea that they’re busy exploring new ways to do old things. That’s good, but I thought I’d mention a few who are blogging here:

David Bolin

First, the Searcy Sowbug blog by David Bolin isn’t simply about building — and he’s an amateur builder instead of a fulltime pro — but you do get to see his fly rods projects from start to finish. Worth a visit.

George Maurer

Sweetwater Rods is the company of well-known rodbuilder George Maurer, who’s trained more bamboo rod builders than any other living builder. His “Rod Builder’s Notebook” is updated infrequently, but still makes for interesting reading.

Marcello Calviello

This Argentinian builder’s blog has a commercial feel to it, but it’s a business after all, and he’s certainly a fulltime builder who is trying interesting new things. He frequently posts beautiful photographs of his rods, and now lists his rod inventory in a separate “Catablog.”

Classic Bamboo Fly Rod Board

The Classic Bamboo Fly Rod Board is no blog, but it’s one of the rare message boards that doesn’t regularly erupt in squabbling. There’s a wealth of information here about bamboo fly rods — and more than a few builders commenting regularly. Like any message board — where opinions, hidden agendas and personalities collide — you need to take what you read with a grain of salt.

Still, this board’s far better than most, and loaded with helpful folks.

[tags]fly rod, bamboo fly rod, bamboo, bamboo fly rod builder[/tags]

Posted in bamboo fly rods.