This may have already been done to death, but nonetheless I'm just wondering what are the favoured bamboo spey rods out there?
al44
I'm not sure if you could have a favourite bamboo spey maker - unless you had extremely deep pockets and lots of time on your hands.
I may be wrong but I'd say in bamboo speys, unlike their graphite counterparts, it's unlikely you'd have someone with a range of rods from different makers.
I would think it more likely that you would find a maker that ticked all your boxes and you stuck with him / her throughout.
I have rods by a maker in the list above by sinktip but the others are as well known, one much more so than the others when I first got into these bamboo speys.
I feel lucky that I got some of his works that I did at the start of his professional career as the delivery times have increased exponentially as his popularity and reputation increased. I would never have been able to assemble the collection of his rods that I have were it starting today, purely by the sheer amount of time I would have had to wait to achieve it, and that second hand rods of his almost never turn up.
I may be wrong but I'd say in bamboo speys, unlike their graphite counterparts, it's unlikely you'd have someone with a range of rods from different makers.
I would think it more likely that you would find a maker that ticked all your boxes and you stuck with him / her throughout.
I have rods by a maker in the list above by sinktip but the others are as well known, one much more so than the others when I first got into these bamboo speys.
I feel lucky that I got some of his works that I did at the start of his professional career as the delivery times have increased exponentially as his popularity and reputation increased. I would never have been able to assemble the collection of his rods that I have were it starting today, purely by the sheer amount of time I would have had to wait to achieve it, and that second hand rods of his almost never turn up.
Found a second hand 11ft 5/6w Riverwatch for surprisingly good value on the giant site that auctions stuff. Must say it is a dream to cast and not too heavy given the shorter length. Certainly has eased my angst of wait time for the custom build of a Reid. 13 more months...I can do it....patience.
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Its not a spey rod per se but I found a nice ten foot 5/6 that somebody expertly converted into a two hander. Its a 1956 Skinner and Reid in PERFECT condition. The person who did the conversion also put new REC guides on it. Its a classy little two hander. Not exotic but classy and it attracts some attention from the bamboo guys that i run into. Also, its age is fun to think about when Im hooked up. Whats not to like about a 62 year old rod that is still landing fish?!
Attachments
Favorite rod
The rod in the following post is the one I fish with most often, It is ugly but it performs great.
https://www.speypages.com/speyclave/59-rods/72693-pia-bamboo-spey-rod.html
My second choice is a four piece, 13' travel rod. See the link below.
https://www.speypages.com/speyclave/59-rods/89274-bamboo-travel-spey-rod.html
Jerry
The rod in the following post is the one I fish with most often, It is ugly but it performs great.
https://www.speypages.com/speyclave/59-rods/72693-pia-bamboo-spey-rod.html
My second choice is a four piece, 13' travel rod. See the link below.
https://www.speypages.com/speyclave/59-rods/89274-bamboo-travel-spey-rod.html
Jerry
Though I haven't experienced the rods of any of the other bamboo spey makers established or new, of the rods I have of my chosen maker James Reid, my favourite (though a few contend for that title) bamboo spey rod is his 12' #8 Winter Run.
When I commissioned him to make this rod for me, I asked that the cosmetics be of his choosing - a James Reid Favorite. The flaming on this rod is exquisite - a deep rich colour and completely contrasts but complements his mint green wraps with dark green tipping. Added to that his trademark dark walnut spacer and his own designed Mk1 seat and blued rings and agate stripper, it's a stunning rod.
However good it looks though, it's to date the one I reach for in most situations as it just feels so great when casting with its regressive taper; it's totally at home casting floating lines or tips and reaches to distant lies with ease.
When I commissioned him to make this rod for me, I asked that the cosmetics be of his choosing - a James Reid Favorite. The flaming on this rod is exquisite - a deep rich colour and completely contrasts but complements his mint green wraps with dark green tipping. Added to that his trademark dark walnut spacer and his own designed Mk1 seat and blued rings and agate stripper, it's a stunning rod.
However good it looks though, it's to date the one I reach for in most situations as it just feels so great when casting with its regressive taper; it's totally at home casting floating lines or tips and reaches to distant lies with ease.
Attachments
Regarding a favorite bamboo spey rod; the Hardy Wye series have a reputation for being very good casting rods and were made in a variety of lengths.
I have a few old Payne, F E Thomas, plus other Hardy spey models, including a couple of Wye's - as a variety of old 'camp rods' found their way to me from a noted salmon lodge complete with cloth bags, original labels plus repair labels from the 60's and 70's. One rod, apparently unused vintage F E Thomas 3pce salmon rod was also buried in the pile.
I managed to cast one or two rods (of the 20 or so) and indeed liked the crisp action of the Wye's. So proceeded to make a hollowed 11' version of my own, which is a comfortable rod to fish and my favourite so far, see pictures attached.
There are few professional rod makers out there who make bamboo spey rods, the list of three mentioned earlier being about it in N America. Two of the three makers (to my knowledge) being keen spey fellows themselves on the Canadian West Coast.
