Fishing Bamboo - Sassy and Outdoorsy

Fly Fishing is an art. Fly fishing with bamboo…is creating a masterpiece. I was first introduced to split cane rods at a river cleanup. I have to admit my first time casting boo was a disaster! Fishing bamboo is so different from anything else. It forces you to slow down and to feel your cast. That is part of what makes bamboo so beautiful and makes you a better caster. Not to mention when you feel that fish at the end of your line with a split cane rod, you will be forever addicted!

The finesse of bamboo is unlike any other fly fishing rod. Sure graphite and fiberglass rods each has its purpose. You probably won’t find me fishing for stealhead with a bamboo rod. I’m likely to grab my graphite. However, when it comes to trout fishing in the 3-5 wt range, bamboo is my first choice.

If you’ve fished your grandpa’s old bamboo pole, you might be thinking “I just don’t get it.” Bamboo has come a long ways from our grandpa’s rods. One of the best bamboo makers out there, Larry Donahe of Donahe Split Cane Rods, described fishing older boo rods was like driving a bus, and the new rods were like driving a sports car. Modern bamboo is lighter and faster.

Bamboo rods are a work of art. It’s maker is a true craftsman who has probably spent 50-80 hours building the rod. The rod is created with a natural flex that self-loads and outperforms any graphite rod. It is the superior rod for dry flies, and its natural power fibers running through the rod allows you to hit those longer distances.

Split cane rods are available in several different tapers. These tapers change the feel of the rod, making it faster or slower. My two favorite tapers are the Paul Young Midge and the Garrison 204E. The midge is a tiny little rod perfect for small streams, but powerful enough to cast to those harder to reach places. The Garrison is a 4 wt rod that is a powerhouse. It also helped me learn to cast bamboo because of its moderately fast action.

So that guy that introduced me to Bamboo on the river… Yeah I married him 4 years later. He’s also the “best maker” who described fishing new boo like driving a sports car. 😉 Thus the heart on my favorite boo rod pictured above!