Is there an online support group for dummies who would like to undertake the task of building a bamboo rod from scratch? I have read some of the most popular books on the subject but feel that I still have too many qustions to justify such an expendature. One major concern is the construction/ purchase of plaining forms. I also am concerned about purchasing quality bamboo. I live in Alberta, Canada, and access to builders for info is limited. What should I do??? Is there a game-plan I should follow?

Thanks for the advise.

Slim

Slim,

www.canerod.com/rodmakers
On the opening page is a link "Join RM" You may join there, then decide later whether you want each individual message to come in directly as they are written, or receive the List as a daily digest. There are quite a few Canadian rodmakers, too. If you have any more questions drop me an e-mail off list.

There is an ongoing bamboo message board site at the remains of the old 'The Bamboo Fly Rod Magazine'. The magazine is defunct, but the message board continues on. Could be a good place for you to get some answers. Try www.thebambooflyrod.com and go to the bamboo builders page.

Last I checked there, no one had posted on the Bamboo Rodmaking BBS since March of 2000. One might still glean some good info from it, though.

Slim,
I made my forms of maple, since I'd heard that they can get you by for a handful of rods before the bigger investment for good steel forms. They worked great, the flats on my first rod are all within .004 of each other, no visible glue lines, and it casts like it's supposed to. Found the instructions for the forms thru rodmakers.org, I think, the website associated with that list; the list is great too.

Write back offline if you can't find these sites.

Slim:

There are a few Bamboo makers in the province. I managed to get a lot of help from the locals. I built my own metal planeing forms for under $75.00 and acquired all of my supplies locally in Calgary. Drop me a line if you have any questions.

...ron