“Fishing with a bamboo fly rod evokes a sense of nostalgia and tradition that modern materials struggle to replicate. Each cast is linked to a bygone era where craftsmanship and simplicity were paramount. The rod’s smooth, deliberate action and the gentle flex of the bamboo invite anglers to slow down and immerse themselves in the rhythm of the water. There’s an undeniable charm in the line's delicate hum and the rod's natural feel, as though it’s alive in your hands. For many, a bamboo fly rod isn’t just a tool—it’s a portal to cherished memories of fishing trips with loved ones, a connection to nature, and a tribute to the timeless art of fly fishing.”
When I read that paragraph, it spoke to my heart. There is something special about a bamboo fly rod for an avid fly fisherman. For me, it evokes images from the iconic movie “A River Runs Through It.” The scene with that amazing shadow cast comes to mind. One big if trivia is most of the fly fishing scenes in that movie were filmed on the Gallatin River in the Gallatin Canyon south of Bozeman. It is a river I have had the opportunity to fish. A second bit of trivia most people don’t know is that Jason Borger did almost all the fly casting in the movie. In case you don’t know him, Jason is a professional fly-fishing instructor. He is the author of the books Jason Borger's Nature of Fly Casting and Single-Handed Fly Casting. His day job is Marketing Media Director for the Fly Casting Institute. Jason is also an illustrator and painter of fly-fishing subjects. His watercolor paintings of trout are amazing. You can check them out online.
The paragraph also brought to mind the memories of many of the great casters in the sport, including Lefty Kreh (1925 - 2018), Joan Wulff (95 years old), and Mel Krieger (1922 - 2008). These are absolute legends in the sport. I’d add my friend Joe Mahler to the list as a modern-day master. He is a magician with a fly rod.
I feel like I am obsessing a bit. My wife constantly tells me that I obsess over things. Unfortunately, I think she is right. It is most likely a deep character flaw.
Fishing with a bamboo rod is my latest obsession. I know it is an emotional thing, but I always seem to find a logical reason for what I desire. For example, my research has uncovered that mastering casting with a bamboo rod can actually improve your casting with graphite rods. Since I am not at all happy with my cast, this sounds like a major win to me. Who wouldn’t want a better cast?
I also found that bamboo rods are better for fishing dry flies in small to medium-sized streams when trout are rising. Of course, increasing the amount of time I practice casting would help improve my cast, and I mostly fish for bass, not trout, but in my mind, those counterarguments completely miss the point.
I have found some meaningful differences with graphite rods worth noting. These shouldn't be ignored.
First, bamboo rods are heavier than graphite. I love my Orvis Helios 3F rod; it is super lightweight and is a casting beast. When I fish with it, I feel very confident that the fly will land where I want it. I can, and have, fished it all day without my arm getting tired. However, the literature claims the added weight of a bamboo rod can come in handy for improving accuracy and cutting through wind. That is definitely a good thing. After a while, though, casting a bamboo rod can be fatiguing. That, of course, is a bad thing.
Second, bamboo rods load more slowly and help deliver a better connection between the angler and the fly. However, they are not as effective for long-distance or high-speed casting when sight fishing. My Orvis Helios 3F and my Orvis Recon rods are totally awesome in that regard.
Third, bamboo rods require more maintenance than graphite rods. With bamboo, you need to clean them regularly, store them in a low-humidity location, revarnish the finish periodically, and wax the ferrules more often. In contrast, graphite rods are built to withstand the beating you experience on a typical fishing trip.
Fourth, bamboo rods supposedly give the angler a more forgiving fight when dancing with a fish. They are supposed to be more protective of your tippet, resulting in fewer occasions where the trout releases from the hook. That has to be worth something, right?
For perspective, several years ago, when I first brought up the idea of buying a bamboo rod, a senior fellow member (Bob Goering) of the Queen City Anglers Guild told me it was a bad idea since I have a tendency to rush my back cast. According to Bob, “With a bamboo rod, you have the time to smoke two cigarettes before you start your forward cast.” Bob probably gave me great counsel. But knowing I would have difficulty mastering casting with one hasn’t dissuade my obsession with bamboo rods. Fast forward, and I am still obsessing about bamboo.
The other big drawback of bamboo rods is their cost. Typically, a new bamboo rod costs around $3,000, which is a tough price to justify. They cost that much because each is handmade by a master.
I actually checked into making my own as a way to lower the cost. In Cincinnati, we have a master bamboo rod maker. He ran classes on making your own rod. You needed to be interviewed and then “accepted” into his class. Unfortunately, the commitment was for multiple weeks, and I was never able to find a time in my calendar that coincided with his classes. He has since stopped teaching bamboo rod making. Like many things in life, timing is everything.
I guess for now, I will need to be content watching my copy of Winston Waters, which features a segment on how their bamboo rods are made, and obsessing over the Orvis Adirondack and R.L. Winston bamboo rods online. I will also live vicariously through reading stories of fabled fly anglers and their bamboo rods.
My bottom-line conclusion from all of my research is that there truly isn’t a rational reason to purchase a bamboo rod. But is there a rational reason to buy a Ferrari or a Lamborghini? I think that is a fair question. For the record, my wife is also not onboard with buying either vehicle.
Maybe I will get over it in time, but for the foreseeable future my obsession continues.
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