Thomas Turner
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This is the time of year when our thoughts (in the UK) look forward to the chalk-streams opening for trout fishing. Time to dust down the light fly rods and start sorting out suitable dry flies in anticipation and a time to consider new tackle purchases.
We are big fans of rods made from ‘nano technology’ and whilst these have undoubted advantages for some forms of fishing, we would suggest nothing beats split cane (bamboo) as the material of choice for a dry fly rod.
There are multiple reasons for this:
Feel
There is no better material for feeling what is happening at the fly or lure end of the rod. An advantage of graphite is it absorbs movement and dampens vibrations. This is great in something like a golf club shaft but for example when casting a dry fly or retrieving a lure it is useful to ‘feel’ exactly what is happening at the business end.
Ideal for Short-Range Casting
Split cane rods excel at casting short to medium distances, making them well-suited for fishing in tighter areas, like small streams and rivers. The slow action and flexibility of split cane rods facilitate a gentle presentation of the fly, which is of special benefit when dry fly fishing for example.
Light and Flexible
Whilst the weight of split cane even when hollowed out, might be an issue in long salmon fly rods with rods in the 2 weight to 7 weight categories this is much less of an issue. A few hours with a light dry fly rod can be an absolute joy.
Value
In today’s market pre-owned split cane fly rods represent incredible value. With premium modern fly rods costing over £100 a foot it is possible to buy a well-built split cane rod for often little more. Also it is unlikely to drop in value if well looked after.
Heritage and Aspiration
For an enormous part of our angling heritage from Halford to Richard Walker split cane rods have been discussed on the river-banks.
Split cane rods represent a heritage craft, with each rod requiring a high degree of skill to build and yielding a handcrafted feel and aesthetic appreciation.
Many of us will have aspired to own a split cane rod when younger but price would have been a major hurdle. Hopefully not so much with the prices of pre-owned rods today. Time perhaps to buy the rod you aspired to when younger?
Modern Tapers and Actions
Bamboo rods are ideal for gentle casting in dry fly fishing and small streams because they generally have a slow action compared to modern rods and an unmatched feel when casting or playing a fish.
If you prefer a faster action some newer cane models, with modern tapers, can offer a surprisingly fast action, offering a good blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern performance.
Excellent examples we have in stock include:
A very fine and rare, beautifully presented two piece bamboo fly rod by Rolf Baginski. The rod is just 3′ 7″ and weighs just 2.2oz (60 grammes!). Fine dark honey coloured cane with alloy S shaped guides, Swiss style silver ferrule and wood reel seat with nickle sliding reel fittings. Rod inscribed with makers details and ‘Speziell fly’.
A stunning little Foster of Ashbourne The Wisp, 6’ 6” two piece vintage split cane bamboo fly rod in best collector condition. Line #3/4. Honey colour cane with guides whipped gold tipped green. Bronze suction ferrule with original polished wood and cork stopper. Keeper ring, 8” slim cork handle with light alloy reel fittings, Factory correct throughout. This really is a little Wisp of a rod built for the smaller streams and rivers of Derbyshire or anywhere worldwide you can find to fish it. Correct length, good tight ferrule, it’s seen hardly any use and will be a joy to fish.
Warranty
Split cane rods are very strong but occasionally like any rod breakages do occur. Rods purchased from Thomas Turner benefit from our 12 months ‘all-risks’ warranty.
The post Split Cane (Bamboo) Fly Rods appeared first on Thomas Turner Fishing Antiques.
Continue reading...
We are big fans of rods made from ‘nano technology’ and whilst these have undoubted advantages for some forms of fishing, we would suggest nothing beats split cane (bamboo) as the material of choice for a dry fly rod.
There are multiple reasons for this:
Feel
There is no better material for feeling what is happening at the fly or lure end of the rod. An advantage of graphite is it absorbs movement and dampens vibrations. This is great in something like a golf club shaft but for example when casting a dry fly or retrieving a lure it is useful to ‘feel’ exactly what is happening at the business end.
Ideal for Short-Range Casting
Split cane rods excel at casting short to medium distances, making them well-suited for fishing in tighter areas, like small streams and rivers. The slow action and flexibility of split cane rods facilitate a gentle presentation of the fly, which is of special benefit when dry fly fishing for example.
Light and Flexible
Whilst the weight of split cane even when hollowed out, might be an issue in long salmon fly rods with rods in the 2 weight to 7 weight categories this is much less of an issue. A few hours with a light dry fly rod can be an absolute joy.
Value
In today’s market pre-owned split cane fly rods represent incredible value. With premium modern fly rods costing over £100 a foot it is possible to buy a well-built split cane rod for often little more. Also it is unlikely to drop in value if well looked after.
Heritage and Aspiration
For an enormous part of our angling heritage from Halford to Richard Walker split cane rods have been discussed on the river-banks.
Split cane rods represent a heritage craft, with each rod requiring a high degree of skill to build and yielding a handcrafted feel and aesthetic appreciation.
Many of us will have aspired to own a split cane rod when younger but price would have been a major hurdle. Hopefully not so much with the prices of pre-owned rods today. Time perhaps to buy the rod you aspired to when younger?
Modern Tapers and Actions
Bamboo rods are ideal for gentle casting in dry fly fishing and small streams because they generally have a slow action compared to modern rods and an unmatched feel when casting or playing a fish.
If you prefer a faster action some newer cane models, with modern tapers, can offer a surprisingly fast action, offering a good blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern performance.
Excellent examples we have in stock include:
A very fine and rare, beautifully presented two piece bamboo fly rod by Rolf Baginski. The rod is just 3′ 7″ and weighs just 2.2oz (60 grammes!). Fine dark honey coloured cane with alloy S shaped guides, Swiss style silver ferrule and wood reel seat with nickle sliding reel fittings. Rod inscribed with makers details and ‘Speziell fly’.
A stunning little Foster of Ashbourne The Wisp, 6’ 6” two piece vintage split cane bamboo fly rod in best collector condition. Line #3/4. Honey colour cane with guides whipped gold tipped green. Bronze suction ferrule with original polished wood and cork stopper. Keeper ring, 8” slim cork handle with light alloy reel fittings, Factory correct throughout. This really is a little Wisp of a rod built for the smaller streams and rivers of Derbyshire or anywhere worldwide you can find to fish it. Correct length, good tight ferrule, it’s seen hardly any use and will be a joy to fish.
Warranty
Split cane rods are very strong but occasionally like any rod breakages do occur. Rods purchased from Thomas Turner benefit from our 12 months ‘all-risks’ warranty.
The post Split Cane (Bamboo) Fly Rods appeared first on Thomas Turner Fishing Antiques.
Continue reading...