I picked up a split bamboo rod today. Any suggestions on restoration? It is still in reasonably good shape and is missing only one ferrel. The Cork handle is intact and there is no oxydation on the hardware. It is in a galv steel rod case. I would like to revarnish and rewrap guides but don't want to disolve glue holding rod together. <P>Any help would be much appreciated.<P>Thanks,<P>ARMJR<BR><p>[This message has been edited by ARMJR (edited March 15, 2001).]

I just noticed this post, it looks like there's not too many people interested in cane rods. I'm working on getting a Montague "Flash" back into shape. You say its missing a ferrule, is it a three joint rod? Or do you mean one of the guides is lost? Since all of the hardware and reel seat is in good shape, the rest should be easy. If you must replace a ferrule then measurements of the diameter of the ferrule station need to be taken, and a set of male and female ferrules need to be ordered. If its only a guide you con get one. Although I'd check all the guides and see if they all need replacing. Often older flyrods have small diameter guides to accomadate the silf and nylon lines of 50 or more years ago. Today's lines cast and shoot better with larger guides. One tip is to take the rod to a fly shop and have them give you a good idea of what you must do to restore the rod. Let me know how you make out.

Once the varnish on an older cane rod is chiped, the wood has a tendency to dry out. In most cases this is not evident until the rod is fished, and then it may be too late, and you end up with a broken rod. You are correct in being very careful in stripping the old varnish, most of the older rods are glued with animal glue thet can be sofened with any number of solutions. Most of the old rod makers scraped the old varnish with a piece oh broken glass, you have to be very careful not to break any of the cane fibers while doing this as the vast majority of the canes strength is in the very outer edge of the triangle.

What is a split Bamboo rod worth?

It depends on the maker and the quality. I have a couple from South Bend and I guess they are worth like, say, $20-$30. Others from notable makers can draw lots of money. Most, however, were sold through stores like JC Penney, Wolworths, etc. and not collectable.

You`r correct I know..Bought one at a antique store in Crystal Falls, Mi. a few years back.. The local Warden had passed, and it was part of the excess being sold off by the family..Don`t know the make, came in a aluminum carry tube, with three extra tippits. In excellent shape..I just had to have it..paid $135.00 for it. Also had a Martin auto reel..Ever see one? bought that too..$30 bucks..

Yup, I have a Martin automatic reel too. One of my South Bends has a second tip that is thicker than the fly fishing tip and had a different line guide at the tip-top. Someone told me that this is a trolling tip ???

I have no idea on that one..mine are of different lenght..I believe for different weight lines produced back then..Don`t know why one couldn`t troll with a fly rod..never seen it done.

They used to make rods with several different tips, sometimes, and reveresible handles, also. I have a few of them. Some have a wet and dry tip, and one has a heaveir tip for useing a levelwind and BAIT??!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />
I blew a Martin auto up on a pike when I was about 18 years old. Spectacular!
Never did get another, though. Have had a couple of multipliers, also. They are pretty neat...
Catnthehat

There does not seem to be a lot of interest on this site regarding bamboo fly rods; this is after-all, a shooting forum. A Little search on Google regarding bamboo fly rods, should return more than enough information on what you're looking for.



A long time ago, I was a fan of bamboo fly rods and bought an Orvis Battenkill, 7'/7'-3 fly rod. I still have it and only fished it a couple of times. It has a fairly soft action compared to the carbon fiber rods available today and may not be the the best material available from the standpoint of casting ability.



It is however, a work of beauty, something to truly behold and one of the finest things that I have ever owned made by the hands of man. My old fly reels are in the same category, they haven't caught many fish but they are beautiful mechanical marvels and a delight unto themselves.



Fly-fishing isn't just about catching fish, it's a mindset about how we interact with nature; a special aesthetic regarding the outdoors.



The best expression of this principle was one long sentence written by John Voelker, who, in the pen name of Robert Traver, wrote the Testament of a Fisherman:







John Voelker died several years ago. He was a Michigan native like me and loved Trout fishing, especially in the Upper Peninsula, whose streams he fished and haunted until he died.



To this day, I raise a toast to him each time I cast a line upon the water. Drinking good bourbon is the least I can do in his memory.

I troll with my flyrod.. I just kick around in my float tube letting my fly drag through the water waiting on the perch to hit... I have an old montague too, it is in good shape except for the lost ferrule . Im getting a SS ferrule set turned.