Bamboo Fly Rod - in Modern Fishing

In Modern Fishing

Bamboo rods are somewhat susceptible to damage and warpage if stored incorrectly. The varnish finish can nick or become checked from too much sunlight over the years or too much heat. Despite all the extra care required to maintain these natural fiber sporting goods, they are still valued by many anglers today, because of the way they cast. Quality bamboo fly rods and their rod tubes were made by highly skilled craftsmen using the best quality canes, reel seats, nickel silver fittings and cork. These rods often maintain good condition even after decades of use if stored correctly.

Bamboo rods produce a smooth, fluid backcast which provides its own 'damping' effect at the end of the backcast. The forward cast accelerates the line throw through the air with the same 'damping' effect at the beginning of the cast, and then again at the end of the cast as the caster lays the line out over the target water—generally with smooth, precise placement. The synthetics can produce a somewhat similar powerful backcast and forward cast, but they lack the subtle 'damping' effect consistently produced by the bamboo rod in the hands of a skilled caster.