Recently acquired an older 9ft 7W split cane fly rod. Well used, not sure exactly how old it is. Casts well but needs restoration. This is my 1st fly rod. Need advice on guide selection, both size and manufacturer. Will be using it for steelhead and some brown trout. Thanks

Harry T. Bell

A little more info would help. Many bamboo rods come with a need to strip the old finish, and refinish as well as replace the guides.

For finish stripping I use a cabinet scraper, or an exacto knife held at 90 degrees to the surface for scraping off the old finish. Hopefully the blank doesn't show any signs of delamination which would require an entire redo, including gluing, binding and sanding prior to any finish.

You can use a good quality spar urethane for refinishing, and apply either by dipping the rod in a tube filled with finish, or using a foam brush with a V notch cut in it. Avoid runs and drips and sand lightly between coats. Plan on 3 coats of finish for your rod.

As far as guides go, this is more personal preference but for a steelhead size rod, hard to beat the Snake brand guides in either black or chrome finish. REC guides (the heavier duty ones) would also be a good choice. The stripping guide is up to you whether you want to go traditional, such as an agate insert and a smaller size, or more current with a black insert. Fuji or Alps or Amtak all make good products there. Probably a size 12 or 16, but most tend to the smaller sizes on bamboo rods.

So it's mostly up to you. Restoring Bamboo rods can be really satisfying and they are really durable fishing tools.

Terry

Try a Google search on Restoring Bamboo and you will get tons to read

Bill - willierods.com

I'm assuming that you've already made the decision not to restore the rod to original spec? If not, then it really doesn't make a lot of difference what type guides, thread, seat, etc., you use. If you're just going to fish it for your own personal pleasure, you can outfit it with whatever components you feel work best for you. Anything that you like on your graphite rods you're apt to like on your bamboo.

Out of curiosity, do you know what make and model the rod is?

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Harry, we need to talk. I've done hundreds of restores and I can walk you through the entire project and may even have parts kicking around. P.M. Me and I'll get you my phone number. From what I remember you are just West of me. I may be out your way next week.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/08/2013 09:08AM by gary Marquardt.

Not finding how to P.M. here. Need to leave for woek. Maybe you could reply w/instr on how to P.M.? Sry for the inconvenience.

No PM available. You'll have to use personal email.

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