Bamboo flyrod fisherman

Joined
Apr 22, 2012
Messages
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Location
Chugiak, Alaska
The thread "Favorite Celebratory Drink" for some reason got me thinking about fly fishing with bamboo rods. Just wondering, how many bamboo flyrod fisherman/women we have out there on the forum? A few years ago (about 10 or so) I started fishing and collecting bamboo flyrods. For the last 4-5 years, I've switched to only using bamboo, and couldn't be happier. I've been fly fishing for over 30 years now, (I got started late in life) and faster rods, bigger, and more fish was my sole objective. In the last few years I realized that this particular goal wasn't working for me anymore and started playing around with the grass rods. Man, my appreciation for fly fishing was rejuvenated, it was almost like I discovered a whole new form of fishing. Anyone else share the same passion for the bamboo? Just wondering.
 
I fish bamboo exclusively in freshwater, but still use graphite in salt. Bamboo just has a better feel to me, and for the small streams I fish most it's perfect. The only downside is that it is quite addictive.
 
Not there yet. Still after the biggest fish in the creek on my graphite. Have went to exclusively fly fishing but in northwestern wisconsin opportunity is limited, so I can see me going to bamboo after I get my26"+ Brown on my graphite.
 
I have an affinity for bamboo too. Something about 'em that makes fishing pretty special.
 
I've got a couple bamboo rods, and I used to be a trout guy which is where I got into them. But in the last 15 years, I've gravitated to predator fish, big open water fishing and saltwater so I don't fish bamboo like I used to. I know they made offshore bamboo rods, but fact is, they just don't throw shooting heads and 14" muskie flies in the wind very well.

But I do still have them...never sell a good fly rod!
 

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My Grandpa used to guide muskie fishermen on the Chippewa Flowage in WI. He had a couple bamboo rods he used. I remember one that was only about 4' long and built like a pool cue. He also had 20' cane poles that they drug suckers with. The flowage is very shallow foir the most part, and when they hooked a fish they would hang on as long as possible then throw the pole overboard and row after it to resume the fight. Also had a .32 pistol that he shot the fish with.
 
Is a bamboo flyrod compared vs graphite similar to the difference between a muzzleloader and rifle and/or longbow/recurve vs a compound?
 
Is a bamboo flyrod compared vs graphite similar to the difference between a muzzleloader and rifle and/or longbow/recurve vs a compound?

More like comparing a laminated deflexed longbow to an all-wood selfbow crafted from osage or lemonwood.
 
I have my Grandpa's bamboo rods, but have never used them. I've been fly fishing for over 45 years and have several rods, but never pulled out the bamboo. Perhaps I should.
 
I'd love to give it a shot but alas. Steelhead closed. King season canceled. And now Coho emergency closure. Sporties standing on the outside looking in as the Cowboys and Indians compete to net the last fish. Throw in another 7 million people in the next 15 years projected to move to Puget Sound and Wa fishing is done!

I used to fish 100 days a year and last year I fished one day. Probably won't bother to buy a license this next year. Not worth it.

When I bought my drifter 20 years ago I could fish for wild steelhead (and release anything hooked) on 70+ rivers and now we are down to five or six. Now they are going to ban any fishing from boats. Too effective at catching and releasing what few fish survive the nets :(.

Ugly, ugly, ugly future for wild fish in Wa!
 
Ugly, ugly, ugly future for wild fish in Wa!

I was stationed in Port Angeles several years ago. You're right. Sad. I use WA as an example for people here as to what can happen to a fishery. Not so much in the dams, stocking etc, but in the fact that seemingly plentiful and unending fish stocks are in fact not unending and can be gone in a decade. Treat them right.
 
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