Is it Worth Learning How to Make Bamboo Fishing Rod? , Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at 1:24 AM, in

The varieties of fishing rods and the materials from which they are made are many. Choosing the right type of fishing rod is in large part dictated by the fisherman's preference of material, and many swear that a rod constructed of bamboo is far superior to other types of materials. In days past, bamboo rods were hand-made, a skill many people today are trying to replicate. But is it really worth learning how to make a bamboo fishing rod?
Bamboo is itself an extremely versatile material. When used as a type of wood, the bamboo harvested must already be several years old so that it possesses the strength needed for its new purpose. When used in making fishing rods, the bamboo needs this strength as well as flexibility to become the tool favored by many fishermen for its excellent performance. Being durable and lightweight, it was the primary material used for many years in fly fishing, and continues to be a popular choice in fly fishing rods and also casting rods.






Many rods fashioned years ago remain in good shape and continue to be enjoyed at favorite fishing holes, proving their durable nature.
That being said, learning how to make a bamboo fishing rod can be quite a daunting task, and definitely not one to be undertaken by a complete amateur. The process sounds simple enough, but the time and labor involved in accomplishing the steps is what will make or break the resolve of the craftsman. In brief, the steps are as follow: A quality piece of bamboo first needs to be found. The bamboo must be cut into strips that will compose the rod sections, bound together to retain their shape, and then dried to remove any excess moisture present. This is done the long way by air drying, or more quickly by using large ovens. After completely dried, the strips must be glued together to form the tubular shape of a rod, then dried again. Sanding and planing of the rod surface brings the rod to its final stages Sounds easy enough, right? Consider that one rod can take between 60-80 hours to complete, not to mention the expense of procuring the right tools and equipment for making the rod.
Still want to try your hand at creating your own bamboo rod? There are sources that offer bamboo rod kits. With much of the difficult and time consuming work already done for you, you will be able to finish off the rod with step by step directions and be casting off with your "original" bamboo rod in about one week's time.
Bamboo fishing rods are gaining in popularity once again, creating more production from fishing equipment manufacturers.








While a bamboo fishing rod will cost more than graphite models, the bamboo is a very attractive and effective fishing tool. With more and more bamboo rods becoming available on the market, learning how to make a bamboo rod may seem less important than simply owning one.

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