A new convert for the Temple of Bamboo

chrisk · #1 11-04-2009, 12:43 PM

I purchased a bamboo rod from a local well-experienced builder. He let me cast 5 rods in his yard, each with different tapers and a couple of lengths. To my surprise I ended up with a shorty.

6.5ft 4wt 2pc with a Payne 96 taper and two tips.

I had it out on the water for two 3hr sessions so far and I am in love. Today I am putting a new Cortland Sylk line on it and will hit the water tomorrow in the GSMNP for my first full day of fishing with this rod.

I was amazed at how well this short rod turned over a long leader in my unskilled hands and just how unresponsive bamboo is to excited brute force. I can't wait to seriously get acquainted with this rod tomorrow.

sprringer · #2 11-04-2009, 01:35 PM

who was your builder?

**FlyDoctor** · #3 11-04-2009, 03:10 PM

Congrats and welcome to the dark side of caniacs. That taper is nice and the 7' Payne 98 is another good one. I use the Sylk lines on my cane rods and like them. They are nice and supple and slide nicely through the guides as long as you keep them clean. You might also try a furled leader as this adds to the presentation. I made some up using real silk wrapping thread and they are even nicer. Really turn over a dry nicely. Have fun with it--Larry

chrisk · #4 11-04-2009, 05:24 PM

I don't think I can give his name or phone number in public because he is not a sponsor on the board. He lives in Whittier.

Thanks for the reminder on the furled leaders. I had a few kicking around from the spring that I have not used in a couple months.

madtom · #5 11-06-2009, 09:17 AM

Sure we can talk about Bamboo rod makers. It's just like throwing out names like Sage and Scott, they are manufacturing a good. I guess I wouldn't promote a dealer that sells multiple maker's rods, but mentioning a maker by name is about the only way to chat about bamboo. Take care.

Madtom

**FlyDoctor** · #6 11-06-2009, 01:47 PM

Chris--since to my knowledge none of our sponsors sell bamboo rods I'm going to say its OK to go ahead and tell us about the maker--Larry

chrisk · #7 11-09-2009, 05:16 PM

OK cool.

His name is Jim Mills and he lives in Whittier NC (Jim Mills 828-497-5576) just outside of Cherokee. He lives on a heavily wooded lot but has a nice casting range on the lawn where he let me try out 5-6 rods. He showed me a few rods in various stages of progress and a few he had repaired recently for people.

Now, I don't know a THING about bamboo for the most part - but I liked Jim and after a few days on the stream with his rod, I like his work. This price also allows me to experience bamboo without having to be too afraid of breaking a rod on the water. In my opinion, his rods are a great gateway into the world of bamboo flyrods. I am now far more interested in learning more about the history, the classic tapers and their construction now that I have fished one.

mattnmtns · #8 11-10-2009, 07:43 PM

Thanks for the info. Do you mind me asking how much you paid for it? Feel free to PM me if you wish. I have heard about Jim before and from what I understand he builds some very nice blanks and rods.

I have a couple of older Orvis rods that I have to fish occasionally but they are both 6'5" HDGs which is great and quite perfect for some streams but I'd love some thing in a 3/4 around 8 feet. Welcome to the club. Careful there are some sweet glassrods out there too.

wilhelm · #9 11-10-2009, 08:25 PM

Is Mills making his own blanks now? Last year, when this article was written, he was using Chinese made blanks that he got from Anglers Roost.

http://www.activeangler.com/flyfishi...-bamboo3.shtml

I haven't looked at a Chinese made blank in a couple years. At that time, the only problem I noted on the blank was how the ferrule had been fitted. The blanks that Anglers Roost is selling on Ebay are un-ferruled and if those are what Mill are using, that he has enough skill to properly install a ferrule. I will say, and it is confirmed by the article, the Chinese take criticism well and are always improving their product.

The only other bit of information I'd like about the blank is what type of glue is being used to glue the strips. I know rod makers that have used all sorts of glues including Elmer's white glue. I would say the most common glues used by rod maker's today include Epon (an epoxy), URAC, Resorcinol, a couple are using glues from the Titebond family (much like Elmer's) and some have used Gorilla Glue (don't get that on your hands). Much like we avoid political discussions on this forum, rod makers avoid glue discussions.

wilhelm