I found a very old bambo fly rod that has a major bend in it from leaning in someones corner for years.
Can it be salvaged?
Thanks

it is pretty easy to do that. i use a heat gun to apply enough heat to release the tension from the bamboo. slowly heat the bend till it is warm but not too warm to comfortably grasp it in your hand. once heated up bend it the oposite way an amount equal to the bow and hold till the bamboo cools. you may have to do this several times. eventually you will get the bow out. depending on the type of glue that was used dictates how much heat you can get away with. old rods sometimes used a glue that would delaminate if too much heat is applied. if you don't have a heat gun use a steam kettle and hold the rod in the hot steam until it heats up. sight down the section and gradually work all the kinks out. don't expect to get it
absolutely straight but you can get it functionally straight.

A tea pot will do a quick job of a set as well.

Use the stream of steam to heat the section while appling pressure in the opposite direction, let cool.

Do a few times in the areas that are out and your as straight as an arrow.

Just another option to the one mentioned above...which works as well. Steam seems to make the bamboo react a little faster in my opinion.

Tight lines to all ~~