Bamboo for steelhead

Battled some nice steelies Wednesday.  The cane rod handled it just fine.  The first Steelhead must have been fresh cuz it nearly spooled me before spitting the fly.  Those old Vom Hoff style reels look nice but the small arbor is a disadvantage.  Wish I had a multiplier reel to take up line more quickly.

I prefer to use the old Wonder Rod when I want to go old school!

My bamboo rod is a 8-1/2 foot, 4-5/8 ounce two piece 7 weight.  The maker is John Pickard out of Hillsdale Michigan.  He's a full time rod maker.  My rod is not hollow built, though you can buy them that way.  Bamboo is strong but heavy compared to graphite.  Graphite is far and away a better performer than bamboo.  I just love bamboo rods for their character.  The old style reels don't quite compare to today's top notch reels from Abel and others.  If you spend the money for a bamboo rod, you'll get about 70% of it back when you sell, if you sell.  That won't happen with graphite.  Buy a preowned, slightly used bamboo rod and you're fishing for free if you sell later.
 
I was losing fish left and right till I added that shock gum to my rig.  8-1/2 feet is a bit short for a steelhead fly rod.

I have john's perfectionist and can tell you it's one sweet rod....It's a 7.5 foot, 5 weight....Easily my favorite rod in my collection.   I landed a 23-1/2" brown trout over the summer with this rod.  Scout around for a lightly fished model for around $1100 and you'll be in fishing heaven.

As some of you already know I have fished with and caught steel on a bamboo flyrod, It was an old English made Glenaire and it was 9' about 7 wt.  I caught 2 steelhead on it.  I tried with one of my own builds; a 9' 7 wt at the "One Fly" and although I had 4 hook-ups I didn't land any.  Maybe because I was using a dry fly.  Bughawk has landed three on an old Wes Jordan rod in 4wt.  Which broke on the third steel.  I may bring the big rod back to the tribs during deer season so I'll have room to fight the fish.  Mika, the one I built for the "One Fly" is way heavier than yours is and is a real club. But it will definately take the shock of a steel.

Not trying to jinx anyone, but what happens when a bamboo rod breaks? Does it shatter, or just crack?

Deadbolt,
     They will usually break in what is known as a greenstick fracture.  If that happens then they can be repaired but it usually results in a stiffer section where the rod was repaired.  Also that's why most good bamboo rods came with two tips.
 
Catching,
     Well, by that train of thought :  Why would anyone want a 69 SS/RS big block Camaro?  A civic is much better riding and has A/c.

Well a 69 camaro does have AC, atleast my dad's 67 mustang did, it was called the window. :) My problem with Bamboo is that it is cool to fish with once and a while but overall they generally stress out big fish. I guess it's OK every now and then, but I see guys up at erie with 7' 4 wts fishing. I guess it's no different then using a ultralight spinning rod.  I've had several bamboo's from Paynes to orvis ones. I ended up selling them because I just wasn't thrilled by them and I used the $$$ for a down payment on a boat.