Bamboo Fly Fishing Rods

Bamboo fly fishing rods are by far the most traditional and best fly fishing rods there are. They're considered to be the best because they possess the stiffness and strength needed for consistent action from a rod of this length. The preferred type of bamboo is Tonkin bamboo, which is found in China. This type is said to be one of the strongest type of bamboo due to it's high density of fibers. A high quality, hand crafted, bamboo fly fishing rod can cost thousands of dollars. But why are they so special? This article will attempt to answer that question to help you decide if a bamboo fly fishing rod is for you.

A bamboo fly fishing rod is painstakingly made by taking bamboo poles and splitting them into strips. These strips are then planed and sanded to perfection and glued together to form what is called a blank. Accessories are then added to complete the bamboo rod. It can take 100's of hours to complete one rod.

You can find bamboo rods in a variety of different shapes. Some craftsmen prefer to make the the square of four sided rod. Others prefer the 6 strip or hexagon rods. Still others will make 5 sided or pentagon shaped or 8 sided octagon shape. This all depends on the preference of the maker and the quality of the bamboo they are using.

Many people think of bamboo rods as old fashioned. It was something that they pictured their grandfather using. Surely, will all the new advances in technology since grandpa's day and age, fishing rods have evolved so much that there is no longer a market for the bamboo rod. This line of thinking is not true. The bamboo rod industry is booming, even in this day and age. People love the feel and flexibility of a quality bamboo fly fishing rod. There are hundreds of bamboo fly fishing rod makers. The craft is being passed down from generation to generation in the small family businesses. There are also classes being offered on how to make your own bamboo fly fishing rod.

A quality bamboo fishing rod is considered a work of art. They can be as distinctive as the artist crafting it. Therefore, quality bamboo rods will command very high prices. It is not uncommon for a rod made by a well known bamboo rod artist, to command a price of tens of thousands of dollars.

But for some people the high price is worth it. The bamboo fly fishing rod means total relaxation to them. Just being able to slow down and use a bamboo rod, without all the gadgets found on modern rods today, is the ultimate way to relax. It brings a feeling of a simpler time. Imagine sitting on the bank of your favorite lake, listening to the sounds of nature and experiencing the smooth feel of bamboo in your hands as you fish. If this sounds like heaven to you, try a bamboo fly fishing rod.