Links
Bamboo Fly Rod Sources
The Dunsmuir Rod Company. In addition to catching the fins off the Upper Sac trout, Chris Raine builds a mean bamboo fly rod. Unlike traditional solid construction, he hollows out the pithy center of his bamboo fly rods, creating some of the lightest, best-performing fly rods the planet’s ever seen.
Jim Reams is Chris Raine’s mentor — and perhaps the best, least-known bamboo rod builder on the planet. He’s a Fall River based hollow builder who also happens to be a fanatic fly fisher. Famous for his long, lightline bamboo rods.
Coldwater Collectibles is one of the best bamboo rod dealers on the Internet. Trustworthy and good prices on great fishing rods.
AJ Thramer is one of the most experienced bamboo rod builders on the planet. He’s become well known for his spot-on reproductions of famous rod tapers, but his best rods are his new hollow builts. An icon.
Clark’s Forum is a message board where fluent “bamboo rod” is spoken. More than a resource, it’s an education — you’ll see the good, the bad, and the ugly of bamboo rods.
The Fiberglass Forum is a message board dealing with contemporary and vintage fiberglass rods — probably the least appreciated, most-underrated, have-I-got-a-deal-for-you fly rods in existence.
Names Worth Knowing
Trout in Tennessee? Call Ian Rutter, a great guy, a talented writer and a top guide in Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We like him because he’s Underground material — one of those rare specimens who knows how to catch “the hound out of the trout” without ever getting grim about it. Visit his fishing report here.
Dave Roberts is the best fly fishing guide on the Upper Rogue — and a certified, card-carrying bamboo rod fanatic to boot. He rows with the strength of ten men (apparently his heart is pure), but is most at home fishing tiny flies to picky trout.
Wayne Eng might be the Upper Sac’s best teaching guide. He’s great with beginners, sublime with novices and anyone who simply wants to learn.
Steve Bertrand might spend more time on the river than any other guide. Good bet for intermediate anglers who want to learn presentation skills.
Shasta Trout is another Upper Sac (and McCloud, and Klamath, and…) Guide Service that we happily recommend. Craig Neilson is a thoughtful guide who typically skips the stocked waters in pursuit of wild fish. Nice Web site too.
The Ted Fay Fly Shop. A great Dunsmuir Fly Shop run by the venerable, down-to-earth Bob Grace. Also one of the oldest fly shops in the state.
Terry Edelmann guides most of the Western states and even Florida! (That’s not a typo.) Fun guide and very knowledgeable. Based in Idaho, give his site a visit — where you’ll also see his new “Catch & Release” DVD, a great club purchase.
Other Sites to Visit
California Fly Fisher is a regional magazine that’s worth far more than its reasonable subscription fee. Literate and willing to break with industry practice (that suggests running essentially the same stories over and over and over and…), it’s worth supporting.
CalTrout fights for the interests of fish, fly fishers and sportsmen in the Golden State. You gotta love ‘em…
The Upper Sacramento River Exchange fosters stewardship of the Upper Sacramento watershed. If you fish here, and think it’s a good idea that there’s something worth fishing in the future, then join!
MidCurrent is an interesting repository for all sorts of fly fishing articles and essays, including some written by well-known names. Good site, but the real meat comes in the form of Marshall Cutchin’s daily e-mails — you get a dose of some of the most interesting fly fishing news from the internet delivered right to your inbox. I’ve been a reader for years…
Moldy Chum is an unusual fishing blog dedicated to ferreting out the weird, odd and unusual (they listed us, that’s proof enough…). Bookmark ‘em and enjoy.
The Wayward Fly Fisher is an interesting, simple Web site filled with essays by Toney Sisk. Toney’s also an Underground kind of guy.
Grand Lake Lodge is a very cool set of housekeeping cabins right on the shores of West Grand Lake in Maine. Only steps away from great smallmouth and landlocked Atlantic Salmon fishing. Run by nice folks.
Want to see another side of the Upper Sac? River Dancers have years of experience running the best whitewater rafting trips on the Upper Sac. (Great food!) I’ve been on several trips, and it’s interesting to see the river from the water side of things. (Not to mention it’s a great way to scout out new spots.)
Visit Thomas Zuellech of Germany’s site (in English too) for some interesting information about fly fishing overseas. At the Trout Underground, we’re always looking to broaden our horizons…
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Fly Fishing Clubs & Similar Resources
The Sacramento Fly Fishers Unlimited Club
The Granite Bay Flycasters (Sacramento Area)
