My father in law mentioned he would like to have another bamboo fly rod - given the cost of a bamboo rod I am looking for a blank that has the same properties as a bamboo rod.
He actually said he used to use it with a quil float to fish for panfish with.
So I am open for suggestions on a blank/build that will work - I know he said the reel seat was at the end like a normal fly rod and it was 8ft - I need to find out if he used it like a fly rod or more like a regular long spinning rod....... my guess it was more like a long light spinning rod.

Take a look at the bamboo blanks from Anglers Roost a sponsor on the left. Very reasonable!

[theanglersroost.com]

Bill - willierods.com

There are some very nice old and new fiberglass blanks whose actions are similar to those of bamboo rods.

Fiberglass blanks are enjoying a resurgence of popularity for good reason.

The good ones have thinner walls than we usually expect when we think of fiberglass ... and that means less weight.

The slower action is closer to bamboo while retaining excellent controllability.

Frankly I love high end bamboo rods but fiberglass is a good alternative and at a much better price point.

There are a number of designers producing wonderful blanks in the $150 range.

The Fiberglass Flyrodders web site is a good source for info on them.

[fiberglassflyrodders.com]



As for bargain priced bamboo blanks ... I"ll pass.

They feel and act like whips and don't share any of the characteristics of the bamboo rods I am familiar with.

Whereas fiberglass can be made to function very similarly to high end bamboo rods.

If you like a moderate to slow casting motion you may prefer fiberglass to graphite as i do.

It is certainly worth looking into.

I do mostly bamboo work and get a lot of guys in who want the feel of cane without the price.
a couple of fiberglass suggestions that won;t kill the wallet
the lamiglas series of glass blanks if really nice. I just picked up a 6'6" one for myself
also check out the Kettle creek line of glass blanks. you'll have to Google it to get Phil's phone number since I don't have it handy. great blanks for a good price and they even are finished to have a cane color.

Something that comes to my mind is the Hexagraph solid graphite blanks that are segmented and even colored to look like segmented bamboo. Because they're solid, they're heavier by weight and will have a feel that is closer to bamboo than to tubular graphite.

Then again, Johnny up at Angler's Roost might be able to put you on an honest to goodness bamboo blank for not very much money, and your dad in law would then have exactly what he wanted all along. And by the way, although they don't cost as much as you might think, they're honestly very good bamboo rod blanks.

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Look at mudholes MHX blanks Very Good for the price A lot of Competition

Bill - willierods.com

So has anyone built one with the bamboo blanks from Angler's roost? the price is a lot less expensive than what I was expecting.
Thanks

they have been discussed on another forum. there are some mixed reviews. for the money if your FIL isn't going to consider it a high end classic fly rod and is going to fish the heck out of it, then I say give it a try.
I've been looking at them also but I want to build my fiberglass first.

Well i 've given the bamboo rods from Anglers Roost a lot. so here's my opinion.
you FIL wants a bamboo rod. Anglers Roost has the rod. why not try it.
I would buy the 8' kit with all the parts included and build what he wants.
Being that he hasn't fished cane in awhile the action is probably what he was used to.
For about a bill and a half I would go for a try.
just remember that you are going to have to varnish that rod.
if you do go the bamboo route and don't want to hassle with the varnish let me know and I could do that part for you.

Johnny's rods come in a varnished version as well.

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That might be the route especially since he isnt a fly rod junky. He just liked the long rod and action and used it to cast a light hook under a quil to bream. Im not sure if he actually even used it to cast fly line or if he used with a spinning reel