Spey type rods, or indeed any bamboo rods longer than 10' (UK style coarse rods for example) are quite epic to plane and make by hand, the sections being 'brawny' in size to straighten and work down. Much expensive cork is used and the large reel fittings are pricey, to make or buy in. Ferrules (which I prefer) used can also be expensive and heavy, although there are suitable alternatives.
On the other hand, there are a number of top notch 'hobby' makers who make a variety of bamboo spey type rods mostly for their own use, some who develop their own tapers, others trying out published tapers.
Bob Clay described modern spey rods, under 12' or so, being light and easier to cast than some of the older 'line lifters', especially if they are hollowed.
Malcolm
I have a few old Payne, F E Thomas, plus other Hardy spey models, including a couple of Wye's - as a variety of old 'camp rods' found their way to me from a noted salmon lodge complete with cloth bags, original labels plus repair labels from the 60's and 70's. One rod, apparently unused vintage F E Thomas 3pce salmon rod was also buried in the pile.
I managed to cast one or two rods (of the 20 or so) and indeed liked the crisp action of the Wye's. So proceeded to make a hollowed 11' version of my own, which is a comfortable rod to fish and my favourite so far, see pictures attached.
There are few professional rod makers out there who make bamboo spey rods, the list of three mentioned earlier being about it in N America. Two of the three makers (to my knowledge) being keen spey fellows themselves on the Canadian West Coast.
Spey type rods, or indeed any bamboo rods longer than 10' (UK style coarse rods for example) are quite epic to plane and make by hand, the sections being 'brawny' in size to straighten and work down. Much expensive cork is used and the large reel fittings are pricey, to make or buy in. Ferrules (which I prefer) used can also be expensive and heavy, although there are suitable alternatives.
On the other hand, there are a number of top notch 'hobby' makers who make a variety of bamboo spey type rods mostly for their own use, some who develop their own tapers, others trying out published tapers.
Bob Clay described modern spey rods, under 12' or so, being light and easier to cast than some of the older 'line lifters', especially if they are hollowed.
Malcolm
Attachments
Hardy's 1937 catalogue described the Wye's as:
The "Wye" Salmon Rods.
The 12 1/2 and 13 1/2ft are stout double-handed rods with plenty of power. 10 1/2 and 11 ft are strong, single handed rods, which can be comfortably used by men of a fairly powerful physique. The handle is made extra long, so that when desired they may be used double-handed.
Specification.
Action. Butt action, powerful rod for long casting, will spey cast.
(other specs. including joints , rings etc.)
Weights. all without buttons.
10 /2 - 11 ft. 10 1/4 - 12 1/4 oz.
12 1/2' 18 oz.
13 /2' 22 3/4 oz.
Prices (1937) ranged between 8 pounds sixteen shillings to 11 pounds nineteen shillings for the longest, not inexpensive for the period.
Note, while possible to cast even a hollowed 11' Wye for a few moments, single handed it would take quite the 'physique' to keep it going any longer.
Two sets of removed Lockfast joints from a Wye weigh 45 grams. I made my replica with lightweight 'drawn' N/ S ferrules weighing a total of 30 grams for both sets, the same weight reduction gained from hollowing.
Steel centres in Hardy rods were found to add little to the rod, only adding weight and rusting away in time.
Malcolm
The "Wye" Salmon Rods.
The 12 1/2 and 13 1/2ft are stout double-handed rods with plenty of power. 10 1/2 and 11 ft are strong, single handed rods, which can be comfortably used by men of a fairly powerful physique. The handle is made extra long, so that when desired they may be used double-handed.
Specification.
Action. Butt action, powerful rod for long casting, will spey cast.
(other specs. including joints , rings etc.)
Weights. all without buttons.
10 /2 - 11 ft. 10 1/4 - 12 1/4 oz.
12 1/2' 18 oz.
13 /2' 22 3/4 oz.
Prices (1937) ranged between 8 pounds sixteen shillings to 11 pounds nineteen shillings for the longest, not inexpensive for the period.
Note, while possible to cast even a hollowed 11' Wye for a few moments, single handed it would take quite the 'physique' to keep it going any longer.
Two sets of removed Lockfast joints from a Wye weigh 45 grams. I made my replica with lightweight 'drawn' N/ S ferrules weighing a total of 30 grams for both sets, the same weight reduction gained from hollowing.
Steel centres in Hardy rods were found to add little to the rod, only adding weight and rusting away in time.
Malcolm
Sharpes scottie bamboo fly rods
My favorite brand will be Sharpes Scottie rods (durable and cheap) I have them from 11' to 14' feet and the 12' #8 or 8/9 is the one I like the most because it's not to heavy to use over longer periods and it can handle a spey line or a scandi, no problem shooting line for distance if needed..
My favorite brand will be Sharpes Scottie rods (durable and cheap) I have them from 11' to 14' feet and the 12' #8 or 8/9 is the one I like the most because it's not to heavy to use over longer periods and it can handle a spey line or a scandi, no problem shooting line for distance if needed..
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