.
.
Today I visited with my brother. He said he had something to show me. I knew that he made split bamboo fly rods. He has been doing that for a number of years now. I also knew he was making his own fly rod cloth cases that held each section of the rod and fit into a rod case.
But he really surprised me today when he showed me his handmade leather rod tubes/cases.
So I thought I would share some pics.
Attachment 323190Attachment 323191Attachment 323192
He has done all the cutting, sewing, staining etc himself. The stitching is by hand! :)
.
.
In the first and second pic can see one of the rods he has made plus the cloth bag for the rod sections.
.
.Here are some better pics of the rods. He makes all the components and even the laser engraving.
Attachment 323193Attachment 323194Attachment 323195
.
.
.
He had an unusual tool on the table which I had not seen before. He said it was a Tuttle Taper Taker! :)
His group of rod makers likes to take measurements of other rods so they can try to duplicate or improve upon them.
The device is connected to a RS232 port which feeds into some software he wrote. It is accurate to 1/1000th of an inch.
It can read the diameter at many different points along the rod.
A very cool tool!Attachment 323196Attachment 323197Attachment 323198
and a couple more pics .....
.
.
.
.
Attachment 323199Attachment 323200
.
.
I will post a pic of my brother once I edit his picture. :)
I'm no fisherman but that looks quality work anyone would be proud to own. Thanks for sharing.
Bob
Beautiful work.
Good split bamboo rods make razors look cheap. 30 years ago, a "nice" one was $800.
Does he sell them?
He has some serious skills.
I’m no fisherman, but I can certainly appreciate the quality of his craftsmanship.
Well I'm a fisherman, and that is first class work.
I had a couple split bamboo fly rods as a kid. One got broke by a big ol' catfish, the other by a largemouth bass. Twas my own fault for using them improperly.... Or maybe they just weren't up to the task that I put them to. Like the wrong weight rod, for the application of larger flies and poppers, for bass, pike, and steelheads. :gaah:
Stunning craftsmanship.
Pete <:-}
Occasionally he will sell one. It is not a business but rather a hobby for him that has been going on for 20 years now.Quote:
Originally Posted by rolodave
.
By the way, each of the leather rod tubes/bags is made for a specific rod's length . Thus no sloppy movement.
If you want to contact him just send me a PM.
Yes, amazing work. As a leatherworker i can really appreciate the craftsmanship of those tubes. I there a seam the length of them? Nice rods too BTW,
Your brother is an incredible craftsman, Randy (as are you-it must run in the family). To master numerous materials and crafts like that is just amazing. Though I have fly-fished for years, I never tried bamboo, only modern graphites. As I like slower rods, I'm sure I would love bamboo.
I'd be afraid to carry one that nice into the streams I fish, which often require bushwhacking (with the occasional broken tip over the years).
Yes, there is a seam the entire length. I apologize for not taking a pic of that.Quote:
Originally Posted by tintin
My brother will appreciate your comments. :) He has mastered my different skills and that pleases me a whole bunch. I cannot compare with him on that but thanks for the compliment.Quote:
Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad
Just out of curiosity, what weight rod do you use? 3 wt, 4 wt etc? and what kind and size of fish do you go after?
Great to see these old crafts kept alive.
They are a work of art.
Fly fishing is really popular in New Zealand and the old split bamboo rods are very collectible.
That’s pretty amazing Randy. Thanks for sharing.
.
.
.
And here is the stitching
.
.
Attachment 323275Attachment 323276Attachment 323277
Those rod tubes are something else :tu
As for the rods you'd have to send me one to test before I could comment :roflmao
Wow!!! Amazing work, my dad loved fly fishing and had a few ok to nice fly rods but nothing like those!!!
Amazing. A colleague at work picked up fly fishing recently so I will be forwarding the pics.
Aloha!
I'm a huge Fly Fishing aficionado and these rods are stellar to say the least. I have been Fly Fishing all over the West, from the Green River in Dutch John, Utah, to the Provo River in Utah to the San Juan River in New Mexico and I'd have loved to try these rods out while there. And the cases? Wow. Just amazing.
Thanks for sharing this craftsmanship with us.
