I'd like to learn to build a bamboo fly rod. What am I looking at as far as initial investment in tools and what about locating learning resources?

Thanks.
Steve

Contact Golden Witch. They are a site sponsor and can help get you started on the right track. They also have some DVDs available that will be of great help.
Crafting bamboo rods from scratch isn't for everyone,and the DVDs will at least let you know what you are in for,as far as the long haul. If you contact them,I am sure they would be more than happy to help you.
Best wishes,
Chuck

Steve, I looked into it myself quite some time ago and while I can't recall the correct figures, the investment was a LOT. Planing forms alone, if you can find them, are not cheap. Offhand, I think you are looking at an easy $1000 just to get a rudimentary setup going for a basement builder. And by rudimentary, I mean stone age.

There are a few books and websites on the subject, but after looking at a few of them, my conclusion is that you basically have two options: Use the books and employ trial and error, or find a local craftsman who will "apprentice" you.

Top end bamboo rods cost an easy 4 figures. There is a reason for this, and it isn't the materials.

some bamboo makers offer week long classes, near one-on-one instruction in making a rod. take what you learn and join the thriving domestic US bamboo community.

eric
fresno, ca.

Good Luck! ... [www.BambooRodMaking.Com]

I know that for me, an attempt to actually MAKE a bamboo fly rod blank from raw culm would be a case study in "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."

I used to use whole bamboo cane-poles a lot for local fresh-water fishing in Florida. But that is like the difference between flying IN an airplane and FLYING an airplane. A friendly reality check with Art Parramoure relieved me of that romantic notion a long time ago.

As Thomas (?) [of T&T] said in his 2005 (?) RMM Interview, rod blank power and action is all about the TAPER, TAPER, TAPER. And that cannot be done without the right knowledge, techniques, materials and especially TOOLS. No offense, but look before you leap. And plan on a prolonged & serious dedication to this art before any useful product is possible. And blood from your hands while learning to plane. IMO, -Cliff Hall.

I was interested in giving it a try myself, until I actually found out the time investment.

Recently, however, I discovered a great alternative. Some custom bamboo rod makers will sell you a finished bamboo blank, you do the rest. I think I will do that.

DJH

Bamboo rod making is rewarding and is a craft like rod building.

I have info on making your own forms from wood or from steel, (personally I would buy a new steel form, +/- $400.00) You need an oven, you can make one for about $200.00, you need a beveller, which you can make also, or you can do it the old fashioned way. You will need to bind the strips after you have planed them for gluing, so you either buy or build a binder. You need a good plane, and plane iron stone for sharpening (which you will be doing often) the rest you probably have.. of course you need to buy some Culm. (not expensive at all)

Most importantly you need time... 40 to 100 hours for a rod, depending on # of sections, taper, finishing , etc....

Just to mention a couple other things like ferrules, reel seats,stripper guides, the cheapest NiS ferrules I buy are from a fellow that makes them, they are $33.00 a set for a 2-piece rod with two tips, I buy my NiS Leonard style cap and ring from him also, $28.00 ( just the metal, not the insert, I turn my own inserts) then I like the top quality stripper guides made of NiS and an Agate insert....$30. You'll need a rod sock and an aluminum tube just to be on the safe side.

There are other things that you will need as you progress on this project. But it is all worth it in the end, you will have a somewhat fishable rod in the end... (the 1st one is usually your worst! They hopefully get better as you learn.) And BANDAIDS............... stock up on bandaids... the enamel is VERY sharp !!!!!!!!!

Have fun ~~

<*)))))><

Golden Witch is not a site sponsor, but they are a good place to find what you need for making bamboo rods.

There was a complete article series on making bamboo rods, start to finish, in the Volume 3 & 4 RodMakers.

Russ Gooding and Bernie Elser wrote a very worthwhile book, Fundamentals of Building a Bamboo Fly Rod, that you may find helpful.


...........

I recently started playing with making wood rods as sort of a "warmup" to bamboo, and though not nearly as involved as boo, it takes quite a bit of time, and the basic fundamentals are about the same. Something you might want to look into. And Cliff is correct about the tapering. I went through several prototypes before I found something that I thought I could live with. Now that the rod is basically complete, I'm not happy. The balance is way off and my flex is not what I expected. There is a big difference between how the individual pieces feel compared to when they are put together. Now I gotta make another one, since I know exactly where I need to make changes. (It's rather addictive)

Steve,

There are tons of books and websites and also as mentioned above...several places that offer clinics where you leave with a completed blank.

As far as tapers there are websites with tons of tapers on them from some of the original masters of the craft.

I would suggest taking a course.......using their tools then completing your first blank. This will give you the information you need to decide first if you want to do this...second which tools do I need and what quality can I afford....how best to utilize the tools you get.

Most of the courses are a full week.

If you chk out Globalflyfisher.com....under rod building they have a tutorial from Harry Boyd....it is a pretty good read...he also offers personal courses and has a website.

Man! I didn't know there was so much involved in making a bamboo rod. I now have a new respect for those who do it and understand why the work is worth the high dollars for which a rod would cost.

I think I better stick to graphite and fiberglass blanks. LOL

I work with guy who builds custom bamboo fly rods and he said the typical rod take well over 60 hours to complete and he has made more than just a couple. He also said he winds up have to record all the tapers etc to be sure he can replicate it if need be. Sounds to me you really need to be passionate about the craft.

Steve. By all means buy a quality bamboo blank and build yourself a rod. There are several talented blank makers in the U.S. Don