Fly Fishing Rods Made From Bamboo
Good bamboo is the best material for fly fishing. It should be carefully selected, dried, split, glued and proportioned. It is more durable than steel and solid woods due to its lightness, pliancy, strength, durability, resiliency, power, balance, and power.
In the past, rod makers and anglers could distinguish between male and female Calcutta. However, good Calcutta is now very rare and the term "Calcutta" is a trade term. It is harder to find good bamboo, and a good piece from Tonkin is better than an indifferent Calcutta. But, the male Calcutta should be considered superior to either Tonkin or the female. The African cane, also known as steel vine, is the cheapest split-cane. It's light colored and can be used to make good, affordable bamboo fly fishing rods.
Fly Fishing Rods: Six-Strand and Eight-Strand Bamboo
We assume you know the basics of how bamboo is cut and glued together. This helps to maximize the hard enamel and reduce the overall size. While some rods are made from bamboo that has been split into six sections (hexagonal), others have been divided into eight (octagonal), the most common construction is six strips. Although the eight-strip rod is considered to have better action than the cylinder, this claim seems more theoretical than practical. The tiny tips of the eight-strip rod will likely be softened by the amount of glue required to keep them together. Eight-strip rods are more expensive than six strips. If the angler is looking for a round bamboo fly fish rod, they will be better than six strips that have been planed down. Planing must cause injury to a rod. A six strip rod of good quality is generally a great choice.
Special Features Bamboo Fly-Fishing Rods
Double-built bamboo fly fishing rods are a new innovation in bamboo rod making. They are made from two layers, each one of split and glued bamboo. They are more robust and heavier than normal rods. They are also stronger and hold their shape better than regular rods. The steel center rod is an English invention. It consists of a finely tempered steel piece running through sections of regular split bamboo. This construction is claimed to have superior casting power, and only a pound more weight. These rods are loved by heavy-fishing friends.
A rod made of "twisted bamboo" is supplied by an American maker. He claims it equalizes strain and produces better action. It is something that I haven't tried, so I can't comment on its merits. Perry Frazer from Amateur Rodmaking, however, does praise it.