While the mortgage and (now) looming credit crisis is driving most slackers Undergrounders to the edge of the bankruptcy abyss, it seems sales of bamboo fly rods remain strong – at least for top builders.
Bamboo fly rods seem to be defying the economy.
The Boston Globe published a story about Per Branden where the writer – who was clearly not familiar with fly fishing at all – noted Branden no longer accepts orders for his hollowbuilt bamboo fly rods.
My favorite interview moment? When the interviewer repeatedly refers to Branden’s “bamboo fly poles.” (Where’s the super slo-mo of Branden’s face when you really need it?)
Also on the “not accepting orders list” is Colorado’s Mike Clark (the oft-mentioned builder in Gierach’s essays), who has frozen his list at five years, and though he’s still building, he wants to clear away some of the orders before taking more.
Wondering if I was seeing a trend, or merely a statistical fluke, I started calling some builders.
Hollowbuilding maestro James Reams (his rod profiled on the Underground here) – suggested he’s also turning over the idea of a freeze on rod orders (though his waiting list is at three years and for now, he’s still taking orders).
Even one-time Reams protege and hollowbuilder Chris Raine is only beginning to dig out from under a pile of rod orders which backed up when he suffered a few health issues.
“People are calling and asking about hollowbuilt bamboo fly rods because they’re traditional bamboo rods, but they cast and fish better” said Raine.
Rodbuilding legend AJ Thramer has also not seen a dip in orders: “Everything I build, I sell, so I’ve stopped worrying about the order book. Literally as fast as I can make them, they’re gone. The dealers keep saying “I need more, I need more.”
Interestingly, the fraction of AJ’s orders for his more-expensive hollowbuilt rods continues to climb – he now estimates that as many as 70% of his rod orders are hollowbuilts.
He’s also received requests for a higher-end Thramer rod: “I think it’s mostly collectors” he said.
Arizona bamboo rod builder Mike Shays has seen a recent upsurge in rod orders, and said “I really do think people are looking for high-end rods. I think people are afraid of buying cheap rods.”
Shay’s waiting list is also about three years.
Sure, the statistical sample is small, but the evidence seems clear; bamboo rods – at least those from top builders – are looking pretty recession proof.
Sure, the long-term sales cycle might be helping in this case, but if anything, the rodmakers report receiving more orders this year than last.
Still, lest you think these guys are raking in oil-company level profits, do the math in your head, and you’ll see it’s possible to make a living, but almost no one’s getting rich building bamboo fly rods.
Thramer summed it up beautifully when he said “Rod building is an honest poverty – hopefully you leave behind a trail of smiling people.”
I’m traveling to the Fly Fishing Retailer show in Denver next week; anyone want to take odds I hear a different story from most of the non bamboo-related fly fishing industry?
See you cutting bamboo stalks, Tom Chandler.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
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I said that but I feel compelled to add…
People don’t buy my rods because they cost a bit more…I HOPE! Maybe they do. If they do, I should probably just hang it up. It’s the wrong reason! It’s time and money and a slim profit margin that makes it at all profitable. It’s love more than anything else.
A.J. SHOULD be charging 3 grand!
People should know that a bit of experience is going to be paid for.
If you are looking for an inexpensive bamboo rod without sacrificing quality, they are still out there if not for long. John Channer in Durango comes to mind. He’s my friend and a wonderful rodmaker. I saw one of his rods brand new for sale for $750.00. If I had that cash I would have jumped on it!
Oh I’m just screwing this up!
But all in all to be put in the company of A.J., Chris, and Jimmy is a reward in itself… thank you Tom!
Mike BShay(Quote)
Tom – I’m pretty satisfied with my quiver, hence I’m not up-to-date on manufacturing trends. How do the big brands play into the bamboo game? Are they seeing demand hold up too, or is this market strength primarily in the proprietor-built rod segment?
PS: Last year’s Denver offer is still open (or a round of scotches if you’re too busy). Michael(Quote)
I’m not so sure. Anyone with a five year backlog may not feel the downturn in the economy, yet.
He may get cancellations, as discretionary money suddenly starts to dry up, and the rod ordered two years ago (in better times) suddenly becomes a stark luxury.
Wealthy patrons will always be immune, but the average fellow whose “always wanted one” – will feel the pinch, and pass that to the rodmaker.
Methinks this will be a pronounced dip, longer than their current waiting list. kbarton10(Quote)
Michael: The “big brands” in the bamboo game are Winston and to a lesser extent Scott and T&T. I didn’t call he
I didn’t call any of them because most of their rods are sold to dealers and collectors, and frankly, I can’t call them up and expect to get straight answers like I can when I call Reams, Shays, Thramer, et all.
I’m a populist at heart.
Kbarton: Your point is taken, but when I talked to Reams, Raine, Thramer and Shays, all said the orders hadn’t dropped off at all (in a couple cases they had actually picked up the last six months).
I can’t project into the future, but I can say that the pace of orders (not deliveries) hasn’t slackened to this point. Hell, Reams received three orders last week alone.
Orders could still drop, but they haven’t yet… Tom Chandler(Quote)
Good for them! Eduardo Sanchez(Quote)
Given the weakness of the dollar these days I would bet that quite a number of high end rods are going to international buyers.
The story that some high end makers have stopped taking orders or have 3 to 5 years worth of orders can be a little deceiving. Most of these guys really aren’t making a lot of rods so someone may say they have 5 years worth of orders but in real numbers that may only be one to two years worth for a real full time maker like Thramer.
I agree that this recession could be quite long lasting. If it is then I figure that a number of these recently purchased rods will end up for sale at bargain prices. greg hall(Quote)
Greg: I can’t speak for Mike Shays’ output, but I know Reams will likely ship 25+ rods this year, and Mike Clark’s output has always been in the 25-40 range.
I’m also skeptical of Branden’s stated 25 rods/year output, but for the most part I did try to restrict myself to builders who are producing real-life quantities. Tom Chandler(Quote)
Tom,
Not to denigrate any maker’s output but Thramer averages about 65 rods a year and the last I heard, Bob Summers who is 70 years plus is producing 40 to 50 rods a year. Summers has a 5 year plus waiting list so he may be the champ in real numbers of rod orders waiting.
My understanding is that Per Brandin is quite jealous of his position as getting the highest prices of any living US rodmaker. I think the newspaper article quoted a price of $4,950 which, if true, should help him maintain that position. greg hall(Quote)
I bought a three peice bamboo beauty, 6′9” 3 wt. from C.T. Robertson and can’t find him. Can anyone get me his phone or address. Thanks, Peter Peter brown(Quote)