There are many rod materials available to anglers today. None is better than the other, but each has its own unique characteristics. In my opinion, bamboo excels as a trout rod material for rods up to six weight and lengths anywhere between five and eight feet. It is certainly possible to make rods outside of these parameters, but for chasing trout in Australia, this range offers many excellent tapers that are a pleasure to fish.
Modern bamboo rods are very different to the pre-conceived ideas held by many anglers. Prior to the introduction of fibreglass and graphite, an Australian experience of bamboo probably resulted in the use of a long, slow, full flexing rod from the UK. Today, the majority of tapers being used have originated from North America. Combined with modern glues, these produce rods with medium to fast actions that surprise many first time users.
The rivers and creeks that I have fished in the Snowy Mountains since 1986 have generally determined the rods I make. This includes longer five weights for waters like the Thredbo River, three and four weights rods for the open alpine creeks or shorter rods in the six foot range for the tighter, enclosed feeder streams.
Occasionally I may have rods available for sale. These include new or used rods in either bamboo or fibreglass. Please feel free to get in contact if anything is of interest.
At the moment, I am in the final stages of finishing two bamboo rods. These will be a 7’4wt and a 6’ 3wt and there will some photos available shortly.
The green glass rod in the photos is a three piece 6’6” 3wt built on a Yomogi blank from Tomo Ijuin in Japan. Tomo produces some great blanks and this one is definitely a specialist rod for small streams. It bends through the cork and would be at home casting dries on small, tight feeder creeks. The rod features a Lemke uplocking screw seat with a cork filler, vintage German porcelain stripping guide from Goldenwitch, colour preserved Tiara variegated silk wraps and comes in a cordura covered tube.
Fellow Australian rod maker Nick Taransky:
https://www.taranskybamboo.com
Cressy Cane. The Australian bamboo rod maker’s gathering:
Peter Hayes. Tasmanian fly fishing guide and instructor:
https://www.peterhayesflyfishing.com/
Mark Kelly. Photographer and fly fisher:
Fine furniture maker Lou Harriss:
Yasuyuki Kabuto’s fiberglass rods and blanks:
Kazutomo Ijuin’s fiberglass and bamboo rods:
