tank7791
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Boo rods
Looking to buy a bamboo rod, I've been looking at ebay and have found alot of rods being listed, I'm looking for 4wt and they have many to choose from, my question is what should i be looking for in a boo rod, some say split and others say inpregnated whats the difference? thanks to all in advance tank
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dano
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Ebay is a crap shoot. Many of those rods are cut down from old classics. Also, what one considers a 4wt may be a 6wt to someone else. Another word of caution. Make sure the rod comes with at least a 3 day, no questions asked return policy. Most respectable sellers offer this. And, some of the new cheaper imported rods have been coming up with issues. Mainly glue and fit related. To answer your other questions, bamboo, hex, split bamboo, split cane. All the same. And, "Impregnated rods" use a process that bakes in resins to make it permanently water proof so they don't rely on varnish to seal out moisture. Most older Orvis rods are impregnated. Some (dull) impregnated rods are still varnished for looks. What length are you looking for? For a 4wt, I wouldn't go over 7 1/2 foot. Price range? Some of the refinished pre 50's production rods have tiny guides because the silk lines that they were made to handle has a much smaller diameter than todays plastic lines. You can still cast modern lines with those guides but you won't be able to shoot as much line. If you haven't yet fished a bamboo rod, Stay away from full working designs. Find something in a medium to medium fast taper. If you're interested in a particular rod, let me know. I'd be willing to give you my thoughts on it.
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tank7791
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dano
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"This i what i saw that got my attention I guess that it is a zhus rod never heard of it" Yes, Zhu's rods are made in China and some in the States. They seemed to have resolved some of the issues from sloppiness of planing and gluing up the 6 strips to curved tips. Of course, you never know when that particular rod you are looking at was made. There are other companies that sell or distribute Zhu's rods and blanks. They go by the names of Headwaters Duluth Tea Stick Elkhorn Highland Mills When I see new boo rods at such cheap prices, I wonder about craftsmanship. Do the builders have to put quantity over quality to make a decent buck? Can they afford to scrap a finished rod that has a flaw or do they try to mask the mistake with hopes that the boo newbie (that's whom their market is aimed at) is not experienced enough to detect it? If you don't already have a nice trout rod that you are happy with, I'd stick to graphite or glass. But that's my opinion. If you are curious about boo, see me at Jacks "One Fly" I can bring some rods. If you can't wait, look for a guy who buys and modernizes those old H-I Tonka Prince and Tonka Princess. He sells mostly one-tippers on Ebay at a reasonable price. Oh,,,,Lake Erie Ultimate Angler has some boo rods in stock from a local builder. Not sure of the price.
post edited by dano - 2009/06/27 12:39:06
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tank7791
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I'm in no rush to go out and buy the first thing that i see, being a "newbie" i want to learn what i'm looking for in a boo rod i have no problem waiting for a good buy on a good rod, I'll check out what steve has at his shop being i buy all my equipment from him. I've seem that bamboo rod there and i think that he wanted 12 for it. Thanks dano for your insite and wisdon on this subject also is oil creek doing any good now or is it all over there. tank
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dano
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razmatazz05
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i got one on ebay this past winter. (nevermind, i'll try to post pics tomorrow, there's pics of it in my blog, linked below) spent $125 or so. definately not near top of the line, but i wanted to get a cheaper one that i could check out. definately a lot different to cast. got a 4 weight 6.5 foot Otter Creek. otter creek is a complete no-name, but i like it. it's fun to hook a good sized trout on it, it bends the whole way through the rod. not sure what action it is, but its more "whispy" than anything i've used before. i've swung buggers on it, done nymphs, egg patterns, cant wait to use it for small dry fly streams this summer. like dano posted the clarkclassic forum is packed full of information. i also came across an old fly rod at a garage sale for $6. not currently in working order, not sure if i want to put in the $ to make it workable when it was only $6 to begin with.
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indsguiz
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Razz, That 6 dollar rod may (or may not) be something worthwhile. I bought an old bamboo rod at a yard sale a few years ago that looked like a piece of crap. But it turned out to be a rod by a very famous builder. I restored it and donated it to the PSA and I believe Glenn won it. It was about an 1897 model. Are there any markings or writing on your $6 rod?
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razmatazz05
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i did a little research on it. i believe it's a lower level model. montague or something...
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indsguiz
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Monteague made rods that ranged from the really bad (blue sky); to the Red Wing which is actually a pretty fine rod. The Rapidans are nice in the lighter weights, And even a mt Tom in a light weight can be nice. The biggest problem with the Monteagues were the ferrules and the guides, both need replaced before the rod can be used. And sometimes the reel seat and the cork is bummed too. but they can be re-built and improved.
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razmatazz05
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the reel seat is blue, so i'm guessing it was replaced at one time. the furrels are messed up, couldn't even get the pieces together, and the guides are small, prob from the old silk lines. i'll take a closer look next time i'm over my parents to see what model it is.
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flyfishindave
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indy the rod you built me is a great midge rod & I can not wait for the tricos to start, it throws a 3 weight a lot better than a 4 weight for me. I would post a picture for every one to see it but have never got that part to work so no pics.
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FishingBoz
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I'll second the recommendation of the HI Princess. I bought a refurbished one from a local (Pittsburgh area) guy that refinishes bamboo rods for about $150. It is a great rod for small creeks and dry flies. Much softer action than most modern rods but casts like a dream. You can usually check some of his rods out at Hoey's fly shop if you get down this way.
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