I have a couple of old bamboo rods I want to fix up a bit. The top 1/3 has a bow in it. Anyone know of a way to straighten them? Thanks

It's not as difficult to fix a set as you might think. You can place it flat with a little bit of weight to make it bow in the opposite direction. Don't use to much weight. This takes a couple of weeks. A better method is to heat it and bend it back straight. I use a toaster for a heat source. Be sure to do this bare handed. If the cane gets to hot to touch you got it way to hot. When the cane gets hot it becomes pliable. I've always done this with the varnish stripped off. I do not know what would happen with the varnish on the rod. Before trying this, you can do some research on the classic fly rod forum. Good luck with it.

Straightening a bamboo rod without heat won't keep it straight, the bow will come back after a few casts. The only way to get the "set" ,as it's called, out is with heat. This is best done with the varnish stripped off, but it can be done with the varnish on if it's not ancient and in good condition. I recomend a good heat gun with adjustable settings, start on low and hold the rod over the nozzle, but keep it moving, twirl it and move it back and forth so the heat isn't concentrated on one small spot. Bend it in the opposite direction off of the heat for a minute or two so it can cool that way then site it for straightness again. It will take very little heat near the tip, ore as you get to the thicker areas. Good luck
john

Using a tea kettle on top the stove will do the trick VERY QUICKLY. Using the stream of steam for your heat source will be fine. Flexing the rod in the opposite direction of the current set and passing it back and forth thru the steam will straighten it out, then let it cool on a flat surface. You want to start the process at the ferrule and work to the tip, as sets have a tendency to "travel" so you want it to go to the end of the section. After it is straight and cool you should be fine, but,,, and there is always a but !! Sets are strange things, often prone to return.. lot of times a fishing set occurs, and you can straighten it out and after a few fish caught, it's back... I think it is just the nature of the cane. But the steam is your bet choice in my opinion. You should not have a problem with varnish either, I do it all the time. Of course, if your going to strip it and redo it, I would straighten it when it was bare bamboo.

Hope this helps ~ ~

Thanks everyone. One rod needs re-varnished so I will strip it first. Thanks again for all your help.