Split cane fly rod

M

MickJack

Senior Member
I 'inherited' a beauty when I was young. There is something grand about a cane rod! It went missing some time ago though.

As a hobby, it would be great to make your own. You would probably make several before you got the weight/action that you want though!

The tools/jigs etc. would cost a small fortune, so it would probably be better to buy one, if you arn't gonna take it up as a hobby or sideline business!

If I remember right, they are made from Tonkin Cane, which you have to source from China.

If I had access to the tools and forming jigs, I would love to make another one.

Check out http://www.thomaspenrose.com/bamboo.htm

Cheers
 
M

MickJack

Senior Member
If you buy one, try get a Hardy or Orvis.

Hardy were the classic bamboo rod makers.

Theres probably a 2nd hand market out there on the net!

Cheers
 
M

MickJack

Senior Member
So when we going too un-landlock you? Try a bit of salt stuff!

I use a stealth graphite for salt, dunno if a bamboo can be made for heavier weight!

(Haven't fly fished for a couple of years myself....since losing my good reels and stuff!)
 
M

MickJack

Senior Member
Old and cheap doesn't matter.

Our Grandfathers used to catch more and bigger fish on bamboo poles, wooden reels and catgut line.

Cheers
 
M

MickJack

Senior Member
Land Locked wrote:
.........
But i'm still itching to make one or two or three........
Click to expand...

I'm a bit of an arty crafter myself, woodwork and stuff! It could be interesting, and probably very rewarding, building one (no, at least three, before one would be happy with the result) . I can't afford the time right now, but maybe we could pursue this idea! I don't think theres any local resources/support/suppliers so could be a tad expensive to get started.

Keep me informed if you take the idea any further. I'll read up a bit more too.

Cheers
 
M

MickJack

Senior Member
By the way LL, have you built any rods before?

I ask because for many years, I, my Father and my Brother made up all our own rods from blanks. I've probably bought only a few rods ready made up since starting. Somehow people just don't seem to have the free time these days.

Now I'm getting ideas...............'Pimp My Rod' or how about 'Rat Rods'.
 
L

Little Green Fish

Sealiner
Guys

Reading your posts........ THIS IS PASSION!!! You's got me to think about this venture of Creation of cane rods, imagine the thrill, to land a fish on your the cane rod that you yourself created in conjucntion with a fly you tied yourself?

Caught with my own tied fly's before and that was such a proud moment, imagine doing the same, but added is your own cane rod?

Happy Hunting those LGF's

LGF
 
L

Little Green Fish

Sealiner
the gears might be a littttttlllle tricky but the rest should be a piece o cake, let me know when you've completed the reel, would love to see it
 
L

Little Green Fish

Sealiner
Land Locked

I recall seeing a cane rod (can't really remeber what kind) in my younger bro's cupboard, he inherited it from his dad that passed away some 13 years ago and if I'm not mistaken it was his dad's when he was a kid.

I remember that the line used in tying down the eyelids is a little worn and the varnish (I presume that's what the rod was covered in) has also deteriorated to a very large extent.

Now the Q is, do you think it'll be possible to restore it? and if so, would it be financialy viable? would it be worth the time, money and effort spent?

Happy Hunting those LGF's

LGF
 
M

MickJack

Senior Member
LGF

Even if he doesn't use it, i'm sure it would look better mounted up on a wall on display, even in a tattered state, rather than in a cupboard. Especially with an old reel attached!
 
L

Little Green Fish

Sealiner
Yip

The thing is, he inherited from his dad that died when he was only 4 years old and he's now 18, maybe now's the time to help him to understand the value thereof, even if it's just to mount it.

BTW, there's unfortunately no reel that came with it, so Land Locked, Please Hurry with that Reel?

Happy Hunting those LGF's

LGF
 
M

MickJack

Senior Member
LL / LGF

Heres a pattern for a reel you can aspire to.........when will you have it perfected?

 
 

Attachments

  • FlyReel.jpg
    FlyReel.jpg
    57.5 KB · Views: 189
F

fobyfo

New member
A good cane fly rod is just about the finest tool you can use to present a fly to a fish. And there is absolutely no reason to believe that it cannot lay out a long line should the occasion require it. If I were you I'd source the cane, glue, reel seat and eyes from the States. There are a good number of suppliers and Google is your friend. It is not really a hit and miss affair, as there is a selection of tapers available on the net and many amateur/small-volume builders will surely help out. I think a 7ft 5wt would be a good start

I reckon the most difficult step would be to make your own planing forms and there Thomas Penrose's site is the best by far. Getting in contact with the chap behind Freestone Rods might also be time well invested. Best of luck and keep us posted with your progress!

 
 
S

SouthFly

New member
Depends how the thing was stored, split cane rods require special storage, like any piece of wood, they are susceptible to creep. Take a piece of wood and flex it, if you keep it in that same position for long enough it takes that shape and doesn’t return to it’s original shape.

You would have to import your split cane from overseas, I think that there are suppliers that provide pre shaped sections so you don’t have to sit and plane the different sections to perfection to get them to match.
 
G

Gordie

New member
Hi

Cane rods Makers

I have used a 1965 9ft 6wt Hardy's all my fishing life and the interest in cane rods started me off making my own cane trout rods. I am making rods for own use but once I have more time, I will start offering rods for sale.

I spent some 2 years of my spare time manufacturing the various machines and tooling needed , managed to import some tonkin cane and am now in the process of completing 1) 4wt 8 ft and 2) a matched pair of 3 piece 8ft  6wts for my son and I

Cheers

 

 
 
Z

ziggy

Member
Now here is a sad story - a few years ago a guy at work said that he had found an old rod on the top of a built in cupboard in the house that he had just bought from an old lady whose husband had died - and wanted to know if i would I want it (he knew that I I liked fishing).

I told him to bring it in. About a  week later he brought it in - an antique Hardy split cane rod - all I remember that it was a three piece with a handle with very old looking brass fittings with that antique looking writing on it  - with Hardy's W and some numbers imprinted on it. It was in a velvet cover and a leather case. It was in beautiful condition -  EXCEPT for the fact that the top section was broken  in two and quite splintered.  The guy said that he had given it to his son to play with the day before - and he broke it while  runnning around the garden whipping shrubs.....

If no-one was looking I would have cried! I told him to give it back to his son so that he could destroy the rest of it......maybe a mistake?
 
G

Gordie

New member
Hi

Yes that was a mistake as cane rods can be repaired by a number of methods:

gluing at the break by opening up the splinters and inserting glue,

by splicing in a new section

or by rebuilding a complete tip. 

All depends on the extent of the  damage to the rod.

Many of these older rods are usable but in many cases wear and abuse over the years makes them better "wall hangers" on your museum wall. The modern cane rods built with modern glues etc are a better bet for fishing

Cheers

 
 
G

Gordie

New member
Hi
quick up date on split cane rods, the R $ exchange rate has made a huge difference to the cost of importing components from the States. Decent nickel silver ferrules are now between R300 and R 600 each, cork at R 300 per handle, set of eyes at R 200 to R 300. Anyone know of local stock?
I am still making some rods and have 2 6wt 8' rods drying at present, with some 8 x 3 piece rods awaiting the day my budget can handle 16 imported ferrules, Or when I start to make my own ferrules
Gordie Durban
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top