Qualities of a Bamboo Fly Rod
What Makes Bamboo Fly Rods So Popular?

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Qualities of a Bamboo Fly Rod What Makes Bamboo Fly Rods So Popular? By Ramsey Lynn

With all of the other options on the market for fly rods, such as graphite, and even the classic fiberglass, why would an angler really want to drop down $2,000 or more on a bamboo fly rod? If you're asking yourself this, then you may already be on the market for one, but having a tough time bringing yourself to turn over your hard earned money.

Bamboo possesses quite a few qualities that differentiate, and truly set it ahead of the pack in terms of materials used to construct fly rods. Take a look below at what you should be seeing, or what you can expect from your new fly rod should you choose to use it out on the stream.

1 - Smooth Casting: The split cane construction of these fly rods provides an incredibly smooth casting stroke. It literally feels like a hot knife sliding through butter, throwing an incredibly flat loop. If you've never thrown a fly with bamboo, then you owe it to yourself to give it a shot.. just be careful. Bamboo is expensive, and once you use it, you may not go back to cheaper materials.

2 - Sensitivity: Some days fish just do not want to hit a fly like a freight train. Who knows how many fish we've lost from light lipping fish taking the fly and spitting it back out before we ever realized it? Bamboo is ultra sensitive to these sorts of "pickups" and will alert you to your targets presence, giving you the chance to set the hook. Fiberglass is close in sensitivity, and graphite doesn't stand a chance, but for the ultimate in feel, bamboo is where it's at.

3 - Strength: Swelled rod butts help with fighting fish on all types of rods, but the split cane and hollow tube construction used on bamboo rods, along with swelling the rod butt, ensures that you have the backbone required to fight the fish with confidence. You have to pay more attention to your form with bamboo than other materials, because it's not quite as forgiving to beginners mistakes, and is likely to snap if you apply too much pressure, to a focal point that is high towards the rod tip.

5 - Nostalgia: Want to be taken back to the days when your grandfather was throwing nymphs on the stream? Bamboo is the quickest way to do it. Most models on the market today are exact replicas of production models that became timeless. Continuing on with their successes from years past is how manufacturers are ensuring they can still sell the more expensive bamboo rods. After all, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?

For years, manufacturers have attempted to put together composite materials that possessed all of the qualities of bamboo fly rods, but unfortunately, they have all fallen short once finished. There is a strong reason why bamboo has been used for so long, and why so many craftsmen still continue to take the time to hand craft each rod put out for sale. A bamboo fly rod is a great addition to any collector or hardcore enthusiasts' collection.

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